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Are you going to clear coat yours? I know some haven’t but it seems to me thT it really needs it to prevent scratching and water marks.
Currently no. If in a years time I don't like the maintenance to keep it clear, I will sand it down and take it in for clear. How is your top coming along?
Im waiting to borrower a polisher from a friend. In the meantime I used some medium cut on an orbital just to see where I'm at. I'm happy with where it's at so far. There's a body shop about a block from me that'll talk to about clear coating it and see what they say.
Thought I would share these final photos for anyone that is interested and give some final impressions. I had to take a step back and restart with 400 grit on one small section because of a very strange small spider web crack on the surface that appeared. Not sure if it was there before I started or if I accidentally burnt it while polishing. Nevertheless, I was able to get it completely out. I followed the instructions posted by others re sand paper grit and medium, fine, and 2.0 cut polishing. The only difference I made was using meguirers NXT wax on an orbital as a final step. There are still some very fine scratches from simply wiping the top with a microfiber towel but they are hardly noticeable. I am going to take it to a body shop next week to see about getting it clear coated. Overall, it def was more work than I anticipated, but I very happy with the result (as long as the clear coat lasts without cracking). Its obviously not perfect, but it sure is much better than that first photo I posted on this thread.
Thought I would share these final photos for anyone that is interested and give some final impressions. I had to take a step back and restart with 400 grit on one small section because of a very strange small spider web crack on the surface that appeared. Not sure if it was there before I started or if I accidentally burnt it while polishing. Nevertheless, I was able to get it completely out. I followed the instructions posted by others re sand paper grit and medium, fine, and 2.0 cut polishing. The only difference I made was using meguirers NXT wax on an orbital as a final step. There are still some very fine scratches from simply wiping the top with a microfiber towel but they are hardly noticeable. I am going to take it to a body shop next week to see about getting it clear coated. Overall, it def was more work than I anticipated, but I very happy with the result (as long as the clear coat lasts without cracking). Its obviously not perfect, but it sure is much better than that first photo I posted on this thread.
Sounds pretty dang close to my experience. Feels great knowing I saved a ton of money by doing it myself And I learned a lot along the way, which is probably the more valuable part in my opinion. I'll probably take mine down to 1000 grit and back up again to get rid of some stubborn sanding scratches, but I'm happy with how it sits now too. I personally have no plans to clear coat it as 1) that would increase the cost of the project significantly, negating some of your savings and 2) this stuff is extremely hard by itself...I can't imagine it scratching easily after what it took to sand it lol. And if it does get some scratches, I've already got the tools to put a quick polish or compound on it again haha
Sounds pretty dang close to my experience. Feels great knowing I saved a ton of money by doing it myself And I learned a lot along the way, which is probably the more valuable part in my opinion. I'll probably take mine down to 1000 grit and back up again to get rid of some stubborn sanding scratches, but I'm happy with how it sits now too. I personally have no plans to clear coat it as 1) that would increase the cost of the project significantly, negating some of your savings and 2) this stuff is extremely hard by itself...I can't imagine it scratching easily after what it took to sand it lol. And if it does get some scratches, I've already got the tools to put a quick polish or compound on it again haha
Took the top to a few body shops in town. None of them would clear coat it. Said it wouldn’t stick and would peel or crack in a short period of time. I wound up having a clear bra put on it for $50 which I think is a great alternative.
Took the top to a few body shops in town. None of them would clear coat it. Said it wouldn’t stick and would peel or crack in a short period of time. I wound up having a clear bra put on it for $50 which I think is a great alternative.
You would have had to sand it with 600 before you cleared it. How'd the clear bra turn out? That's not a bad idea.
And I learned a lot along the way, which is probably the more valuable part in my opinion. I'll probably take mine down to 1000 grit and back up again to get rid of some stubborn sanding scratches, but I'm happy with how it sits now too. I personally have no plans to clear coat it as 1) that would increase the cost of the project significantly, negating some of your savings and 2) this stuff is extremely hard by itself...I can't imagine it scratching easily after what it took to sand it lol. And if it does get some scratches, I've already got the tools to put a quick polish or compound on it again haha
