Some of you guys have been helping me with my first attempt at painting (outside of painting one engine bay with SS). Thank you very much for that. I'm restoring my 70 Corvette and decided to try a test panel before I do the whole car. I'm using an aftermarket hood on the car, so I thought the stock hood would be perfect. I did it yesterday and I think it went pretty well, outside of nearly getting heat stroke from the 100+ temp and high humidity. I've decided I'm waiting until it cools off a bit before doing the rest of the car.
Of course, being my first time, it's far from perfect. I have a fair amount of orange peel and trash. Painting in my little shop, there's just no amount of cleaning I can do that'll keep the trash out around here. Too many bugs, trees, etc. So now I need to figure out how to finish it out. I watched some videos about cutting and buffing. I didn't really understand much about it. I know there are a million things to know if you're a pro, but I'm trying to whittle it down to just what I need.
I watched this video, among others:
which has a good explanation of polishing, compounding and wet sanding. I assume I need to go more aggressive than polishing, but I'm not sure if I need to just compound and polish, or wet sand, compound and polish. I also am not sure what kind of tools I need (rotary vs DA buffer, air vs electric) and what kind of pads, sandpaper, compounds, polishes, I am starting from scratch, I have nothing yet. So can you give me some guidance on that? Part of the consideration should probably be that I'm a total novice, so what type of tools and products are the most idiot-proof.
Here are some pics. I used Cromabase and SPI UV Clear, 2 coats each. I was a little worried about the base. I mixed it for fifteen minutes and could still see some light streaks in it. It didn't seem to be entirely mixing. But it went down nice. I was glad that 2 coats was enough, that stuff is expensive!
Of course, being my first time, it's far from perfect. I have a fair amount of orange peel and trash. Painting in my little shop, there's just no amount of cleaning I can do that'll keep the trash out around here. Too many bugs, trees, etc. So now I need to figure out how to finish it out. I watched some videos about cutting and buffing. I didn't really understand much about it. I know there are a million things to know if you're a pro, but I'm trying to whittle it down to just what I need.
I watched this video, among others:
which has a good explanation of polishing, compounding and wet sanding. I assume I need to go more aggressive than polishing, but I'm not sure if I need to just compound and polish, or wet sand, compound and polish. I also am not sure what kind of tools I need (rotary vs DA buffer, air vs electric) and what kind of pads, sandpaper, compounds, polishes, I am starting from scratch, I have nothing yet. So can you give me some guidance on that? Part of the consideration should probably be that I'm a total novice, so what type of tools and products are the most idiot-proof.
Here are some pics. I used Cromabase and SPI UV Clear, 2 coats each. I was a little worried about the base. I mixed it for fifteen minutes and could still see some light streaks in it. It didn't seem to be entirely mixing. But it went down nice. I was glad that 2 coats was enough, that stuff is expensive!