Need a bit of help painting 90% there - HELP...

[george graves]

Here is the short version:

- Mech-1 wing, was blue
- sanded down with 500 to scuff up the clear coat
- found some pin holes, and filled.
- primered, sanded, found a few low spots filled and block sanded again
- re-primered, ever thing looked good (learned to use my finger tips to "feel" for bad aeras) - . sanded with 500 - very proud of my self at this point...
- shot color(rattel can), sanded with 1000, then 1500. Whoops, I burnt into the primer on the edges
- re-shot color, and sanded with 1000, then 1500 - smooth as a baby's butt
- shot clear a light spray of clear, then 10 mins later a deep coat.
- lots of orange peel
- sanded with 1500. orange gone.
- shoot clear again, then shot again

between each coat - I cleaned with mineral spirits, and a tack rag...

This is where I'm stuck. It's glossy, but NOT smooth.

I "cheaped out" on a trip to walmart and got some "turtle wax" rubbing compound, two different kinds. Both seem to be more abrasive (or leave deeper scratches) then 1500 does.

I lightly hit part of it with 1500, then tried to polish...all I got was a shinny part with scratches under neath.

I know I need to go from 1500 to a polish, but that is where I am lost...it seems at if 1500 makes the surface uniform, but going from sand paper to rubbing compounds is the problem... I don't know...

Advice? Please?

Thanks in advance...

Advice ???

[Keith M]

1500 takes forever to buff out by hand. Try going to 2000 then 3000 then compound.
If you had access to a buffer life would be easier.

K

[td325ic]

Well, I'm sure everyone will have their own way of doing it and preferred compounds but this is what I'll recommend.

First, take a look at these tutorials on computer case spray painting, it's exactly the same process as what you're doing and it will very helpful in answering your questions.

case mod 101: how to paint your computer case (part 1)


case mod 101: how to paint your computer case (part 2)


CASE MOD TUTORIAL
Spray paint your PC case and give it a mirror finish

Case Mod: Qmicra v2 SFF Computer Case Paint Job Video (sorta helpful video, skip the first 5 min to get to the painting part)


So what I'd recommend you do, if you're on a budget, is buy some 3M Perfect-It II Rubbing Compound or similar. The one I have is 05973. You can get this at Automotive paint stores but since they are probably closed today, I'm pretty sure Napa auto parts and West Marine also carry 3M compounds.


Then pickup a cheap car buffer at Sears or OSH, and some terry cloth bonnets for the majority of the work. A few microfiber towels and Meguiar's foam pads are good for polishing by hand and buffing off the finish.

If you're willing to spend more money and go all out then take a visit to Autogeek.net and buy a Porter Cable 7424, various foam pads, some Poorboy's World compounds and polishes and I think you'll be all set. This is definitely an expensive route to go but getting a proper buffer like a Porter Cable 7424 and some good foam pads will make a big difference in the quality of finish you can get. It's a good investment for the future and I pretty much guarantee you'll love your Porter Cable after you see what it can do.

If you're looking to spend under $50 and just get this project done, then getting a cheap $30 buffer and some 3M Rubbing Compounds should give you a glossy finish, maybe with some fine hazing, but it should get it pretty good. Just be careful because the Rubbing compound is pretty aggressive so I'd be hesitant to use it on the rest of your car's body. Also be sure to wipe off any splatter or residue within a reasonable amount of time. Protect trim and rubber from the compound as it will be difficult to remove if it dries.

[george graves]

Thanks guys, I picked up some 2000. And I'll pick up some good 3m rubbing compound (or the like) this week. That cheap $3 turtle wax stuff is awful.

[moatilliatta]

that 3m compound will be expensive. and if you get a buffer, the pads and the "special" backing plate will also be expensive.

[td325ic]

The 3M compound shouldn't be to expensive. The 16oz of the Perfect-it II Rubbing Compound should be in the ballpark of $13 or less. 16oz of the Swirl Mark Remover should be about the same.

See here:

3M 39002 Perfect-It II Rubbing Compound, 16 oz - 9002

3M Perfect-It Swirlmark Remover 39009, 16 oz


And for this project, I'm sure a cheap $20 - $30 random orbital buffer from Pepboys or Sears would do the job. Obviously not as well as a Porter Cable but better and quicker than doing it all by hand.