Hello everyone, I just finished painting my 86 sports coupe, using Duplicolor's Paint shop Pro series paint. I laid on 3 coats of Brilliant silver followed by 3 coats of clear. My question is after I'm done wet sanding with 2000 grit, what buffing compound should I use? I bought some mequires swirl and scratch remover. Will this be aggressive enough? if not, what product should I use? I'm pleased with the results of the paint, I just want more gloss. It seems a bit dull to me just yet.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

I would use 1500 then 2000.Soak your paper overnight and use a small amount of dishwashing soap in your water.The soap helps to reduce the friction and it also helps wash away dirt.
Mequires makes a lot of great products, however, you will need a compound to remove the wetsanding scratches.
I like the Farecla brand heavy cutting compund on a wool heavy cut pad.
http://www.farecla.com/

Then a light cut pad with the same compund.Then a polish on a foam pad then finally a finishing spray.I like the Presta spray and shine
http://www.prestaproducts.com/Spray_...e-details.aspx

.Im guessing you know to not use any wax or silicone products for at least 30 days? I would wait even longer....
If your car is not going to be garage kept then you can use the Wizards products shine master...I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!!!
It is safe for fresh paint and leaves an amazing shine!
http://www.wizardsproducts.com/store...6-oz-p-17.html
Hope all this helps you! I really like your color choice!!! Looks really nice!

 

When color sanding a car, I have always used 3M perfect it series products. You can get Perfect it II Rubbing Compound and use it with a white foam buffing pad (Firm Pad). Next Buff the car with the Perfect It II Foam Pad Glaze with a Dark polishing pad (Soft Pad). The trick is to buff all of the sand scratches out with the rubbing compound, and remove swirls left behind with the Machine Glaze. They also have a third step with a hand polish if you choose to do it. I have been doing this system for over 10 years and always get good results. Just take your time if you are not experienced, and always buff off of body edges. This will keep you from burning through the paint.

 

 

Thanks for the suggestions. This is my first time doing any body work to this extent and any help is apprieciated. I found a store in town that deals only with auto body supplies. I'm thinking Ill go in there and pick up all the supplies I'm going to need. Why should you not use waxes for 30 days? I've heard of this before and never really knew why.

 

The primary reason that you don't want to use wax in the first 30 days is because the solvents in the paint are still trying to evaporate. If you wax the car, then those solvents become trapped and can cause issues like solvent pop.

 

This is the EXACT way to do it for the BEST results. AWAYS remember tp let the compound do it's job.

I just painted my dad's 63 Impala SS, but I started wetsanding with 800 then to 2000......came out pretty slick

 

Oh I see. That makes sense then. I will definatly wait. When it comes time to wax, what would the best wax to use? I have some turtle wax stuff already, but I've heard that caranuba wax is the way to go. Any real solid answer on this or just personal preference?

 

Meguiar's has a great HOW TO _______________ VIDEO's on everything from buffing, wetsanding ands waxing at this link. The instructors take you step by step on the video. Their reccomendations are spot on.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...play.php?f=134

 

I finished colour sanding tonight with the 2000 grit. I started off with the 1500 that was suggested and followed with the 2000. Tomorrow I will follow up with a wipe down with wax/grease remover and will start the buffing. (Still need to run into town to pick up the compound) Hope it will be all buffed out by the end of this weekend. I'll post some pics of the finished product.

My next decision is should I add a pin stripe along the top of the quarter/door/fenders, or leave it just the solid silver. The car origially had a dark grey pin sripe which looked nice, and I bought some black pin striping tape, but I'm just not sure. What do you guys think?

 

I do pretty much the same thing, just one step further. I use the 3000 grit Trizac paper, and on some even go to a 4000 grit Mirka paper before the buffing starts. I like the 3M products, but use a Schlegal wool pad for compounding.

 

I vote no for the pinstripe. At least not at the top of the fender, etc.

 

Buffing all done... I'm really pleased with the results. I ended up using Napa body buffing compound which got a pretty good gloss, but it still wasn't as glossy as I explected, so just to see, I tried the meguiers scratch/swirl remover and it brought out a real nice shine. I'll have to wait a few weeks until I can put a coat of wax on her. I ended up putting on the pin stripe and liking it so far. No pics as of yet, I'll post some soon.

 

Did you put a glaze on?

 

Pictures Nao!