Sanding: Wet or Dry?

[TheChronicOne]

Just curious! I've never really done wet sanding for whatever reason. Maybe because it's more messy? I don't know.. but anyway! I thought we'd just have a fun little poll and discussion.

Also, if you like wet sanding, what type of liquid? Plain water? Iso.?


Cheers!   

[Steel Penguin]

water from the paint brush washing glass,  what else?

[PR19_Kit]

Mostly wet in my case.

It's more controllable to my mind, either with wet-and-dry paper or my fave foam sponges. Having just come downstairs from a mammoth PSR session on the Monsoon and Vindicator wings I feel well qualified on this subject right now. 

Water's always worked fine for me, and I always keep a paper kitchen towel to hand to wipe the mess off every few minutes.

[TheChronicOne]

water from the paint brush washing glass,  what else?

Hey that's a thought! One reason why I've never really tried is I don't want to get up, put everything down, and climb up and down stairs to have to go get the water. I always have my brush water nearby though so, I'll remember that for next time.

[TheChronicOne]

Mostly wet in my case.

It's more controllable to my mind, either with wet-and-dry paper or my fave foam sponges. Having just come downstairs from a mammoth PSR session on the Monsoon and Vindicator wings I feel well qualified on this subject right now. 

Water's always worked fine for me, and I always keep a paper kitchen towel to hand to wipe the mess off every few minutes.

Ha! Pretty good timing for the thread here then.

I actually used a little bit of Iso. earlier because it was right in front of me and I thought, "What the hell." I was surprised at the "feel" of it and etc. It was quite nice and I'd like to do more wet sanding in the future.

Naturally, plain water is going to be fine, but I DO wonder if there are other things that could be used that would "boost" the process. Iso, vinegar perhaps, etc.. 

Anyway, wet sanding also extends the life of the sanding material if I'm not mistaken so I'm quickly becoming a fan.

[loupgarou]

I am quite surprised at the question. Since about 40 years I have considered wet sanding as "standard".
-More regular work, less scratches
-longer life of sanding paper
-no dust flying around
-no heating of the plastic or resin in heavy jobs

Yes. it's messy, but my workbench is messy anyway. AND, for heavy jobs, like freeing vacuform or sanding raised lines or unwanted rivets, I work directly in the kitchen sink, with a constant water arrival. I have a glass plate with wet-and-dry paper glued to it to ensure "straight" sanding when necessary.

[PR19_Kit]

Anyway, wet sanding also extends the life of the sanding material if I'm not mistaken so I'm quickly becoming a fan.

It certainly does, especially with the wet-and-dry faced foam sponges that I use. Every few minutes I stick the sponge underwater and rub the sanding face with one finger, much of the sanded material comes off and it's almost as good as new.

In this case the paint brush washing glass wouldn't be big enough mind you, and I've always used an old plastic micro-waved curry dish.

[scooter]

Mostly wet, some minor work dry.  And tap water.  Although, I have used sterile water and spare basin when sanding in an ambulance.

[kerick]

Wet sand over the basement laundry sink. Since my work place is in the basement it works out fine. I'll use dry for small areas or if something is assembled to the point water might get trapped inside.

[McColm]

I find a drop of washing up liquid in the water helps , as the wet and dry paper lasts longer and less clogging.

[zenrat]

Dry only for sanding.
Wet for polishing with a touch of WUL in the water.

[Hobbes]

I much prefer wet sanding. It seems to leave the sanded surface smoother, perhaps because the sandpaper clogs less.

I've got a plastic serving tray to catch the runoff, so the mess is contained. With dry sanding I get sanding dust everywhere.
The main drawback of wet-sanding is cold fingers.

[Librarian]

Always damp, occasionally wet. Keeps the dust down too from sanding filler. I use an electric Black and Decker Mouse for larger projects and spray the plastic with one of those old weed-killer bottles as the plastic can gum up on older, thicker plastic.

I'd hate to see the inside of my lungs...should really get a mask

[NARSES2]

Wet mainly, dry for the odd little job. Mainly over the kitchen sink but for small jobs then I use an old supermarket tub some meat came in. Mince I think ? Spag Bol ?  . Don't use a mask for this.

Resin and Miliput always wet and nearly always with a mask, sometimes forget even though it's right in front of me on the bench 

[Dizzyfugu]

Basically wet, because it keeps both the sanded surface and the sand paper clean and unclogged. Also less messy concerning dust. I use a small tub with water for the PSR process.
Occasionally I use only dry sand paper, though.