Light scratches after wet sand.

**Agent Phonar** · 08-11-2003, 08:46 AM

A friend of mine who isnt a body shop guy agreed to paint a car for someone. It was his first one and he had a few runs in the clear. He doesnt buff so he asked if I would help. Here is my problem. You can tell from the picture but there are very fine scratches in the paint. When it was wet sanded I think they used 1000-1500 but this is the first one I ever buffed after a wet sand. I tried getting away with AutoMagic GS-1 and a meduim cut foam. After that I went a little heavier with some AutoMagic XP Compound and the foam. They still didnt come out. I then tried the XP Compound with a white wool, followed by the GS-1 and the same pad. Then I tried going over it again with the GS-1 and the medium pad followed by AutoMagic BC-2 and a finishing pad. The scratches are hard to see even under flourescent lighting but I just cant believe they didnt come out. Any info u guys could give would b great cause i`m lost

PS-i normally wouldnt go that many steps but they said if i went through to the metal they would just paint it again.

**Godfather** · 08-11-2003, 10:03 AM

Try 3M`s rubbing compound for scratches/swirls..that removed some pretty hefty scratches from my paint and i did it by hand..good luck

**Poorboy** · 08-11-2003, 12:47 PM

First you should have wet sanded again with 2000 or 2500 to reduce the deeper scratches.....initially a wool pad would be your first pad....were you using a rotary or pc? ....pc will not cut it ...no enough heat generated...then go to foam for finishing....

I can recommend products, but I think you probably have enough of your own...

**Beemerboy** · 08-11-2003, 01:17 PM

I use the 3M compound and it works like a charm. Poorboys is right you need a rotary and a wool cutting pad. I`d work the speed at 1200 RPM`s being carefull about the pressure you are putting on the pad. After the compound I`d look at polishing with a cutting pad on a PC or by hand if that`s what you have.

**Agent Phonar** · 08-11-2003, 02:49 PM

I used a Dewalt 849. I compounded it @ around 1400rpm on one side and tried 1800rpm on the other side. Same results on both sides. Like I said I wasnt involved with the wet sanding part so I`m just guessing at what they used. I just wanted it to be perfect and its not in my eyes. Thanks for the advice/tips.

**Poorboy** · 08-11-2003, 04:46 PM

I have another question

is the car clear coated or one stage or enamel or other...

if it`s clearcoated ..you may have done all you can...the fine scratches may be under the clear..if it`s not they should eventually come out or you`ll remove the paint ...which ever comes first..lol

**Agent Phonar** · 08-11-2003, 06:54 PM

I`m think your right about the scratches being under the clear. It was a clearcoat finish and I had the chance to talk to a guy who has been detailing for quite a few years and he is telling me the same thing you are. If they were in the clear i would expected them to atleast get a little lighter with the compound but nothing.
Like I said the dude that painted it said that if i messed up he would just repaint but I wasnt going to have him go through all that. The minor scratches will just have to stay.

**Poorboy** · 08-11-2003, 07:19 PM

Don`t be sad the finish looked good and was probably real smooth too...

I`ve seen those kinds of imperfections on new Beemers and Ferrari`s too....people are human and humans fix the machines

**Tassadar** · 08-11-2003, 07:22 PM

You can always hide them

**Agent Phonar** · 08-11-2003, 07:57 PM

You guys are right. The car looks mint outside its just under the lights if you get real close you can see them. No one else noticed them but me. I did all I could do. Thanks for the encouragement!!!!!!!!

**Poorboy** · 08-11-2003, 08:20 PM

I agree

**Tassadar** · 08-11-2003, 08:52 PM

You did your best, and everyone except yourself is happy. Sounds perfectly human to me, you did your best, and your best just happened to be damned good.

Nice job.

**Agent Phonar** · 08-12-2003, 06:04 AM

I`ll have to post some pics when they are done painting the trim and putting the side moldings back on.

**Ferrarislave** · 08-12-2003, 11:52 PM

Yes that does look pretty good compared to the left side. Nice work I think thats a very good job for a finish like that post the full completed pics.