i just did some touch up on my car and used 1500 grit paper to take it down to level, now i just used a cheap turtle wax polishing compound and it seems that the marks are still there when the light shines on it just right, do you think i should try it with a buffer? or do i need a better compound?

 

You might want to try this question in the "Show and Shine" forum.

 

1500 grit

i used 2500 then followed it with a 3000 grit (yes i know it is really fine paper) but i didn't want to sand thru the clear.

after sanding, this is what i did.

1. buffer with a wool pad and Meguires "diamond cut" compound.

2. buffer again with a foam pad and Meguires "diamond cut" again.

3. then buffer with a foam pad and Meguires "swirl free polish" to bring to a high gloss shine.

pics can be seen in my sig!

 

i thought 1500 grit was a good finishing grit, am i wrong? this was the highest grit they had at the parts store and on the package it says finishing paper...

 

some people do use the 1500 grit, just a little too coarse for me tho! (to me it seems like ya have to buff the hell out of it before you can get the sand scratches to totally dissappear)
about the only place you can find anything finer than 2000 is at a autobody supply store, most of your local bodyshops get their supplies from a autobody supply store, they should also have alot better selection of compounds too.

 

I'll move this to the Show and Shine forum.

While this forum heading is "Appearance Section" it is really for appearance mods like wheels, hoods, etc. The waxing type questions go in the other forum

 

I use 2000 paper on final sanding, 3M has three different grades of rubbing compound, fine cut, med. cut, and aggresive (or something like that) cut......

 

ye man listen to chucky he sounds like he knows what he's doing, I work at a detail shop and we also use 2500 grit to finish. The mag. or the 3m is good stuff stay away from the cheep stuff and if u us a high speed buffer and are not familiar with it then maybe get a budy to help that has used one befor u can put bad buff mark's(swirls) in it that r really hard to get out use low rpm and don't stay in one spot to long or there go's the clear u dont want to burn a spot if u need more info e mail me at jipsydog@aol.com i have know prob. talking to u about this hope this helps good luck

 

i just stopped by the paint store and picked up a buffing pad for my DA sander. this should remove the sanding marks, ill get back with you guys, and thanks for the help ill see if i can find some of this 3m compound.