Semroc Cherokee D Build, Part 8, Wet Sanding Tips

Here's something I learned when wet sanding clear finishes on some homemade banjos.

The Cherokee D is a BT-55 based rocket standing almost 22" long.
The entire model was wet sanded using that one small piece of 400 grit sandpaper.


TIPS: Keep your sandpaper wet but not dripping wet.
Let the sandpaper soak in the water for a few minutes. Shake off the excess water and lightly sand a small area.
Dip the sandpaper back into the water. You should be able to rub most of the sludge off with a finger.
The water will help keep the sandpaper from loading up with the rough paint you are taking off the model.

As mentioned before, you are just removing the tops of any small paint "bumps" or "orange peel."
Before wet sanding you should have enough paint on the surface so you don't risk sanding too deep and into the body tube or balsa.
When wet sanding you are just taking some of the top surface paint off, not going down to the bare rocket surface. Leave a color coat of paint on the rocket!