Polishing question...

Hey guys,

I've needed to polish a couple bodies in the past, but really haven't for 6-10 months until now. I've been practicing on an old scrap body, but the problem is, I seem to have forgot the finer details of it.

Question 1 - How long do you usually "apply" the compound? (i.e. how much paint do you let build up on the rag?) I think I may be doing this too long.

Question 2 - Do you wet the rag while applying/removing compound? I remember doing this before, but can't remember what kind of results I got by doing it.

Well, that's all I seem to be having trouble with right now. I keep getting bad swirl marks/hazing i the paint, so I think I've narrowed it down some.

Thanks,
Coug

Question 1 - How long do you usually "apply" the compound?

Keep rubbing until the finish is to "your" liking or until you go thru the paint to the primer-not recommended

Question 2 - Do you wet the rag while applying/removing compound?

Always keep the rag wet and clean ,the water acts as a lubricant and prevents heat buildup
:bandit: Mike

Yep... #2 was the culprit. I was wetting the rag, but not nearly enough to keep the paint from burning.

I had no idea what difference a little water could make... amazing. Thanks for the help. You saved my scrap body from a toss against the wall. :)

Coug

I'll drop my question in this thread.
Can I use 3m products to remove orange peel? I found the following link: http://www.3m.com/us/auto_marine_aero/aad/solutions/ent_peel.jhtml

It says you need:
3M™ Imperial™ Wetordry™ Sandpaper, grade 1200 or finer (32022)
3M™ Perfect-It™ II Rubbing Compound - Fine Cut (liquid 39002 or paste 39502)
for Orange peel | Repainted 1 - 30 days ago.

Can these products be safely used on a model?

Well, basically it sounds like all you're getting is wet/dry sandpaper and rubbing compound. Rubbing compound and polishing compound are two very different things. Rubbing compound is a lot more coarse than polishing compound, and most likely will rub right through paint on a model no matter how hard you try (speaking from experience). You should be able to find the wet/dry paper at almost any hardware store/Wal-Mart/etc.

Oh... and FYI the wet/dry paper will get the orange peel out while the polishing compound restores the shine. Don't expect the polishing compound to do much else. :)

Hope I could help.
Coug

so you need sandpaper and rubbing compound to remove orange peel?

I just polished my 3000GT, and it didn't do anything but make it shiney, like you said. Weird thing is, I rubbed and rubbed and rubbed, but I never got the paint on the rag, even when I switched to a dry rag! I'm using Turtle Wax white polishing compound. Is it too weak or something?


Also, all that white gunk left over from the polish in the body lines is really annoying. Is there an easy way to get rid of it? Or do I have to pick all of it out with a toothpick or something?

Originally posted by The Cougar
Well, basically it sounds like all you're getting is wet/dry sandpaper and rubbing compound. Rubbing compound and polishing compound are two very different things. Rubbing compound is a lot more coarse than polishing compound, and most likely will rub right through paint on a model no matter how hard you try (speaking from experience). You should be able to find the wet/dry paper at almost any hardware store/Wal-Mart/etc.

Oh... and FYI the wet/dry paper will get the orange peel out while the polishing compound restores the shine. Don't expect the polishing compound to do much else. :)

Hope I could help.
Coug

Today I went on a hunt for grade 1200 sanding paper. Tonight I did a bit of sanding with some soapy water (I read that in Guidy's tutorial) and I must say, the body is ready for some new layers of paint.
I removed a few dust particles and some air bubbles, it works good such fine sanding paper.

so you need sandpaper and rubbing compound to remove orange peel?
There are alot of variables to consider before deciding on a sanding method,is it automotive primer,auto paint,how many coats of paint,is it clear coated ,how hard are you rubbing , the bottom line is practice-practice-practice

Also, all that white gunk left over from the polish in the body lines is really annoying. Is there an easy way to get rid of it? Or do I have to pick all of it out with a toothpick or something?

A tooth brush (an old one) dipped in some soapy water should remove the residue in the cracks

:bandit: Mike