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What is your grit choice and sandpaper type that you like when sanding a plastic model smooth for painting?

I use a small metal file and a knife for removing mold lines and rough areas if that's what you mean.

Arson Fire wrote:I use a small metal file and a knife for removing mold lines and rough areas if that's what you mean.

I had a Space Wolves emblem that I have revove2d from a drop pod with a chisel tipped Exacto Knife. I want to get the marred area as smooth as possible before I prime it. With wood, 5you choose a rough grit paper and then work your way incrementally to a finer grit. I was just wonder what grit I should use for plastic. I may not have to use the incremental approach that you must for wood, but a grit would be nice to know.

I usually remove excess with a #10 curved x-acto blade, then start wet sanding with automotive black sandpaper. Start with 220 grit then go to 320, 400, and 600 or 800 if you really want it smooth. If you want a glass smooth finish you'll have to keep going with 1000, 1500, 2000 and so on and finish with plastic polish. I usually only do that for clear canopies and such.

It sounds like a real pain in the butt, but if you have a selection of grits and a small bowl of water it goes pretty quick. I try to fill obvious seams on vehicles with super glue and accelerator, then sand them down. I usually do several tanks at a time, and use 1" squares of sandpaper till they wear out.

Be aware that if you are looking for a flat surface, that's one of the toughest things to accomplish. Your fingertips won't be able to sand a perfectly flat plane. Flat finish paints will help.

Good luck!

I'm usually happy with 400 grit followied by a rubdown with 000 grade synthetic steel wool