Run in clear coat

John Milner

Promoted Users
My quarter panel on my GTO has a run in the clearcoat. The run is probably a foot long down the middle of the quarter panel. The paint job on my car is several years old. I tried to sand the sag out. I used 800 and worked up to 1,500 grit. I buffed the quarter panel with a wool pad and 3m compound in the yellow bottle and it looked good for a couple weeks. Then the run starts becoming more visible. The run is a white color. I can buff it again and get the same results....it eventually becomes visible again. Does anyone have any recommendations on how to solve this issue other than re-shooting the quarter and re-clearing? Thanks
 
I have had good results with the Tolecut blocks and precut sheets on my viscosity test strips. Use dry guide coat. Work it from 800 to 2500. Texasking put me onto them. I get them at Eagle Guys.

3M compound isn’t optimum imho. ACA 3D 500 on a black pad works better in my experience. Jim put me onto it.

Don
 
Unsuccessful attempts to flatten out a run can unfortunately remove too much material from around the run while not adequately sanding down the run itself. Each subsequent attempt, even if better done, carries an ever greater risk of going through the paint. Be prepared to possibly re-paint that area if you want to keep trying to remove the run.
 
John M, do a search on forum for runs. Here's one..
 
I salvaged this quarter:
P1010001.JPG


Went over it with some 1000 grit first and then realized I would sand through if I kept going.

P1010007.JPG


I used a piece of oak and then carefully tried to sand just the runs without touching the surrounding clear. A coarse grit can be used here but extreme care is needed not to hit the surrounding clear. This is where guys will use filler or tape. I personally never tried either of those methods myself so can't comment.
You can still see the runs here but it shows the progress being made:
P1010002.JPG


I switched to a 1000 on the block at this point to get the runs level with the surrounding clear. The cut and buffed the entire quarter using 1000, 1500 and 2000 grit.

Finished product without any new clear added. By the way I had 4 coats of clear on the car and as can be seen by the runs, it was hosed on. :rolleyes:
Runs Gone.JPG

Right Rear Quarter.JPG
 
Thanks for the tips everyone. I feel like I have the run flat. It is strange that the run is not visible after I buff. After a little time passes, it is visible. I may try a different compound and pad and see what happens.
 
Thanks for the tips everyone. I feel like I have the run flat. It is strange that the run is not visible after I buff. After a little time passes, it is visible. I may try a different compound and pad and see what happens.
3m is known to have oils that hide scratches and other things. You really have to clean it with 710 for fresh paint or alcohol for well cured. That'll clean that off and you can see what's left.
 
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