paint questions

[1979C20]

Alrighty. I've finally just about got the mechanical part of my truck rebuild finished up. I am looking to begin sanding and priming. What grit sand paper would you recommend for initial sanding before primer? I am planning on just running it with black or gray primer for a while. Arizona, so I don't have to worry about rust. Also, kind of off topic, but could I use some 2x4 with a hole drilled in it as my upper body mounts, temporarily? And, would you guys recommend painting the inside of my bed? I would love to spray on or roll on bed liner it at some point in time. And, should I remove my bed for painting purposes? I'd really rather not, but I want a thurough job. It is my daily driver though and I drive it literally every day.

[three8six]

You don't have to "remove the bed" take it loose and just slide it back a few feet. Also if you're using a DA I'd use 320 for prior to priming. Maybe even once with say 120, then 2nd time with 320, at least on the areas that require more work.

[Da67goatman]

I used 320 grit to scuff my paint for primer and some places it didn't stick, so I would recommend a 220 grit for scuffing.

[jaredts]

If you use a high build primer you can usually get away with 180 grit on a da.  That depends on the primer you're using.  You can cover 80 grit scratches with some primers.  If this is going to be rattle can or something without high solids you'd better take it to 400 grit or do a test spot to see what scratches it will fill.  A piece of 2x4 will split--it isn't worth doing all that work and not putting in the correct bushing while you're there.  If you want a bedliner someday than I would just rattle can any imperfections or bare spots and bedliner when you're ready.  I agree about just sliding the bed back, although removing it would make things easier if you can.

[1979C20]

Alright you guys, thanks. Ill probably grab about 300grit and go to town. It would be rattle can primer and then gravity feed paint gun and paint in the future.