What grit for plastic pre-clearcoat?

[MoNk]

Wanting preferably a professional opinion since I will probably end up going to a pro for the clear, depending on cost.

How high a grit should I sand my tail lights without jeopardising a clear coats hold?
I am restoring my MR2 gen3 tails to new.

I have sanded my tails 400 and 600, have 800 ready but haven't done it yet.

Here is a before and after from the guide I am following. He used 1000 grit before spraying, but I have heard that is too fine.




Another guide I have read says sand 800, paint, light sand 1000 grit, clear coat, polish.

Guides for reference;
http://www.mr2oc.com/showthread.php?t=256740 (may have to register to read)
http://www.corrado-club.ca/mods/tailtints.html

Thanks!

[Akane]

They swear by using sandpaper but I've had success with "G3" Polishing compound.

[MoNk]

They swear by using sandpaper but I've had success with "G3" Polishing compound.

I need to repaint the black edge tint, so I had to wet sand. The paint would never hold on the polished surface.

Top light after 400 grit. Bottom light was the better looking of the two.



Before bottom;


Will show the after on completion

[Bling]

Hah! Saw your car Riccarton the other night and laughed at the plate

[MoNk]

Hah! Saw your car Riccarton the other night and laughed at the plate

Heheh I quite enjoy watching people in my rear view mirror trying to work it out.
You know the deviant minds when people just look and laugh straight away. :p

[tsoob]

id use a wet 1000

[MoNk]

Waiting a bit longer for it to dry, then sanding and clear soon.
The masking tape I used left sticky crap everywhere - FFS!

[celica_xr9145]

Are they finished yet mate? Keen to see before and after.

[MoNk]

It was a f'ing disaster.
I bought new lights lol.

I sprayed the clear and it ate the paint. I couldn't be bothered sanding back the clear again to restart after spending so many hours on it. They will be on trademe soon

[Akane]

LOL!

Should've bought some gen 2 lights and tried it on that first.