I like ones that do not deplete the checkbook and work well so I buy from astro tools. 80 grit for prep. brands dunno for sure but I have been using Indasa papers..

Sam

 

Your going to get lots of opinions on what is best. It really all comes down to what you want to pay. With this sort of thing, you get what you pay for when it comes to sanders. Hutchins is top notch if you are willing to dish out the cash. But I've been using a farm hand brand from Tractor Supply for years now with great results. (for 80 grit only). I seldom use the da after my first coat of primer unless the customer is wanting "cheap work". You will find that hand sanding with various shapes/sizes of blocks will always give better results.

I found a snap on palm da that I use with a soft backing pad (A MUST FOR CLEAR COAT CUTTING) and it has worked fine for me. Although I've used many other brands that gave the same results but only lasted a year or two. (Harbor Freight comes to mind).

As far as paper goes.. I stick with 3m, Summit Racings shop brand (cheap), or whatever I have on hand. It doesn't really matter what brand until you get to the clear cutting and buffing imo.

also... don't expect to use a da on the entire car for cutting your clear. There WILL be lots of hand sanding that will require the use of different blocks also.


You may have known all of that, but I thought I'd tell you just in case. The most important thing about prepping a car before you paint is the use of guide coat. If you have never used it, or would like to know how, just ask.

Lots of guys on here (including me) would be glad to give you some pointers.

Hope I've helped

 

Norton makes best sandpaper period. It outlasts any other sandpaper I've used. Of course it's priced accordingly

 

I like

Astro tools and Norton sp also.Ive tried them all and Norton makes the best dry sandpaper hands down!

 

So which 2 Hutchins or Astrotools or whatever sanders should I get, I kinda get confused looking at them all. And for sand paper I guess Norton Champagne is the way to go, but they don't have sand paper for over 1500 grit, which I would probably start with then I was hoping for a 2000 and 3000. I've seen youtube videos where people even put a weird foam 4000 grit on the DA to finish off.

 

Dynabrade 69010 and then use a Dynabrade 69040 for cutting the clear coat
3M Hookit green corps, gold , finishing film and trizac discs.

 

The Best sander for cutting clear is your hand , a soft block, a rubber squeegie and water...Giving a newbie a sander for clear is a sure fire way to screw everything up and they are only for production anyways...
As far as the paper goes in the finer grits 1000 -2000 a newbie wont notice any difference between them you'll need about twenty sheets or so.
Hutchins will always be the best sander on the planet at around 350.00 but IR has one thats also extremly good for half that price. I gotta admit I rarely use my hutch any more because the IR wieghs so much less and works so well but the pad is also very important the IR needs a better pad for finish work and as far as I know they both only come with pads that use sticky paper ,velcro pads and paper are the best ...
For sand paper I really prefer Fandelli for all grits...made in Mexico
Just my own personal opinions

 

I like the Dynabrade brand in finishing DA sanders they seem so smooth and quiet and don't use a lot of air.
I agree so much with DBM when it comes to hand sanding though, One could get the best overall results starting with 80gr on a block to knock old paint off (saving prior filler work sometimes) all the way to 2000gr to perfect the final coat of clear when it gets there..

Was just talking about sand paper in this tube yesterday :thumbup:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Milogarage?feature=mhum#p/u/1/h3TO_Nwb5Lk

 

Okay so that really makes me think that the Dynabrade 69010 and the Dynabrade 69040 are the way to go. But what papers should I get? I'd prefer Velcro ones for the DA and I'd want an 80, 180, 240, 320, 400, 600, 1000, 1500, and some grits above that. As well as some sand papers for hand sanding in 400, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000/ 2500.