Good news and bad on sanding and buffing

[Awilson]

Seriously? No less than four guys told you not to do that, do you believe us now?

Forget about the back masking when blending the base. You are asking for trouble. The base will blend out fine on its own if you just keep the gun perpendicular to the deck. Paint won't go around corners on its own.

If you back mask for the base, the line will show. So have fun with that, I know you will since I told you not to do it.

I guess I thought or hoped that you guys are too picky and it would look good enough for me. Well it definitely doesn't. Like I have said in previous posts, I have to learn the hard way, but I learn.
I will do exactly what you guys say!!! The reason I mentioned the back masking is my concern that there will end up being overspray on the sides a little which would be on the original clear. So that will be ok once I clear it all?
Should I be basing the whole rear deck or just an area a little larger that the repair spot?

 

[toledo auto paint]

you did not learn the hard way we all have learned and done things like you are doing. So its just that way !!!!

 

[crashtech]

The reason I mentioned the back masking is my concern that there will end up being overspray on the sides a little which would be on the original clear. So that will be ok once I clear it all?

If the clear is well sanded and cleaned, it is most definitely OK!

Should I be basing the whole rear deck or just an area a little larger that the repair spot?

There are so many factors to consider when answering this question, it is impossible to give a surefire answer. I see in your earlier post that you "sometimes" get the color to blend out OK. If you think you have that technique down to where you know for sure you can blend out the metallic,then do it. Otherwise, base the whole deck, then your blends will be along sharp edges and the two valleys next to the sail panels. The way that light reflects along these contours will hide blends much easier than right out in a big flat area.

BTW, how many times did you attempt an open blend? You may have a buildup of material in that area that might affect the appearance of the finish in the future. You might want to carefully wetsand your repairs down some, especially because open blends use a somewhat poorly prepared surface around their perimeter. You might find when when you wetsand the area that some of the clear edges want to tear away a little, if that is happening you'll want to keep sanding til it goes away.

 

[Awilson]

I will wet sand everything well with 600 before any spraying.

I have a convertible so there are no sail areas. I will base the whole deck to be sure.

I only tried twice to fix it. I see no indications of the clear tearing away. Next Friday will probably be the day.

Thanks!