scratches after polishing

HI Guys !!!

I have a problem!! I read all the polishing messages but i have still a problem after the polishing i have scratches on the Paint ( look at the Picture) ich have sanded it with 1500 and after that 2000 tamiya sandpaper after that i uses tamiya polishing compound!!! I used revell enamel color !!! i airbrushed it !!! i tested it at a plastic sheet (sry i dont know the right word but i hope you know what i mean)!! My next project is the Enzo and i want a " perfect " :sun: paint job !!! and all the polishing finishes looks very good !!! so what did i wrong !!! hope you can help me !!!! cYa TheSaint

sorry for my bad english i am from germany!!! :rolleyes:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/867925P2190037.JPG

OK, so you sanded it first with 2000 grit Tamiya sandpaper, then you used Tamiya compound to polish it, right?

The problem I think, is the paint. It's a Revell Enamel which are 1.) slow to cure 2.) very soft. How long have you let the paint cure for? It may take as long as a month for it to cure completely!!

Oh that cant be the reason It dried for 3 month and for a few days i polished it !!

did you sand it lightly???

Then it might be the paint. I don't have experience with Revell enamels but enamels in general dry slowly and are softer than lacqer paints. You might try overcoating with a lacquer clearcoat, then polishing the clearcoat instead.

Be careful spraying the lacquer clearcoat over the paint, however, mist the first three to five coats to build a good up a good barrier, since the lacquer might melt or craze the revell enamel paint if you spray on too much at once.

Originally posted by daggerlee
Then it might be the paint.

nah I had the same problem with Tamiya paint.. can't fix it.. exacly like him.... Compound dont seam to work..

Probably, the paint wasn't thoroughly dry, which caused bigger screeches by the 2000 grit paper. When you press your finger, and if it leaves a relatively clear finger print, the paint isn't dry to the bottom of the layer.
Also, it's better not to use a circular motion, because the center part tends to be sanded or polished more, and there is a risk of revealing the underlying layer.
On the same piece of plastic, put the compound evenly, and make the surface a little hazy by letting it dry for a minute or two. Then start polishing, and see if there's any difference.

If that doesn't work, use higher grit like 4000, 6000, 8000.

In addition, those scratches look huge, as if there was dust/dirt trapped between the sandpaper and the paint.

The whole operation needs to be done w/some running water, to keep the sandpaper and surface clean. The damage to the surface shows me that something worse than simple sandpaper is causing those particular scratches.

I never get scratches that big when sanding. Plus the spot looks like it's not completely ready for liquid polish.

If you want perfection, you need to use the proper tools. I always use Micro Mesh or Detail Master polishing cloths, starting from 1800 and up. Usually if it's smooth enough I start w/3600. I can and do get great results polishing the paint w/3600, 4000, and then start using the compound. The compound needs to be polished into the surface, rubbing in a circular motion or back and forth in small areas, these areas need to get warm w/friction...you don't just wipe it on and wipe it off, you have to buff it to a sheen. The whole sequence takes practice.

Not knowing all the details, I can't say any one reason is what is causing your problems, I don't know the paint you are using and I don't know the conditions of when you polished it. But it looks damaged and not completely finished, and like I said if you want mirror-like results, you need to use the best products, and for me that goes well beyond 1500-2000 grit sandpapers.

Thx for the answers !!! the paint must be dry because i left it for a about 3 Month !!!!!!!! the big scratches are my fault i know but that isnt my problem !!! the problem is that you see the cicrle moves !!! normally i sand it with 12000 to finish but i looks better with polishing i think because i saw a couple of pictures here !!! any other tips ??? I think clearcoat doesn't fix the problem because you see the scratches and they are still visible !!!!
What is better paint than revell enamel ??? what do you use ???


cYa

I will test it in a few days !!! i keep you updatet !!!

did you try polishing with the compound, progressively lighter. at the end , you should just be trying to wipe the polish off.. with out much pressure.. it helps if you add more water.. to keep it wet, dont let it get dry,. or it rubs out too much.

at the end you should get these tiny scratches, and thn you polish with wax, and it should be good

You knw what
I got the same problem as well
but use polishing wax to fix it and it should be able to remove the scratches

Im not sure with your case though, since the scratches seem to be quite large.

I also want to use the compound. Correct me if I'm wrong but when you put the compound off you have to do that with some water???

Bart