Author Topic: to water or not to water (Read 16701 times)

xrayjay · « **on:** March 18, 2015, 11:14:25 AM »

what's the purpose of using water when sanding? to save the pad you're using? or is it better than dry sanding.

I started working with the spinner in 2004 and I've always used a spray bottle with waters. lately, because I don't have a sink available, I dry sand all my stuff.

but is there a difference at all? I doubt there is, but you guys know more than me.

Gene J Kanak · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2015, 11:39:12 AM »

I'm no expert on this either, but I would think wet sanding is preferred because it keeps the powdery residue (from the sanding process) from building up on the sandpaper or sanding pad. When that dust builds up, it provides something of a barrier between the true grit of the pad and the surface being sanded, which would keep the pad from cutting through to its full potential.

JohnP · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2015, 11:58:41 AM »

Sanding wet keeps you from breathing the dust, that's the main benefit I've found. -- JohnP

BallReviews-Removed0385 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2015, 12:32:50 PM »

Water acts as a "lubricant" so the abrasives don't "cut" as much. Our spinner has a water flow that I use (from a pump inside a bucket) and it's invaluable as far as I'm concerned. It also helps clean up the sanding lines after cutting plug. Just more options available because you can adjust the flow, or only use it when needed, or not at all.

I also use water to dampen the towel while polishing to create more friction and shine better, in my opinion. If I used a spray bottle like many of you do, it would get used a bunch.

charlest · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2015, 01:09:31 PM »

Quote from: JohnP on March 18, 2015, 11:58:41 AM

Sanding wet keeps you from breathing the dust, that's the main benefit I've found. -- JohnP

***** +1,234, 568
You don't want to breathe resin or urethane or polyester or rubber dust!!!!!

It does act as a lubricant, as well, allowing a more even finish. Even when doing a hazing with an abrasive pad, I dampen it before hand rubbing.

lefty50 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 18, 2015, 01:19:51 PM »

Please save your hate mail... I probably won't be jumping back into this thread, but although I hear the message, I've ALWAYS, 100%, all the time, forever, etc... seen a big difference between wet sanding and dry sanding. I've asked before "why"?... No good feedback in that area. It's been a consistent result though... Puzzle for the ages.....

xrayjay · « **Reply #6 on:** March 18, 2015, 01:49:09 PM »

Inhaling the dust particles is a conern. When I last worked on the spinner, I had the fan on, but it prolly made it worse spreading particle in the air.

I'll have to go back to wet sanding just to avoid this. My Doberman is always next to me too when working in the garage. hate to see him sneeze hehehe

charlest · « **Reply #7 on:** March 18, 2015, 02:40:26 PM »

Quote from: lefty50 on March 18, 2015, 01:19:51 PM

Please save your hate mail... I probably won't be jumping back into this thread, but although I hear the message, I've ALWAYS, 100%, all the time, forever, etc... seen a big difference between wet sanding and dry sanding. I've asked before "why"?... No good feedback in that area. It's been a consistent result though... Puzzle for the ages.....

without water, you get closer to the grit specified on the pad, but yo ustill need to be careful about pressure and all that rot. Without water, the grit/abrasive will wear out quicker; so, for instance, a 4000 grit pad may last 1 -2 use, where with water it lasts 3 - 4 uses. Water is a lubricant;never forget that. As such, the girt applied with water is slightly, I repeat slightly finer than that specified. I mean water is not like using oil, which will really buffer the abrasive from the surface being changed.

Without water, you breathe in the resin and will get cancer.
Enjoy the water or the cancer! Your choice.

charlest · « **Reply #8 on:** March 18, 2015, 02:41:48 PM »

Quote from: xrayjay on March 18, 2015, 01:49:09 PM

Inhaling the dust particles is a conern. When I last worked on the spinner, I had the fan on, but it prolly made it worse spreading particle in the air.

I'll have to go back to wet sanding just to avoid this. My Doberman is always next to me too when working in the garage. hate to see him sneeze hehehe

and wear some kind of gloves every time you apply any liquid, polish, compound or chemical to your equipment!!!! Every single freaking time!!!!
Be macho and be dead.

xrayjay · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2015, 02:50:07 PM »

I choose water hehehe...

3 to 4 uses for a pad?? which pad is that? I use just siaair and I always have a new pad of each grit to compare to the ones I use. and I get double that..

Quote from: charlest on March 18, 2015, 02:40:26 PM

Quote from: lefty50 on March 18, 2015, 01:19:51 PM
Please save your hate mail... I probably won't be jumping back into this thread, but although I hear the message, I've ALWAYS, 100%, all the time, forever, etc... seen a big difference between wet sanding and dry sanding. I've asked before "why"?... No good feedback in that area. It's been a consistent result though... Puzzle for the ages.....

without water, you get closer to the grit specified on the pad, but yo ustill need to be careful about pressure and all that rot. Without water, the grit/abrasive will wear out quicker; so, for instance, a 4000 grit pad may last 1 -2 use, where with water it lasts 3 - 4 uses. Water is a lubricant;never forget that. As such, the girt applied with water is slightly, I repeat slightly finer than that specified. I mean water is not like using oil, which will really buffer the abrasive from the surface being changed.

Without water, you breathe in the resin and will get cancer.
Enjoy the water or the cancer! Your choice.

xrayjay · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2015, 02:56:18 PM »

I always use gloves everytime I work on the spinner.

I might even start using my MSA toxic dust respirator that I use when I pull a Tim Allen and take the blower to the garage......

Quote from: charlest on March 18, 2015, 02:41:48 PM

Quote from: xrayjay on March 18, 2015, 01:49:09 PM
Inhaling the dust particles is a conern. When I last worked on the spinner, I had the fan on, but it prolly made it worse spreading particle in the air.

I'll have to go back to wet sanding just to avoid this. My Doberman is always next to me too when working in the garage. hate to see him sneeze hehehe

and wear some kind of gloves every time you apply any liquid, polish, compound or chemical to your equipment!!!! Every single freaking time!!!!
Be macho and be dead.

charlest · « **Reply #11 on:** March 18, 2015, 03:46:40 PM »

Quote from: xrayjay on March 18, 2015, 02:50:07 PM

I choose water hehehe...

3 to 4 uses for a pad?? which pad is that? I use just siaair and I always have a new pad of each grit to compare to the ones I use. and I get double that..

The 4000 grit pad.

Quote

Quote from: charlest on March 18, 2015, 02:40:26 PM
Quote from: lefty50 on March 18, 2015, 01:19:51 PM
Please save your hate mail... I probably won't be jumping back into this thread, but although I hear the message, I've ALWAYS, 100%, all the time, forever, etc... seen a big difference between wet sanding and dry sanding. I've asked before "why"?... No good feedback in that area. It's been a consistent result though... Puzzle for the ages.....

without water, you get closer to the grit specified on the pad, but you still need to be careful about pressure and all that rot. Without water, the grit/abrasive will wear out quicker; so, for instance, a 4000 grit pad may last 1 -2 use, where with water it lasts 3 - 4 uses. Water is a lubricant;never forget that. As such, the girt applied with water is slightly, I repeat slightly finer than that specified. I mean water is not like using oil, which will really buffer the abrasive from the surface being changed.

Without water, you breathe in the resin and will get cancer.
Enjoy the water or the cancer! Your choice.

Aloarjr810 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 18, 2015, 04:03:51 PM »

Wet vs Dry Sanding

This ball was sanded with the same grit, left-dry sanded, right-wet sanded.

Wet sanding produces a more sheen like finish, water acts as a lubricant to a point so the cutting isn't as aggressive.

Also wet sanding helps keep the dust and friction heat down, the water also helps reduce buildup of the cuttings in your pad/paper which let's them cut better and last longer.

Wet sanding is pretty much the standard when using a home spinner.

Dry sanding is a bit more aggressive and will give you a duller surface. But you get more friction which generates more heat and the pad can load up which can reduce the effectiveness of the cutting.

xrayjay · « **Reply #13 on:** March 18, 2015, 04:09:02 PM »

^^^^^^

wow, I had fun throwing that ball...

Thanks for the pics....

D Pat · « **Reply #14 on:** March 18, 2015, 04:17:39 PM »

Hey addik, there are three main benefits to using water IMHO:

1. Smoother, more consistent coverstock finish/grit (less sand lines when using sandpaper, too)
2. Less dust particles in the air
3. Prolonged life of sandpaper/abralon/scotch brite due to reduced friction when using water

DP

Author Topic: to water or not to water (Read 16701 times)

xrayjay

to water or not to water

Gene J Kanak

Re: to water or not to water

JohnP

Re: to water or not to water

BallReviews-Removed0385

Re: to water or not to water

charlest

Re: to water or not to water

lefty50

Re: to water or not to water

xrayjay

Re: to water or not to water

charlest

Re: to water or not to water

charlest

Re: to water or not to water

xrayjay

Re: to water or not to water

xrayjay

Re: to water or not to water

charlest

Re: to water or not to water

Aloarjr810

Re: to water or not to water

xrayjay

Re: to water or not to water

D Pat

Re: to water or not to water