I painted an ss hood, ive done other panels before with good results. This thing came out orange peeled like no other. I sanded it for like an hour with 2000 grit, and then i buffed with my wheel and rubbing compound (wool pad), followed up with glazing compound (sponge pad).

Thing is, it still looks orange peeled, isnt flat, and looks like garbage still. I did 3 clear coats to give me a bit of elbow room since im new at wetsanding. What do I have to do to make this thing look awesome?

What is a good method for wetsanding and when do i know to stop sanding and start buffing? What is a good method for buffing?

How do shops do it? There must be an easier way?

 

after wet sanding a small area squeege dry, should be flat ,no little bumps. after you do this to the hole hood your ready for buffing. I am not an expert but thats how I do it. good luck..

 

I had the same problem when painting lately you have to add more reducer. When you sprayed your color did that flatn out of was that orange pealed to. If its just the clear coat that is orange pealed, sand it with 1500 small sections and squeege the small area you sanded it should dry and then you will see if its flat it has to be flat and get all the fish eyes out to. Post up some pics.

 

Make sure there is nothing in with silicone or oil in it..such as tire glaze or ne spray waxes.that will cause ur orange peel..as mentioned above when u wet sand ur paint ur whole hood should be dull and no shiny parts at all..

 

Is the "clearcoat activator" the reducer? Should I just add more next time i paint? I used wax and grease remover prior to priming and after i sanded the primer. So i should be good in that respect.

 

you may need to get a heavier grit wet paper. Then proceed to go to something lighter until you get the results you want. Try maybe 1000 wet...and then go to like 1500...see how it comes out

 

If it is really that orange peely, use a good wet sanding pad or even a hard block. Start off with 1000 grit and move up from there. What kind of buffer do you have? If it goes to 1800, use that speed, and/or be slightly more aggressive with the buffer, all the while keeping the buffer moving so you don't heat up one spot.

 

If you sand the color it will look a little off after it has clear on it. Activater is a hardeher and reducer thins it.