Have to agree with Mirrorblanks on this one (lol for once) DA is the only way to smooth plastics correctly, I have personally seen filler crack in boot lids, rub strips and all kinds where people have not done the correct prep work.

As for discs you can get 40 grit right up to 2000, there is disc above and below but you wont need them, infact I've never used 40 grit myself as it is far too abrasive for bodywork. You get discs with holes in that match the pads, company's such as Wurth, Kent, Indasa, 3M all make them its quite a standard fitment now.

With DA's you tend to get what you pay for, DA's like sealey we can kill in about a month, however for the DIYer who is only going to use it now and again they are probably ok.

1 thing also to be noted that if you want to suck the dust away, which you will the sander needs to be attached to a sanding hoover, or an exhaust bag to catch the dust.

I find sanding extractors work alot better than bags personally as they suck the dust away rather than relying on the sanders exhaust to clear it.

Also just thought you will have to make sure you buy a sander with the correct pad with holes in for extraction, not sure if they still make the none holed types anymore? We have been using extraction on our sanders for longer than I can remember so couldnt say if they still make them without, just make sure the one your buying comes with extraction

personally i don't use anything under 100 grit

I would use 80 grit on something like an old transit that needs bogging up, 120 is what we would use 99% of the time for first sand of filler

With plastics I wouldnt hit them with anything rougher than 180 grit at any time though as once you have roughed up the plastic its difficult to return it to a nice smooth finish

100 is lowest i use on anything, usually 120-140

nothing lower than 180 on plastics

Just had a look on ebay, avoid something like this if you want to remove the dust that cloggs discs: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6-D-A-AIR-SANDER-DA-...0#ht_806wt_1165

It has no exhaust, the dust will just sit there and you will end up rubbing it all over whatever you are sanding.

This is more the type of design you would be better of using:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PRO-5-SELF-VACUUM-RA...#ht_4933wt_1165

However at that price I cant imagine its much of a sander to be honest

Iv got a wanky clarke DA and it was fine smoothing the texture off on the bupers, used 80grit. Then abit of high build , another sand with 800 and then 3 coats of primer and 2 paint. Looks wicked, sander cost me £20 with all the pads and £10 for the paint.

BOOM!

Pure blond moment tbh.

Got DAs at college i could use lol.

Ok Mr perfect

X2

prick

To be fair, you come across as an overly patronising know-it-all. Can't really be arsed with another clubpolo keyboard war though so that's all I'm saying, your posts back my point up, so whatever slagging match between us ensues, people can form their own opinions on us both. (thats if they even care - which they wont...) Out.

i know what i'm doing, you don't,

i give good advice, you don't

end of!!!!!!

propper lol at you

propper lol at you

hmmm ok

whats with the beef?

When i said 'mr perfect' could no1 sense the sarcasm?

If tht dude works at a body shop id say he knew what he was doing lol