Wolverine Rocketry Phoenix AIM-54A Build Part 21 Wet Sanding

After spraying the fins with the first coat of white, I had some sanding marks and near "sand-throughs" showing. It looks like I didn't smooth enough with the 400 grit after the initial sanding with 220 grit.
These rough areas will need to be smoothed out.

After the color coats have started, you can consider the wood to be sealed well enough for some wet sanding.
Wet Sanding isn't really WET!

Dip some wet and dry sandpaper in water and shake off the excess water.
Sand a bit and wipe off the "mud" with a paper towel.
Be very aware of the body tube ends, the inside bare surfaces can absorb water and swell up!

When I wet sand I'm only knocking down the surface a little bit. Don't sand down to bare wood - just lightly take off the "top" of the painted surface.
To put it another way, you are dulling the gloss paint a little.

Maintain the sharp tapered edges you've already shaped.

Notice in the picture the edge of the sandpaper only goes up to the sharp edge.
Not over the "ridge"

When I'm wet sanding, I don't sand over the edges. They'll take care of themselves.

This is the same fin after wet sanding.

Near the trailing edge you can see the balsa starting to show through.
I almost sanded to far here. If water gets into the wood fibers you'd probably have to prime and sand again.

After re-shooting with the white you can see the difference.

The flash makes the surface look "pebbled". In person the finish is smooth.