How Do I Get Paint To Shine?

[TXredc3]

I had my '74 repainted 3 years ago with a base coat/clear coat. I thought it was a nice job and was even complimented on it by a guy that paints cars part-time. The car's been in the garage 99.9% of the time. Fast forward 3 years. Now the paint's not smooth like it used to be and it has a dull look to it. I hit it with several different products. I tried Meguiars paint cleaner, Polish, and then a wax. I even tried a turtle wax brand of rubbing compound. Nothing did much good. Any suggestions?

[hwcoop]

Color sanding/buffing video by Kevin Tetz

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...emType=PRODUCT

[TXredc3]

Originally Posted by hwcoop

Color sanding/buffing video by Kevin Tetz

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...emType=PRODUCT

Can you color sand when you have a clear coat?

[groovyjay]

Originally Posted by TXredc3

Can you color sand when you have a clear coat?

Yes.

[karol]

My suggestion is to go to the forum jump and look at the "car care discussion" and read or post.

Are you applying these products by hand? makes a big difference in the correction of maring, halos, swirls, scratches, etc. Basically you are working on the clear coat. Dont buy anything that says it is for a certain color of paint. You dont dye a clear coat. Glaze is to make it look pretty and fill in the imperfections for awhile, etc,etc. There is really a lot more to detailing then you think possible.

I use a PC 7424 and suggest it might take a machine to get it back the way it was.
good luck.

[turbojet]

Try using a Clay Bar, use a medium bar first also use a quick detailer as you glide it, after wash and use what ever wax you have.
You should see some results.

[Fay vette]

Try a clay bar kit. It brought out good color on my older truck paint. Plan to do the vette here shortly.

[TXredc3]

Is a clay bar kit basically the same as color sanding?

[schmegeggie]

Originally Posted by turbojet

Try using a Clay Bar, use a medium bar first also use a quick detailer as you glide it, after wash and use what ever wax you have.
You should see some results.

[karol]

This is what clay does. You still need to continue on with the process.

http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...-cleaning.html

[schmegeggie]

Great article. Does she do the clay job?
Oh well...

[Curby]

DEFINITELY start with the clay bar, no matter what you are planning to do next.

It is amazing what crap gets embedded in paint while sitting in a garage, where one thinks their car is safe.

The clay bar will remove the impurities that you can not see, and leave the paint like glass. then you can use a medium cut compound adn a wool buffer to get the haze off. Once this is done, and the finish looks good, put on about 3 coats of wax and wax it 2 t o3 times a year, regardless of miles driven.

Be sure to use the clay bar treatment any time the surface is not as slick as glass.

[Duke94]

Originally Posted by hwcoop

Color sanding/buffing video by Kevin Tetz

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...emType=PRODUCT

I color sanded my 71' and 78' which both had cheap repaints before I bought them. It made a BIG difference in the shine. Hardest part is taking the sandpaper to the paint for the first time. I used 2000 grit wet or dry and the Eastwood "System One" polishing compound. You will be amazed at how good an inexpensive paint job can be made to look. Nothing like a $5K job, but very acceptable.

Gary
Here's a pic of my 78' after color sanding.

[Theiskell]

Most of the above advice is good. The only thing I would add is that color sanding is not for the novice. Serious damage can be done quickly and from what you are saying I doubt you need to go to that extreme. Post a picture so we have a better idea of what you are working with.

[Red 71]

Originally Posted by Theiskell

Most of the above advice is good. The only thing I would add is that color sanding is not for the novice. Serious damage can be done quickly and from what you are saying I doubt you need to go to that extreme. Post a picture so we have a better idea of what you are working with.

If you are not experienced on the technique you can burn through edges real quick. It is also risky unless you know for sure that you have enough clear to allow for sanding.