Single stage and rock chip prevention

[Mission]

Firstly, thanks for the reply. Secondly, this afternoon I took that portion of my hood to 2000 to see what it would look like. As you know, it's still there. It's a little harder to find. I figured I couldn't lose if I had to repaint it anyway.

Hard to tell without being there in person but it looks like you've sanded through to top of the first 4 coats you sprayed.

I'm confident this is the case.

I applied some W&G remover and took a pic (below).I can't feel any dips and the reflection isn't distorted. So I think I'm good there.

Then re-clear the entire panel

It's single stage, that's why I'm wondering if I need to repaint the hood. If I do, I was just going to sand the whole thing down with 800. I already have 8 coats on there besides what I sanded off and I'm getting worried it's too thick.

If you search my member name and keyword "blender" you can find some posts where I have gone into a lot of detail about blending.

I've seen a lot of your posts on blending, especially Single Stage Repair where you explain on how to fix the quarter panel painted with single stage. I've watched several videos as well. The vast majority are for BC/CC and none of them are a SS hood. I don't have any edges to go to, so the blend line would be a big circle on the perimeter of the repair. I attached another pic so you can see where it's at on the hood. It's bigger than a quarter. I've seen a lot of blends disappear (on the computer) but they are almost all BC/CC. The post I referenced doesn't have the result posted.

You talked about not reaching the middle. The hood is off the car. It's on a motorcycle trailer. I'm about 5' 8 1/2". The problem is my arms aren't long enough without my legs hitting the wheel well. If I stand in one spot I can't swipe the middle from one edge to the other in one motion and it takes all I got to get there. I'm not coordinated enough to lean over and walk and not hit the wheel arch/fender. It's a Corvette, hood and fender are one as you know. The pattern jumps when I walk and doesn't look good either and I still can't hardly reach the middle. Now I could try something else I've thought of before if you think it might work, only if I have to paint hood and not blend it. I could hang it with an engine hoist with the front pointing down. I wouldn't be getting much dirt in it that way. This post is way too long and took me an hour already, so I'll stop. Thanks reading and all the help.

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

Being that it's SS, if you have enough color, spray the whole hood assy instead of blending. I would get it off the trailer and fashion up some type of support for it so you can paint it on the floor (not on the floor, but off the trailer). Being able to comfortably spray it is critical to a good outcome.
Personally I would fashion up something with 2x4's or block it some sort of way. Hanging it sounds good if you can do it.
Good luck, and keep asking questions if you have them. If I can help I will.

 

[Mission]

In the Perfect Paint Job it states to sand 400-800 grit. Is there any advantage to 800 over 400? Thanks

Edit: Clarification

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

In the Perfect Paint Job it states to sand 400-800 grit. Is there any advantage to 800 over 400? Thanks

Edit: Carification

Much, much, safer to use 800 especially if you don't have a lot of experience sanding. If you don't seal 800 should be considerd mandatory.

 

[Mission]

Much, much, safer to use 800 especially if you don't have a lot of experience sanding. If you don't seal 800 should be considerd mandatory.

Is there a problem with all the coats of paint I have on there? I'm gonna have 12 coats of paint on there when I'm done. I was gonna sand with 400 or 600 until I get some bleed through to the first 4 coats. I guess I should sand with 800 until I get some bleed through? I'm worried about the mils.
Should I be? Thanks.

 

[Mission]

I sanded some areas with 600 to get the tiny pinholes out. I suspect it's from me putting on the paint too thick, which I have not mastered. The hood was sanded with 800 overall, solvent based W & G remover, sit for about 1 1/2 hours, tack and paint. 4 more coats applied. 30 minutes between coats. I let it sit in the sun the next day for several hours. I blocked it 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000. Started buffing down low and went to check my progress (or lack of) with an LED flash light and it looks like an oil slick under the paint. I call it blotchy, but I don't know if that's the correct term. I searched for a couple hours reading different posts and none applied except maybe applying too thick of coats. I posted a pic with the LED flash light and without the LED flashlight. The light on my phone is an LED, though. The lowest grade I used there was 800, pre-paint. Thanks for reading.

Edit: I think the correct term is marbling.

 

[Mission]

Needs a repaint. Going to knock the paint off and reseal.