With all the recent topics of block sanding and wet sanding, I wanted to add one of my own. I'm ready to start the final sand of my car and I'm going to be wetsanding. My question is this; How wet is wet enough? I mean, do you dip the paper in a bucket now and then, or keep a hose running on it the whole time, or use a sponge or spray bottle? What's the best thing to do?

I use a squeeze bottle and a little soap,keep in 5 gallon bucket to refill bottle. Do one panel at a time rinsing it with clean water as ya go. My .02 Mike

The more water the faster it will cut and the easier it will be to see the guide coat being removed. Keep in mind that the tools being used must be kept clean of any foreign abrasives, don't drop you sandpaper or sponge on the floor and continue sanding without making sure they are completely clean. One piece of silica, sand,dirt, or similar can cause some nasty scratches in a hurry. It usually takes me about 16-20 hours to final block a car to where it is ready for paint,(show car) that's with two applications of guide coat and a final grit of 600. Take your time and make it perfect before apraying the paint, your efforts will be rewarded.

I use a continous stream from the hose. Keeps the paper clean and washes off the little specs that get under your paper.

Soaker hose or piece of hose with pin holes works for me !

Well it won't be a show car but I don't want all this work to go crap either. I think I'll rig up a "soaker hose" deal and try working with that. Using a really light touch, and letting the block do the work, how much paper might I expect to go through? How much can be done before changing the paper? This is the point in time when I really wish I had some experience here. It's not that I'm a perfectionist...I just don't want to screw up everything I've done so far.

You will be surprised how far the paper will go as long as you keep it cleared with water. Check the paper once in a while to make sure you don't have any buildup. If you do, trash that piece and get another. Start with 5 sheets of 1000 and 2 sheets of 1500 and 2000. Also, sand in a straight line. Do not go in circles. When you buff it, buff accross the sanding marks. Not in line with them. Your buffing will go much faster.
Another trick is to allow the paper to soak in water for 5 min or so before you use it. Makes it more pliable and less likely to scratch or load up. A little liquid dish soap is supposed to help, but I can't tell any difference.

If things don't appear to be going well, stop and find out why not. Don't be like me and have to get it done now.

Another tip is to periodically dry the sanded area with a towel to see if the high spots are gone. You don't want to sand off any more material than necessary. If the dry surface is smooth and consistently dull (no little shiny spots), stop. When wetsanding clearcoat, if color starts to appear on the paper you've just screwed up and gone through to the basecoat.

Just wanted to point out the obvious here, I'm assuming you are finish sanding primer... right? Several of the post are talking about color sanding, just didn't want you to try and sand primer with 1500 ;)

If your sanding with 400, depending how rough the primer is?? I would say about a full sheet per panel. Cut the sheets in half, do not fold them 4 ways so it rubs against itself or you will dull the paper before you even start sanding!! If you go the soaker hose route maybe a spray bottle with some dish soap might help. If ya really want it clean after wetsanding go over everything with a grey scotchpad and Scuff Stuff (mild cleaner with some abrasives) or Ajax will work also.Hose off well and let dry overnight. Mike

You're right guys, I'm sanding primer and I'll go with 400, and I think I'm going to go with a homemade soaker hose that'll put water down the whole time. I've got plenty of paper so I won't hesitate to trash one and move on. When you talk about the scotchpad, is that an abrasive pad by 3M? I have a few 3M pads but they don't feel abrasive. I think they're just a flexible sanding block, and they're a different color on each side. Thanks to everyone for all the advice. I'm willing to listen to what everyone has to say.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=58198&item=3839795128&rd=1 These are similar to what I am talking about.They carry a red which is about 320 grit, the grey I'm guessing 1000 and a white which is very fine!!! Mike