polisching question

[wouter1981]

hey i have a small question

I've painted my car (side panels of caterham JPE) with automotive paints (motip spray cans) Primer, paint and clear. After about 4 days I wet-sanded then with n°1200 sandpaper and then used the tamiya rubbing compound fine and finish. But I still have scratches. Will thoses scratches disapear if I keep polishing with the finish compound, or haven't I waited long enough to let the paint fully cure out?

[freakray]

It would be a HUGE benefit to let the paint fully cure before polishing.

[toyota00]

How long does it take automotive paint to fully cure? (Tamiya Lacquere) spelling??? o'well Thanks

[gionc]

Tamiya laquer not less than 1 week, I let those to cure on a close box with a toothpick under the top: always open the top a couple time over the first days to let change the air. This tip allow you to start polishing on the paint, not on the dust

I guess acrylic autom. paint need more time. Professional epoxy autom.tints (like PPGs) only 2 or 3 hours.

[Captain Mark]

I'd go with 4000grit sandpaper first, rather than 1200. 1200 seems too harsh for my liking, and is probably what gave you a few deep scratches that the polish is having trouble removing. You could keep trying with polish, but you'll probably use the whole tube and still have the scratch there.

Check out the MicroMark website for their polishing cloth kit for the best tools for the job.