I recently got my hood painted (New from FFI). My painter applied 3 coats of paint and two heavy coats of clear. I am not sure what he did buy the hood developed alot of orange peel. I, (at the recommendation of him), wet sanded the whole hood w/ 1500 grit sand paper. One positive is that the orange peel is gone and the hood has a nice smooth finish, but.... now the hood looks like (insert word of choice here). It has a very dull appearance and has swirl marks all over the hood. I would assume this is the clear coat that is now scratched. My question is.... what can I use to bring back the shine and get rid of the swirl marks?? I tried a little wax on one area and it didn't make any noticable difference. Any suggestions welcome.

~John

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1994 Z Car
www.slfba.com
The usual stuff on a set of Nittos and a dead posi.
60' = 1.920
1/8 = 8.368 @ 83.88
1/4 = 12.968 @ 108.04

 

More than likely three steps will be needed from a wet sanding, I would using an orbital buffer and a foam pad:

1. First use 3M Finesee It II finishing material
2. then buff with 3M Swirl Mark Remover
3. then as the last step apply your final finish wax or polish.

This works from most abrasive down.

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96 Black Impala SS
Authorized Zaino Showcar Polish Distributor
www.zainobros.com
Remember #3

 

I agree with Kevin, except in some instances of sanding, a heavier compoud may be quicker and more effective when used first to restore the surface. I prefer the 3M Fine Cut Compound after sanding with anything heavier than 2000 grit. Of course you will always have to finish with a swirl remover, usually multiple coats to perfect the job.

Here is a good link that may interest you: http://www.goodspeedmotoring.com/?page=color_sanding

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*Mike's 1992 Camaro RS 25th Anniv.*
Dark Red Metallic (ext.) / Flame Red (int.)
Flowmaster Crossflow, K&N, 20% 3M Panther Black Tint
JL Audio 3 10", PPI PC2100, Kenwood eXcelon KRC-953H/U, Kenwood / Pioneer speakers
Show Car Shine by ZAINO! - Special Thanks to Sal Z!



[This message has been edited by MikeLS (edited August 08, 2002).]

 

Thanks for the information, guys. I'll print this out and give it a shot. Thanks again.

~John

 

Ok guys....here's an easy one for ya. I purchased the following for my above problem:

1. 3M Perfect It II - Fine Cut
2. 3M SMR
3. 3M Hand Glaze
4. Eagle One Wet Wax. (Just some I had around the house)

Anyway...I put on 2 coats of the fine cut with a wool pad - buffed with a foam pad, 3 coats of SMR with a foam pad - buffed with a foam pad, 3 coats of Hand Glaze - buffed with a foam pad, then applied 2 coats of wax - buffed with a very soft cloth. The application was just a guess on my part and it looks great. It brought back the color / shine and almost got rid of all the swirl marks. It depends on how you look at it in the sun, you will still see alot of swirl marks. What do you recommend, more coats of SMR or more initial coats of fine cut, or something else??

Sorry so many questions, I'm new at this type of thing. Thanks.

~John

 

Once you use the fine cut to restore the surface, you don't really want to use it again. Otherwise, you'll actually create more swirls than your removing. Try another round or two with the 3M SMR and a foam polishing pad. I'd do another two probably, 3 max. If you see no improvements after 2 or 3 more coats, you may need to change products. Then I'd recommend Meguiar's #9 or 3M Finesse It-Machine polish. Then once it's too your liking, finish with the 3M glaze and your wax.



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*My 1992 Camaro RS 25th Anniv.*
Dark Red Metallic (ext.) / Flame Red (int.)
Flowmaster Crossflow, K&N, 20% 3M Panther Black Tint
JL Audio 3 10", PPI PC2100, other Kenwood & Pioneer goodies...
Show Car Shine by ZainoBros! - Thanks Sal!

 

Hmmm, that's interesting about the fine cut, I'll keep that in mind. I'll give your recommendation a shot tonight and see what happens. Thanks again

~John

 

Hey guys, I just wanted to let you know the hood turned out way better than I ever thought possable. I didn't take your advice on the fine cut, though. I ended up putting about 7 coats of fine cut on and 4 of the SMR. I didn't put any glaze on it though, I didn't like what it was doing to the finish in a test spot. It basically took me two days of buffing to get it swirl-less. I couldn't be more happy that it turned out the way it did, I was so worried I'd have to get it re-cleared. Just wanted to give an update and tell ya thanks for the help.

~John

 

Did you use some kind of final finish coat?



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96 Black Impala SS
Authorized Zaino Showcar Polish Distributor
www.zainobros.com
Remember #3

 

Yea, just forgot to add that part. I used Eagle One Wet Wax. In the Spring when the rest of the car gets painted, then I'll switch to zaino products. It kinda sucks now though, cause I have a hood that is spotless, free of swirl marks and looks like a mirror, but compaired to that, the rest of the car looks like crap.

~John