H@xtGSX
10+ Year Contributor
- 1,093
- 11
- Aug 9, 2011
-
Carlsbad,
New Mexico
This is "orange peel", present in nearly every paint job. This is a little exaggerated because there's a lot of paint on my car. Picture taken from a few inches away.
<img src="http://www.dsmtuners.com/gallery/files/1/3/0/6/8/7/imag0270.jpg" alt="Imag0270" />
This is after a basic wet sanding with 1500 grit and 2000 grit sandpaper, followed by a brief hand polishing with a basic 3m polishing compound. This still needs to be buffer with a buffer, and when finished, it will look like glass.
<img src="http://www.dsmtuners.com/gallery/files/1/3/0/6/8/7/imag0271.jpg" alt="Imag0271" />
Wet sanding will improve the appearance of nearly any paint job. Start with 1500 grit on a flat block and a bucket of clean water or your hose with water running. Remember to flush the paper and area frequently. You don't want any grit in between the block and the panel or you'll just scratch it up. You need to be slow and careful not to cut through to the base coat though. Use a squeegee to wipe away the debris every few strokes and always look at the place being sanded from an angle so you can see if there's any remaining dimples. Once it looks dull and flat without any dimples, go over it once more with 2000 grit lightly to remove the 1500 grit scratches. Some peoples start with 2000 grit to be safe. It's slower, but it is safer. Then get some Meguire's Ultimate Compound... this stuff works FAST, but ends up looking real good. Just be careful and don't double up passing over an area to prevent any burn through to the base coat. Use it with a slower speed buffer and microfiber pads. Just make enough of a pass that you see the dull from the Sandpaper get glossy and move on. I like to use release tape and make a grid over the surface of the car so I don't do the same spot twice. It helps. Anyway, if you waxing and waxing and still not getting the shine you want, this is how to get it. It is a lot of sanding and takes a while to do, but the end result is nice. Be careful, go slow, and take your time and it'll look great.
<img src="http://www.dsmtuners.com/gallery/files/1/3/0/6/8/7/imag0270.jpg" alt="Imag0270" />
This is after a basic wet sanding with 1500 grit and 2000 grit sandpaper, followed by a brief hand polishing with a basic 3m polishing compound. This still needs to be buffer with a buffer, and when finished, it will look like glass.
<img src="http://www.dsmtuners.com/gallery/files/1/3/0/6/8/7/imag0271.jpg" alt="Imag0271" />
Wet sanding will improve the appearance of nearly any paint job. Start with 1500 grit on a flat block and a bucket of clean water or your hose with water running. Remember to flush the paper and area frequently. You don't want any grit in between the block and the panel or you'll just scratch it up. You need to be slow and careful not to cut through to the base coat though. Use a squeegee to wipe away the debris every few strokes and always look at the place being sanded from an angle so you can see if there's any remaining dimples. Once it looks dull and flat without any dimples, go over it once more with 2000 grit lightly to remove the 1500 grit scratches. Some peoples start with 2000 grit to be safe. It's slower, but it is safer. Then get some Meguire's Ultimate Compound... this stuff works FAST, but ends up looking real good. Just be careful and don't double up passing over an area to prevent any burn through to the base coat. Use it with a slower speed buffer and microfiber pads. Just make enough of a pass that you see the dull from the Sandpaper get glossy and move on. I like to use release tape and make a grid over the surface of the car so I don't do the same spot twice. It helps. Anyway, if you waxing and waxing and still not getting the shine you want, this is how to get it. It is a lot of sanding and takes a while to do, but the end result is nice. Be careful, go slow, and take your time and it'll look great.
