Best way to finish off/fix new paint job?

NordiX · 04-15-2003, 06:38 AM

I painted up my sideskirts JDM-syle grill the other day using Dupont base and clear coats. I'll spare you all the boring details, but they turned out quite good!

Except for one problem, the wind decided to pick up (gusted pretty bad actually) just as I was putting on the first few coats of clear... and some dust, hair, fuzz (you get the idea) from outside manged to get entangled into the clear coat... So now I have these beautifully painted parts... with crap in the nice shiny clearcoat. (I did 6 coats of clear BTW)

Looking at it, I am thinking that if I just wet-sand everything down with 1500-2000 grit to knock some of the surface junk off and smooth over the rest, it will be quite salvageble. But here's where I get lost...

After sanding everything, how do I shine everything back up? Do I need to use a mild abrasive rubbing compound on this new paint? (I don't think I should...) Or should I simply use a mildly abrasive polish to buff everything back out, ...or are both of these strategies a bad idea. Any paint gurus out there who can give some guidance?

Thanks in advance.

efongabonga · 04-15-2003, 12:53 PM

Autopia for all your detailing q's

NordiX · 04-15-2003, 01:40 PM

Did that before I even asked this question... but I'm still not sure of what the best approach for my situation is.

I have an idea of what to do based on what I learned on autopia.com... (and I listed those theories in the original post)... but before I commit, and possibly screw up all the hard work/expense I just put into this project, I just could really use the advice from someone who is experienced in automotive paint-work. ...that is what this forum is for, is it not?

phat pat · 04-15-2003, 05:23 PM

6 coats of clear that is a lot of clear. You should have pletty to cut and buff. You are right sand the clear wet with 1500 2000 grit. Sand untill smooth but don't sand threw the clear or you will be repainting. Start buffing with a heavy compond and work your way to a light polish.

NordiX · 04-15-2003, 06:23 PM

I was told that you can never have too much clear on there... you can always cut it back down. But it sucks if you dont have enough... and right now I'm glad I went overkill.

Use a heavy compound eh? That won't cut down the top layers too much? (I suppose it's only a dozen or two strokes with the compound though, right?)

I'm feeling impatient, so I might even tackle this tonight.

I'll stop off at Pep boys on the way home and pick up some supplies.

Do you recommend I get the compound and both a medium and light abrasive polish? Or can I squeek by with multiple passes of the light polish? Is there any particular type applicator/buffing pad you would recommend?

Thanks a ton for the help phat pat... I feel much better about taking this on now that I have heard a second opinion.

04-15-2003, 06:38 AM	#1
NordiX Scooby Newbie Member#: 33439 Join Date: Feb 2003 Vehicle: 2003 WRX WR Pearl Blue	Best way to finish off/fix new paint job? I painted up my sideskirts JDM-syle grill the other day using Dupont base and clear coats. I'll spare you all the boring details, but they turned out quite good! Except for one problem, the wind decided to pick up (gusted pretty bad actually) just as I was putting on the first few coats of clear... and some dust, hair, fuzz (you get the idea) from outside manged to get entangled into the clear coat... So now I have these beautifully painted parts... with crap in the nice shiny clearcoat. (I did 6 coats of clear BTW) Looking at it, I am thinking that if I just wet-sand everything down with 1500-2000 grit to knock some of the surface junk off and smooth over the rest, it will be quite salvageble. But here's where I get lost... After sanding everything, how do I shine everything back up? Do I need to use a mild abrasive rubbing compound on this new paint? (I don't think I should...) Or should I simply use a mildly abrasive polish to buff everything back out, ...or are both of these strategies a bad idea. Any paint gurus out there who can give some guidance? Thanks in advance.

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04-15-2003, 12:53 PM	#2
efongabonga Scooby Newbie Member#: 32618 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Brooklyn/Hoboken Vehicle: 2002 WRX	Autopia for all your detailing q's

04-15-2003, 01:40 PM	#3
NordiX Scooby Newbie Member#: 33439 Join Date: Feb 2003 Vehicle: 2003 WRX WR Pearl Blue	Did that before I even asked this question... but I'm still not sure of what the best approach for my situation is. I have an idea of what to do based on what I learned on autopia.com... (and I listed those theories in the original post)... but before I commit, and possibly screw up all the hard work/expense I just put into this project, I just could really use the advice from someone who is experienced in automotive paint-work. ...that is what this forum is for, is it not?

04-15-2003, 05:23 PM	#4
phat pat Scooby Newbie Member#: 20655 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Lewiston Idaho Vehicle: 2002 wrx white	6 coats of clear that is a lot of clear. You should have pletty to cut and buff. You are right sand the clear wet with 1500 2000 grit. Sand untill smooth but don't sand threw the clear or you will be repainting. Start buffing with a heavy compond and work your way to a light polish.

04-15-2003, 06:23 PM	#5
NordiX Scooby Newbie Member#: 33439 Join Date: Feb 2003 Vehicle: 2003 WRX WR Pearl Blue	I was told that you can never have too much clear on there... you can always cut it back down. But it sucks if you dont have enough... and right now I'm glad I went overkill. Use a heavy compound eh? That won't cut down the top layers too much? (I suppose it's only a dozen or two strokes with the compound though, right?) I'm feeling impatient, so I might even tackle this tonight. I'll stop off at Pep boys on the way home and pick up some supplies. Do you recommend I get the compound and both a medium and light abrasive polish? Or can I squeek by with multiple passes of the light polish? Is there any particular type applicator/buffing pad you would recommend? Thanks a ton for the help phat pat... I feel much better about taking this on now that I have heard a second opinion.