Small bugs in clear

Paintsalot

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I put 3 solid coats of UC on my fenders and doors and then blocked it with 400 grit wet. So when I started my flow coats I ended up getting a couple of small bugs in the first coat on one of the fenders right on top. I tried getting them out and made it worse so I just finished my 3 coats because I already had the UC mixed. My question is can I wet sand back down to the first 3 coats of clear to get the bug mess out and then recoat as the flow coat? I would sand the whole fender and flow coat it again.
 
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If you zoom in you can see what's left of the bug
 

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If you can see the remnants of the bug, just adding more clear won't help. You will still see the bug. When I've had it happen in the past the only thing to get rid of it is to spot in some color then clear.
 
My question is can I wet sand back down to the first 3 coats of clear to get the bug mess out and then recoat as the flow coat?
Shouldn't be a problem, just try not to burn through anywhere, if you do you may need to add a coat of base to cover any halos that might appear. Make sure its all prepped and very clean before you re clear.

The other thing that may be of concern is your timeline, how fast have you put all 6? coats of clear on? If its been all done in pretty quick succession I might be wanting to let it settle out a week.
 
Shouldn't be a problem, just try not to burn through anywhere, if you do you may need to add a coat of base to cover any halos that might appear. Make sure its all prepped and very clean before you re clear.

The other thing that may be of concern is your timeline, how fast have you put all 6? coats of clear on? If its been all done in pretty quick succession I might be wanting to let it settle out a week.
First 3 coats of clear were done 9 days ago then wet sanded 3 days ago and sat in the sun for a day. The last 3 coats were sprayed yesterday afternoon and they are out in the sun right now.
 
Im with shine. That thing is so small once the car is put together with all the trim and glass, you will be the only one who knows its there.

Also consider what happens if you burn thru when sanding? You will wish you left it alone. I've been there.
 
Also if you are trying to sand it out then re-clear, you run the risk of sanding a wave into it. Be careful in your sanding.
If I end up trying to sand it out I will take the whole top of fender down 3 coats and gradually lead up to a body line. I just wasn't sure if I break into the top of my first 3 coats of clear if it would leave a ring like when you break through to base. The bug is between 3rd coat and 4th.
 
If I spot in some color should I hit the clear with 600 first or ?
Some will think this is a no-brainer, but this is a great question. I might modify it slightly by asking, "what grit should I use to hit the clear?" I need to repair the edge of a fender and I would like to spot the clear as well rather than clear the entire panel. I sure wouldn't want to cut through the original clear because I used too coarse a paper.
 
If I spot in some color should I hit the clear with 600 first or ?
Some will think this is a no-brainer, but this is a great question. I might modify it slightly by asking, "what grit should I use to hit the clear?" I need to repair the edge of a fender and I would like to spot the clear as well rather than clear the entire panel. I sure wouldn't want to cut through the original clear because I used too coarse a paper.
800 wet works well especially if it's a metallic. 600 for a solid color. You don't need to sand much just enough to cut the gloss or level any texture.
 
You should never use your fingers.:) What I meant was that even with a block, extended sanding in one area will cause a dip or a wave which will be visible.
 
The lighter the color - the bigger and blacker the bug. Never forget the huge black fly that committed suicide right in the middle of a large pearl white hood I painted for a pick up. Of course the fly waited for the clear to go wings flat.
 
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