I have been trying different clear coat sanding and polishing techniques following methods I have read about on here. I am currently polishing a big '57 Cadillac in between collision work. It was painted using universal, 4 coats, then hard blocked with 400 wet. Then I sprayed 3 more coats. Car has been sitting 2 weeks, outside when it's nice. I am using Jim's sanding methods (Eagle 1000 dry, Tolex wet, and green bufflex). I am doing one panel at a time trying to learn how long to use each grit. The 1000 dry works great, still learning the Tolex and Bufflex. Did the roof first, and being white, it is hard to see when all the scratches are gone. Polished it with CG v32 and an orange hexlogic pad, then finished with v36 and a white hexlogic pad. It took me longer than I wanted but came out nice. The hood was next and I did the same sanding procedures, but used a wool pad first with v32, then orange pad with v32 real quick, then white with v36. It cut the polishing time almost in half using the wool pad, and I think it looks a little better than the roof. The CG pad conditioner and cleaner are GREAT products and highly recommended. The trunk was next, same procedures but sanded with 3000 abralon disc after green bufflex. Didn't spend as much time with the Tolex or Bufflex as the hood. Started with orange pad and realized I still had some 1000 scratches. Grabbed the wool pad and got them out, but had to work. Needed more time with the Tolex. In the mean time I got some Menzerna 300 and tried it on a black Excursion hood and fender cleared with Euro. Ran over the hood with Tolex dry real quick just to show dirt nibs. Blocked those out with 2000 wet on a little paint stick, then sanded with green bufflex. Used a wool pad with the 300 and holy crap does that stuff cut! Spent maybe 10 minutes on the hood and it was ready for polish. Used the white pad with v36, then just went over it with black pad and v38. Looked great, no scratches, or swirls, and texture matched perfect. It sat out in the sun all day waiting for the customer and looked exactly like it did when I finished it, unlike the 3M garbage I have been using for years would have. The Menzerna cuts fast and will take out much heavier scratches than the v32, but it also makes a lot bigger mess to clean up before polish. The v32 needs more finesse but cleans up so easy and really looks nice after just the first step. Both have their place, but for collision work the Menzerna is quicker and more forgiving. I still have 6 more acres to polish on the Cadillac, and will experiment some more.
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