School me on sanding and buffing

[AKBroncoII]

I am looking for some help. Just bought a black explorer sport. Clearcoat and paint is still good, just lots and lots of surface scratches and oxidation. I bought some turtle wax polishing compound and some carnauba wax. I used 1500 grit and tried using the polishing compound. It just doesn't seem to be polishing the sand scratches out after wet sanding. Should I use 2000 grit then use the compound. It looks better than it did but now all the scratches are shiny.

 

[rickcdewitt]

don't sand on an old paint job,you'll go through the clear fast enough with just a buffer.once that nappens you're f'd

 

[engdept]

What about prepping for a paint job? Not a fancy paint job, just a slap on that will eliminate rust?

 

[rickcdewitt]

What about prepping for a paint job? Not a fancy paint job, just a slap on that will eliminate rust?

take off all the trim that will be in the way,wash it very good(get the wax out of all the cracks and seams)sand it smooth to about 400 with no blisters,chips or cracks left.prime it,sand it,paint it.

 

[Jason]

I have wet-sanded and buffed countless older vehicles with BC/CC finishes. I never went through the clear once.

Steps to success.
1. Buy 3M rubbing compound.
2. Use 2000 grit wet/dry paper (preferably 3M again)
3. Use a real buffer with medium foam pad. A real buffer has a dial to control max speed.
4. Use 3M Imperial glaze afterwards (You can also use Finesse-it, but that is nearly 100 bucks a gallon, that's what I use)
5. Hand wax with a good SOLID wax. No liquid garbage.

 

[rickcdewitt]

I have wet-sanded and buffed countless older vehicles with BC/CC finishes. I never went through the clear once.

still playing with fire.it takes a careful touch.

the finnesse it is good stuff i agree though i'de use a good polish/sealant before wax.wax has its own problems

 

[Jason]

still playing with fire.it takes a careful touch.

the finnesse it is good stuff i agree though i'de use a good polish/sealant before wax.wax has its own problems

What problems do good waxes have. For example, what is wrong with Zymol paste? (not the cheap zymol from Autozone either.)

 

[AKBroncoII]

It's an 800$ truck, so if I go through the clear, it would still be a better paint job than I started. I have one quarter panel done. Turned out great, I did NOT go through the clear. Looks better than it did new minus a couple deep scratches that aren't going to come out. I used 2000 grit and turtle wax compound. Used a buffer to apply wax, cleaned wax and polished with buffer. Then hand waxed. Turned out beautifully. Much better than I had thought it would turn out. Black kinda sucks to get the scratches out of.

 

[krugford]

Black kinda sucks to get the scratches out of.

Yes it does. I've always had good luck with 3M's Perfect-It line. Wash, Compound (If it's really bad), Swirl Mark Remover, Final Glaze, then Wax.

 

[AKBroncoII]

It wasn't as hard as I was making it out to be other than taking a long time. I only have one side partially done but I am very pleased with the results so far.

 

[bottledgt]

since youve already gone 1500, go to 2000 with a block and then use a med/rough compound and roughing pad until scratches are gone, then move to a finishing compound and pad, then a glaze.its a sucky and long process to do right

 

[rickcdewitt]

What problems do good waxes have. For example, what is wrong with Zymol paste? (not the cheap zymol from Autozone either.)

i can only think of two things off hand,wax is a release(new paint will come off) and you can't wax new paint for a few months so it can breath and cure.the race glaze line is good stuff and their polish/sealant is breathable and not a real agressive release.

nothing the O.P. has to worry about.

 

[krugford]

i can only think of two things off hand,wax is a release(new paint will come off) and you can't wax new paint for a few months so it can breath and cure.the race glaze line is good stuff and their polish/sealant is breathable and not a real agressive release.

nothing the O.P. has to worry about.

I've heard that about having to wait awhile before waxing a new paint job, but when I had the front of my old Ranger redone after smacking a deer, it was baked after it was sprayed (140-150F I think). Guy said I could wax it that day if I wanted, I did, and it still looks like new several years later. Depends on who paints it and how much it costs I guess.

 

[bottledgt]

you do not have to wait months to wax

 

[Jason]

you do not have to wait months to wax

+1. this is from the old lacquer and enamel days. Modern BC/CC finishes are fine to wax.