Guide to Sanding (Get Rid of Metal Rust and Paint)
You know it like the back of your hand when you think about metals; words like sheeny and candescent flow into your mind. Because that’s how we want metals to look like, right! To maintain its bedazzling feature, we need to smooth its outer surface so it becomes rust or scratch-free. This process of restoring a faded metal is known as sanding.
Sanding metal is a technique that all DIYers should know. But if you didn’t have an idea about how to sand metal then no worries! As you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to guide you with some of our easy steps.
Why do metals need sanding? A valued question surely has an answer! Well, the most vital thing to maintain the surface is to keep it rust-free. The more you leave the rust on the surface, the more it gets difficult for you to get rid of it. Additionally, if this prolongs then you won’t be able to re-use the metal again. Another facet of sanding is to cast away the old paint, scratches, and unwanted color. Hence, sanding is important for a smooth and uniform surface.
Let’s dive in without further hassle!
What Up-To-Mark Tools You Should Know While Sanding?
For this procedure, you can go for the electric or manual one as per your choice. The power sander comes in various forms including, orbital sander, belt sander, finger/file sander, finishing, and oscillating sanders. Every sort of grinder is rated by light, medium, and heavy-duty works. On the other hand, before using sandpapers you need to check out its grit number. Below we’ll give you full insight into what are these tools and how you can use them to sand your metals.
Just scroll down to get to know!
What Is The Absolute Way To The Sand Metal Via A Random Orbital Sander?
Before we sink into the steps you should know what is a random orbital sander? Random Orbital Sander is a minimal tech that is applicable for leveling the outlook of a metal swiftly. But don’t judge its functioning by its size as it can even a huge surface area with immaculate finishing. The best part? It isn’t costly at all and it is considered as the most flexible of its kind.
Remember: Use a metal grinder instead of a sander first, if you want to eradicate large chunks from metal.
So, there are seven steps to sand metals using an orbital sander. What are they? Have a look!
Step 1:
Wear your PPE first, because remember that if you sand metal then it is sure that you need to deal with old rust. And sooner or later, while sanding, loads of dust is created and I’m sure that you don’t want to inhale that. That’s why I recommend you to wear your PPE-like shades and a mask.
Step 2:
Wash your metal before sanding as it is going to produce a lot of filth. So how can you clean the surface or what you should use to clean the metal? Go with white vinegar, water-shampoo formula, or rubbing alcohol to clean the metal. I assure you that this process helps to ease the whole process.
Step 3:
Mount an 80-grit sanding disc or sheet to your random orbital sander and get ready to start your sanding process. Make sure that in the initial stage you keep up with a coarse sanding disk. This disk can effortlessly remove the faded outer surface of your metal and vanish all the paint, rust, or scratches.
For the first few minutes reduce your speed and keep it in place. If you increase the speed in the start potentially it can either damage your metal entirely or if not weaken it. Just maintain your direction and carefully watch the pace so the sander uniform the metal surface.
Lastly, don’t stop sanding until you see the lustrous part of your metal. And when that gleamy surface reveals then give your sanding a stop.
Pro Tip: DO NOT AMPLIFY YOUR 80-grit disc usage. Or you do? Okay, never do this; immediately stop sanding when you see a glossy metal surface.
Step 4:
After the first step, jump right to the second one where you need to alternate the grit with a higher one i.e., from 80 to 200. So, you must be contemplating that why there is a need to switch it to a higher or finer grit disc. The disc if applied leave your metal to a more gleaming surface.
Step 5:
This power sander isn’t for narrow or tight spaces. Use manual sandpaper for corners where you see corrosion, scrapes, or paint remains.
Step 6:
For sure, you need to hit the last nail in the coffin and this is done with steel wool. It is vital to eradicate the spinning and you know what steel wool knows what to don with these fine lines. Just give a rub to your metal in a circular motion and polish it.
Step 7:
Make sure that after doing this whole process you cover your metal surface with a sealer. Because no your metal is raw and there is a chance that it will get affected rust again. Once your sealer is dried you can use your metal defo.
What Is The Absolute Possible Way To The Sand Metal Via Sanding Paper?
The sandpaper performs the same function as the random orbital sander but it just does it manually. Its coarseness level varies and here is the guide.
The sanding paper having grit of 36 to 100 helps to confiscate the remnant of paint. It shapes and even out the exterior of metal. Also, it takes away erosion and other inadequacies. The sandpaper having grit between 100 to 180 eradicate scratches and smoothens the surface. Last but not the least, this metal sander has grit between 180 to 320. By this, you can gain an ultra-finishing and mirror-like surface. Also, you can accomplish abrasion among layers of coats. This sandpaper grit chart helps you to choose among them according to the nature of your work. And be the mind of the fact that the higher the grit number the smoother the sandpaper is.
It also has the same seven steps as the random orbital sander.
Step 1:
Wear your PPE first, because remember that if you sand metal then it is sure that you need to deal with old rust. And sooner or later, while sanding, loads of dust is created and I’m sure that you don’t want to inhale that. That’s why I recommend you to wear your PPE, like shades and a mask.
Step 2:
Wash your metal before sanding as it is going to produce a lot of filth. So how can you clean the surface or what you should use to clean the metal? Go with white vinegar, water-shampoo formula, or rubbing alcohol to clean the metal. I assure you that this process helps to ease the whole process.
Step 3:
Initiate your sanding with 80-grit. Pro tip: sand metal parallels the grain and does this circular motion.
Step 4:
Eradicate the excess by switching the 80 grits to 200 one for a smoother finish.
Step 5:
Use small pieces of sanding paper for narrow spaces and corners.
Step 6:
Rub steel wool on the entire surface in a circular motion for a more even effect.
Step 7:
Make sure that after doing this whole process you cover your metal surface with a sealer. Because no your metal is raw and there is a chance that it will get affected rust again. Once your sealer is dried you can use your metal defo.
What You Should Consider While Amidst Sanding Metal?
There are some vital factors that you should know before doing sand metal. We are here to guide you for that. Be our scroll stopper, what say?
Give a shot to the best and the right sanding paper
You need to buy that sandpaper whose coarseness is fit for the type of metal you’re working with. Both should correspond as the proficiency of the and paper will determine at your work. If your metal surface is made of some organic stuff, then emery fits best for manual and power sanding. You can go aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, or Zirconia alumina as they are perfect to make shrill edges and, they have heightened longevity.
Have an absolute knowledge about the grit numbers
Sandpaper grit between 36-100 works well for eradicating almost all excessive chunks. But be cognizant of the fact that go slow first with this grit and maintain a pace in the start. Do not weaken the surface of your metal.
If you just want to smooth your metal’s surface then go with sandpaper grit between 100-180. And if you want a high-class polish finish then 180-320 is best. As you know that when the grit chart is high the sanding paper will get smoother so grit of 2000 or more is for a glass-like finish. Probably this is the last thing you need to do.
For best results try out the wet sanding technique
What is the impetus of wet sanding? Wet sanding is the technique that requires sandier with water or any available liquid to rub on the surface of your dull metal. The sandier must be on grit higher than 400. I recommend from 1000 to 2000 as by that you’ll get a full-on polish outlook. This one last bluff on the metal surface and there you go with a shinier one. By doing that even the paint bond itself with the surface of the metal. Remove those odds and slay with a sparkly surface.
FAQ's
If the above queries aren’t enough to burst your mind, then below, we’ve mentioned some others as well. Have a look at this list and solve the roaming puzzle!
The best way to sand metal is either to use sandpaper or a power sanding machine.
The gears of making sanding applicable are sandpaper which usually comes in varied grit charts, every grit frequency has its purpose. Second, if you have a large surface then a random orbital sander is perfect for you.
Choose the sanding paper for your metal surface
In the above, we already mentioned that sandpaper came in varying grits. You need to choose this vital staple aka sandpaper grit according to your work. There are many fine sandpapers available in the market. You can go for one of these:
- Mercer Industries emery cloth sheets have a grit of 80 and come in a pack of 50 sheets.
- 120-3000 assorted grit sandpaper by Miady came up with a pack of 36 sheets
- Dura-gold offers you an 80 to 1000 grit chart with each grit in a pack of 4; a pack of 40 in total.
- Fandeli sandpaper sheets come up with a pack of 25 sheets with grit numbers of 80, 120, and 220.
Yes, totally! This depends on the grit of the sandpaper. Sanding paper scratches your metal and removes all the excess debris or rust. Therefore, we always tell you about our golden tip i.e., go with less grit sanding paper. As if you raise the bar, you won’t be able to remove the scratch marks. Thus, start with a grit paper between 30-100, and when you see a shinier surface of your metal then go with the above ones.
Conclusion
I hope that this tutorial guide will help you that how to sand down any of your metal surfaces. I’m sure that if you follow our above step-by-step- guide then you’ll get a lustrous surface of your faded metal! So, we are waiting for your response please leave them below in our comment section.
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