OK, I recently refinished my t-tops, i sanded it down with 100 grit, then 400, 4 coats primer, then 400 grit again, then started with gloss black paint. Here's where I'm confused... I put on a good number of coats, probably about 10 to 15 light coats, but I wanted to sand it real smooth to try to get as much of a mirror finish as I could. I wet sanded with 1000 grit and wiped it clean, but it looked real dull and unfinished. So I sprayed another two coats over it and then tried with 2000 grit wetsand; same thing. What am I doing wrong? I want these to look as smooth and glossy as possible.

Sorry if this is a real newbish question.

 

I'd say even though you only done light coat's that you done way 2 many coats for one. Other than that I don't see why it shouldnt be bringing out right.


-Jensen

 

Is there something I have to do to the paint after I sand it to get it to look glossy again?

 

I may be completely wrong about this but have you tried after you get it painted and let it dry, getting some buffing compound and buffing it up a bit. I did read in my "How to Paint Your Car" book at it says if you are using and enamel paint, they cure with a film on their surface which will be damaged if broken by sandpaper. I would try buffing it out before sanding anymore. That is just my opinion.

 

in order to get ANY paint to shine once it's been sanded, you'll HAVE to use some kind of buffing compound. I'm using "Perfect It" by 3M, it works great....works best with a buffer.....

 

Yeah, definately buff it. Sanding it, even with a very fine grit like 2000 will still make small scratches and dull the finish. It should look dull, but still smooth. If its smooth, then you're ready to buff to a shine.

 

Ahh, ok! That makes sense. I'm guessing "buffer" means like an electric orbital buffer? I could just do it by hand, those t-top strips aren't THAT big.

Where'd you get the Perfect It? Autozone? Home Depot?