Got a fairly simple question... after you paint a part and sand it down, even after going with 2000 grit... the paint still has no shine whatsover. How is the shine achieved after all that is done ? With a buffer ? Some sort of compound ? More sanding ? lol what ? Thanx

p.s. I'm trying to repaint the front spoiler since the paint is full of chips everywhere!

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92 Z28 5.7
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3M makes a very good rubbing compound for use after 2000 grit sandpaper. It has really brought out the shine on everything I've used it on. I've always used it by hand but it can be used on a buffer as well.

 

Did you apply the clearcoat and still no shine? If not, spray a clearcoat on. The paint is not what gives you the shine...its the clearcoat. Check you local car paint store (ie PPG) they can help you out.

 

After you sand down the clear with 1500 or 2000 grit you should go over it with a buffer and PERFECT IT III compounds by 3M. You need a cutting pad for the first few coats with the cutting polish, then you need a softer pad to do a final coat with swirl remover, also PERFECT IT II by 3M.

 

I don't have clearcoat and my T/A nearly glows in the dark! You need to use a GOOD polishing compound and follow it up with some GOOD wax! My personal favorite is Liquid Glass. It looks great, but is a little on the expensive side for wax. But you get what you pay for.


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1985 Trans-Am: GM Goodwrench 350 (basically stock except for the heads); Newly rebuilt 700R4 w/B&M Shift Kit; B&M Ratchet Shifter; Holley 750; Edlebrock Performer RPM Intake; Hooker Competition Headers; MSD Ignition; K&N filters everywhere; Whatever gear ratios came stock with the 85 T/A (it at least has Posi); Maybe some other mods that I just haven't noticed (I just bought it in Feb '01); work in progress...

[This message has been edited by 85firechicken (edited April 24, 2001).]

 

Isn't wax just another "clearcoat"...that wears off. I agree w/ a good compound but still the clearcoat gives you the "shine". And you dont have to apply it every month like wax.

 

BTW, i'll try the "LIQUID WAX" next time I wax. Thanks!!

 

With Liquid Glass (or any other quality wax), you only need to apply it once a year if you properly maintain it (regular washing/polishing), and that little bit of extra effort pays off HUGE dividends. You can draw a bigger shine from waxing/polishing than you can from these new-fangled clearcoats. Maybe I'm just old-school, but so are the guys at the car shows!

 

I recenty sanded my hood with 1500 grit and it was definately dull. I then polished it with Meguiar's Deep Crystal System Polish. It made the hood shine line glass. Incredible. It is far easier to use than a standard polishing compound (by hand, at least). It is actually marketed at step #2 in a three step paint care system: (1) paint cleaner, (2) polish, (3) wax. I highly recommend the Meguiar's product line. It's even easily obtainable at Walmart or autoparts store.