Help with bring paint back to life

[Whiteguy91]

So I bought my car and the paint feel so rough, dirty,and covered with crap.
Clay bar was useless was horrible with one swipe and same feel and dirt


So i wetsanded part of my hood with 1000 grit looked a lot better


So it felt like paint and removed so much dirt my car color changed...



Closer view


What can i do better? Advice? I have been searching around to see what i should do.

[cuchullainn]

1st off, STOP wet sanding immediately. Seriously, you didn't even use a sanding pad?

You obviously don't know what you're doing. Hopefully you didn't sand through the clear. Have the paint buffed by a pro. or just live with it until you repaint it.

[89AlpineM3]

I run a high end detail shop. The E30 was a single stage paint, no clear coat on top. Well all but a few metallic colors. That being said It's fine to wet sand it but it has to be done right. You need a sanding block and if you start with 1000 grit then you step up to 1500, 2000,2500, 3000 grit. Then it needs to buffed out using a 2-3 stage buffing, then sealed and waxed. It is a lot of work, the paint thickness should also be takin using a paint gauge before sanding. At this point find a good detailer and have them save the paint correctly, it cost a bit but you'll be happy with the result. Maybe stand around and watch and learn from them for next time

[Whiteguy91]

It looks like my whole car was resprayed and i am going to change the hood and fender cause they are dented so i was just learning and feeling out the clearcoat

[cuchullainn]

I thought all the metallics had clear coat? Either way, if it's a single stage metallic I'd advise against wetsanding.

[Whiteguy91]

Color code is bronzit beige metallic

[Skunkworks]

Get a block and go 1000,2000.2500,3000 and then get a polishing compound and a wax.

wet sand always change the water between grits, Then after 3000, Use a Varible speed buffer with a foam pad and compound, at about 1500 rpm, do the whole car and wash the pad and then repeat with wax, Stay away from the sharp edges. After that wash the car with Car wash soap to get the wax and polish slop off. Expect it to take 8 hours and about 100 bucks in materials