Hi everyone, thank you so much for all the information on this forum.
I have a 2005 Camry that I’m going to do a single stage paint job on. I am going to use 320 grit for sanding but I probably won’t be able to do it all in one day due to time constraints. My question is, how much time is acceptable between the sand job and shooting paint? The car is parked outside. Thanks in advance!

you can probably go several days. I know some like to not do that, but in your case I would get it all sanded then wash it real good with soap and water ( Dawn soap) use a red scotch bright pad to wash it with. 320 is a little cores, you might think about getting it all sanded with the 320 then go over it with some 400 - 600 grit.
Jay D,

badsix wrote:you can probably go several days. I know some like to not do that, but in your case I would get it all sanded then wash it real good with soap and water ( Dawn soap) use a red scotch bright pad to wash it with. 320 is a little cores, you might think about getting it all sanded with the 320 then go over it with some 400 - 600 grit.
Jay D,

Thank you for the advice Jay. I’m going to shoot the paint as soon as I can after I sand it. Just wanted to make sure it’s not too detrimental if a wait a couple days. On that note, what would happen if I just did 320 grit?

cruisinusa wrote:

badsix wrote:you can probably go several days. I know some like to not do that, but in your case I would get it all sanded then wash it real good with soap and water ( Dawn soap) use a red scotch bright pad to wash it with. 320 is a little cores, you might think about getting it all sanded with the 320 then go over it with some 400 - 600 grit.
Jay D,

Thank you for the advice Jay. I’m going to shoot the paint as soon as I can after I sand it. Just wanted to make sure it’s not too detrimental if a wait a couple days. On that note, what would happen if I just did 320 grit?

We do not know what paint you plan on using, what type of paint ? Basecoat ? Single stage ?
Metallic ? Solid ?

he did say S/S but that's all we know, color? if you use the 320 your going to see sand scratches in your new paint.
Jay D.

PainterDave wrote:

cruisinusa wrote:

badsix wrote:you can probably go several days. I know some like to not do that, but in your case I would get it all sanded then wash it real good with soap and water ( Dawn soap) use a red scotch bright pad to wash it with. 320 is a little cores, you might think about getting it all sanded with the 320 then go over it with some 400 - 600 grit.
Jay D,

Thank you for the advice Jay. I’m going to shoot the paint as soon as I can after I sand it. Just wanted to make sure it’s not too detrimental if a wait a couple days. On that note, what would happen if I just did 320 grit?

We do not know what paint you plan on using, what type of paint ? Basecoat ? Single stage ?
Metallic ? Solid ?

I am going to use Acrylic Enamel single stage solid jet black by TPS. The car is currently burgundy

with the black you had better use the 600 paper. are you going to activate the acrylic enamel? you say the cars outside is that where its going to get sprayed?
Jay D.

Back in the "old days", 320 grit was the standard for final sanding for
acrylic enamel. For today's formulations, I too would go with 600 grit
just to be on the safe side. Especially with black. Definitely use a
hardener with the acrylic enamel, for higher gloss, better durability,
and a shorter recoat window in case repairs are needed.

I'm curious as to why you chose A/E instead of urethane single stage?
Nothing wrong with it, it's just an older technology than the newer
urethanes. Sometimes 50's and 60's cars look better with the same era
A/Es on them...

badsix wrote:with the black you had better use the 600 paper. are you going to activate the acrylic enamel? you say the cars outside is that where its going to get sprayed?
Jay D.

When you say activate you mean hardener? If so, then yes. the A/E comes with a hardener I will be mixing it with. And yes the car will be sprayed outside.

Thank you.

NightTrain wrote:Back in the "old days", 320 grit was the standard for final sanding for
acrylic enamel. For today's formulations, I too would go with 600 grit
just to be on the safe side. Especially with black. Definitely use a
hardener with the acrylic enamel, for higher gloss, better durability,
and a shorter recoat window in case repairs are needed.

I'm curious as to why you chose A/E instead of urethane single stage?
Nothing wrong with it, it's just an older technology than the newer
urethanes. Sometimes 50's and 60's cars look better with the same era
A/Es on them...

To be honest, I thought all single stage paints were the same. Thank you for the info about 320 grit.