My gf's car has runs in the paint from her Maaco paint job...She won't let me take it back to maaco (2 hrs away) Is there a way i can get them out myself and make it look good? regardless of price how could i get this done at home? My dad has a buffer...

 

How bad are we talking?
Did they use basecoat/clearcoat? If not, you're FUBAR'ed
If so, use a razor blade first, do not make the mistake to try to "cut " them off, you want to hold the blade perpendicular to the panel, and scrape lightly along the length of the run. Removing thin layers off at a time, USE A BRAND NEW BLADE!!!
The idea is to get down to the painted surface, You will see the edge disappear, then you got it!!!
Wetsand the area with 1200 to 1500, buff, and polish.

 

A razorblade for removing runs? That's definately a first for me.

When I get runs, I block sand them out with 1000 grit, then once they're smooth, go over them with 1500, then buff.

If it's a single-stage paint job (most likely if it's maaco), you should be fine. If it's a 2-stage (basecoat & clearcoat), as long as the run was in the clear you'll be fine. If it's a 2 stage and the color coat ran, you're screwed.

 

I always did too, but did you ever notice those slight ripples left behind? Then an old paint rep of mine showed me this trick, I've never done it my old way again...

 

I've never had the ripples, but if your method works, it would still save time. I may need to shoot a junk hood or fender to try this out.

 

that thought just scares me....just paint better.

 

the make a block you can purchase for the razor blade. its called a " run blocker" i think i got mine from eastwood. it hold the blade and has a little nylon screw to set blade depth.it has things on the side of it that helps you follow the surface of the car. this way you can dial in the cut and take off little slices. the run blocker is only a couple bucks. i did use it on one little run on my gfx and it works sweet. great little tool for the novice.

Jeff

 

Getting that great glossy finish requires lots of wet clear coat. The best paint jobs I've ever seen all had a million runs out of the spray booth.

 

Sorry to hear about the runs. Well when my dad and I painted my car, we had some runs cause his gun needs to have a little work, and with the paint being black, they made themselves easily known. We wet sanded, but I can't remember with which grit paper. Time consuming, yes, but looked a lot better when we were done.

Gilley

 

i use the razor blade trick as well. it works really good.

 

that razor blade tip works great

 

my painter had a few good runs down my pass. door in the clear, he took a 1000 grit over the entire car then a 2000 to get the runs and orange peel out and they are gone cant notice where they were.

 

I second the run blocker idea. They're also good for over filling chips with touch up paint, then cutting the overfill down to the surface without hurting the surrounding clear coat like sanding alone can do. Blends back in sooooo much easier/better than any other method I've tried... and believe me, I know... I've "spot" painted my car back from really bad looking pealing/flakey factory paint, by only using spray bombs and touch up paint, and it's back to something that actually gets compliments from time to time.