When I bought my camaro, it had faded clear coat. Alot of cars during '88 had paint problems if they were painted in Cali. for some reason. I've never painted a car before, but I was bound and determined I was gonna try it. I decided to use an acrylic enamel instead of the basecoat-clearcoat system, for I thought it would be easier for me. Anyway, I used a cheap gun and my work looked like crap. I re-sanded and primed and got another person with more experence to shoot it. I could'nt complain because he did it for free, but, you name it, it's got orange peel, trash, runs, rough areas, etc.
Can I wet sand this enamel paint and shoot it with clear as long as I don't sand to the primer. Any suggestions would be very helpful. thanks, Joe.

 

Cali cars had problems because the paint was a water-base (I believe, correct me if i'm wrong)
You can wet sand out some things, but if the runs are too bad, good luck.. The one thing you don't have to worry about is sanding through the clear. Get some 1500 or 2000 grit and get to work.. you'll probably get the orange peel out, but everything else is just a maybe.. Also, how long has it been since you painted it? Some of the dirt will come out with a wet sand as well.
Hope this helps somewhat

 

There's no clear on there now, only enamel. The runs are mainly on the ground effects. The car has been painted over a year now. I was hoping the sun would bring it out some and then I would try buffing, but its hard as a rock now. I guess I'll strip the darn thing down again and see what I can do with wet-sanding. I'm too cheap to pay anyone else.

 

well, i suppose, but with all the work and time you've spent on it, might as well get it mostly prepped, and pay someone a couple hundred to spray it.. within the next 2 days after painting it, wet sand it down, and then let it sit for about 5 days, then buff it out.. you want it to look good don't ya? do you wet sand the primer before painting?

 

The paint is red and most people say red is one of the hardest to paint. $500 to $1000 is the cheapest I could get anyone (that knew what they were doing) to paint the car, even after I prime and wet-sand. I thought about MAACO, but that just don't feel right to me. Everyone says the car looks good but I know every spot on it. I may try it again. I just need to get a better quality gun.