Final Polishing?wetsanding Help Needed

[yorgo]

I gone through the wetsanding process all way upto 1500 grit on the clear coat, and after trying to buff(3m swirl marker remover)I'm not getting the results I think I should. Almost looks like a dull shine. Help??????

[Southpa]

Swirl remover doesn't quite cut it. Its made for taking out really really fine polishing marks. I would suggest using Meguair's deep crystal No. 2 polish (has more abrasive content) and then swirl remover.

[phildexter]

Hiya - Also try 3M compound, you'll need a compound pad also or 100% cotton cloth if doing it by hand. Take your time, and don't burn through.

Phil

www.distant-designs.com

www.phildexter.com

Custom Airbrush Artist & Guitar Luthier

[scottyd]

Also buffing compound will leave a slight haze so you follow up with polish.

[Drak]

I gone through the wetsanding process all way upto 1500 grit on the clear coat

I START wetsanding at 1500, maybe that's your problem.

[rhoads56]

I use 2000 for the start (and finish) unless there is a bit of orange peel, then i use 1500/2000... but its rare.

[yorgo]

I started with 320 and went up from there. I had to level out the body first. it has 5 different colors and a decal. So my next question is should I continue going with more higher grit sandpaper to remove the sratches then swirl remover then the polish?

[CudBucket]

I started with 320 and went up from there. I had to level out the body first. it has 5 different colors and a decal. So my next question is should I continue going with more higher grit sandpaper to remove the sratches then swirl remover then the polish?

You were wet sanding at 320? Wow. Did you should any clear to try and level the different colors?

[Drak]

If you started at 320, it is almost certain that you will have deep scratches left once you buff out to a gloss.

Usually, you level sand with your 320 or 400, shoot a few more coats (nice and smooth), then pick up the wetsanding at 1500 or so from there.

I cannot imagine you could really get all the scratches from 320 grit out, or 400 for that matter.

Pics would help.

Hell, I don't even like starting out at 1500, I prefer starting at 2000 or 2400 if I can get away with it.

I would recommend you shoot a few more coats then pick up at around 1500.

Here's what I would do...

1. Shoot a few more clear coats and let dry

2. Start wetsanding at 1500, then 2000, 2400, then 4000. You can go to 6000 if you want.

3. Get some Meguires (like Southpa said) and use that.

4. Then Swirl Remover

5. Then wax (if you use wax, some do, some don't)

[rhoads56]

Ive used 800, and tried to go through the grits to get the scratches out, and gave up. You need to prepare it for another coat, it will save you more time in the long run.

[Southpa]

I usually start wetsanding poly at around 600, lacquer at around 1200. I found a gradual progression through the finer grits works best for me, ie. 600, 800, 1200, 1500, 2000 etc. You have to work out the deeper scratches slowly. Any big jumps, say...400 right to 1200 won't work and you will be trying to sand out those 400 grit scratches with 1200 until the cows come home.

[Maiden69]

I do the same that Drak does, level to 400, then shoot a few nice coats, as smooth as possible, and then start wet sanding at 1500, depends on how nice the final coats is. I think that 2000 is too high to start, but once again it all depends on how nice the last coat is, and with my preval, I can't get away with 2000... maybe once I get a spray rig!

[Drak]

Another problem with starting so low is that to continually wetsand each progressive level up, and starting at 320, or even 600, you will remove a helluva lot of your finish in the process, I would never do that for fear of sanding back down into my color coats and ruining something that I worked very hard to get right in the first place...not worth the risk to me, besides you'd never get all the scratches out anyway.

[zeppelinchld]

if u cant get the finish u want from just the swirl mark remover try using the 3m perfect it rubbing compound on top of it

[yorgo]

If you started at 320, it is almost certain that you will have deep scratches left once you buff out to a gloss.

Usually, you level sand with your 320 or 400, shoot a few more coats (nice and smooth), then pick up the wetsanding at 1500 or so from there.

I cannot imagine you could really get all the scratches from 320 grit out, or 400 for that matter.

Pics would help.

Hell, I don't even like starting out at 1500, I prefer starting at 2000 or 2400 if I can get away with it.

I would recommend you shoot a few more coats then pick up at around 1500.

Here's what I would do...

1. Shoot a few more clear coats and let dry

2. Start wetsanding at 1500, then 2000, 2400, then 4000. You can go to 6000 if you want.

3. Get some Meguires (like Southpa said) and use that.

4. Then Swirl Remover

5. Then wax (if you use wax, some do, some don't)

Thanks for all the help guys!

Yes, I started at 320 and went from there to 400,600,800,1200,and 1500.

I am going to try the steps that Drak has suggested, my only question is, will the new clear fill the scratches left behind?

Thanks again

[Drak]

Yes.