Need help!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: '85 L98 Coupe Auto Chicago,IL
Need help!!
Howdy all, I bought my 85 vette off my buddy who had it repainted about 2 year ago at maaco. The car looks great from 5 feet away, but when u get up close to it u can see on the hood a ton of imperfections. It looks like there was either dirt/dust on the car befor it was painted OR the spay gun was dirty. either way to me it drives me NUTZ(it didnt bother my friend so much). Trust me, he thinks they did a GREAT job, but i have spent the last 2 months getting off the clearcoat over spay on EVERY piece of glass there is, and paint overspray off every trim part there is
ANYWAYS... whats is the best way to combat these inperfections of dirt/dust in the hood paint? will a orbital buffer do the trick or how about a clay bar?? I would hate to wet sand it as knowing my luck i will mess it up and go to deep. thanks a ton for your help...
ANYWAYS... whats is the best way to combat these inperfections of dirt/dust in the hood paint? will a orbital buffer do the trick or how about a clay bar?? I would hate to wet sand it as knowing my luck i will mess it up and go to deep. thanks a ton for your help...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,739
Likes: 0
From: New Port Richey Florida
I would start with the claybar, then an RO or Orbital buffer. Save the wet sanding for your last effort. If you're not experienced with it or are worried about going through the clearcoat, you could call some reputable autobody/detailing shops in your area and get some quotes. 
Last edited by mrosa65; Oct 7, 2006 at 10:29 AM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
Clay bar will remove some contaminents in paint and make surface smoother, but you will need to polish to remove and reduce the swirls. Here is a couple video's to help you see how easy it is to polish.
http://www.autogeek.net/po.html
http://www.autogeek.net/po.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,744
Likes: 2
From: The King of Bling
St. Jude Donor '10
Sounds like you will probably need to wet sand the dirt and inperfections out of the paint providing there is enough clear coat on the car. You will probably need a rotary to bring the shine back up. I would use 2500 or 3000.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 11
From: Lewes DE
Originally Posted by 85C4Man
. It looks like there was either dirt/dust on the car befor it was painted OR the spay gun was dirty.
What you're describing to me are dust / dirt particles that have base coat (pigmented layer) over top of them, and are therefor visible as bumps in the paint. If this is the case, then of course there's nothing you can do but sand down to the primer or plastic and repaint.I've done this on my motorcycle, but would never attempt a repaint like this on a Vette. If you really have particles under the pigmented layer of paint, cut your losses and go to a better body shop.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 0
From: Boulder CO.
Originally Posted by 85C4Man
Howdy all, I bought my 85 vette off my buddy who had it repainted about 2 year ago at maaco. The car looks great from 5 feet away, but when u get up close to it u can see on the hood a ton of imperfections. It looks like there was either dirt/dust on the car befor it was painted OR the spay gun was dirty. either way to me it drives me NUTZ(it didnt bother my friend so much). Trust me, he thinks they did a GREAT job, but i have spent the last 2 months getting off the clearcoat over spay on EVERY piece of glass there is, and paint overspray off every trim part there is ANYWAYS... whats is the best way to combat these inperfections of dirt/dust in the hood paint? will a orbital buffer do the trick or how about a clay bar?? I would hate to wet sand it as knowing my luck i will mess it up and go to deep. thanks a ton for your help...
ANYWAYS... whats is the best way to combat these inperfections of dirt/dust in the hood paint? will a orbital buffer do the trick or how about a clay bar?? I would hate to wet sand it as knowing my luck i will mess it up and go to deep. thanks a ton for your help...
Goose
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: '85 L98 Coupe Auto Chicago,IL
thank for the help all. I had my neighbor look at it(he used to be a body guy some 20 years ago which i forgot about) and he basically said just leave it alone and enjoy the car. You can only notice it up close and like he said it isn't a show car, and if i wanted a show car i would have paid a lot more. Basically he said i would need to sand the entire car(he noticed more stuff like silicone or something
) and IF there is clear coat left then buf, but he figured it would just lead to a new paint job, and its not worth it to me. It more of one of them things that bothers me more then others so i figure i will just save my time and money and maybe use it for more mods here is a pic from a few month ago when i 1st got it(i have since fixed the wheels just don't have the pics up yet) like i said doesn't look to bad from a few feet away
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...n/coolvett.jpg
) and IF there is clear coat left then buf, but he figured it would just lead to a new paint job, and its not worth it to me. It more of one of them things that bothers me more then others so i figure i will just save my time and money and maybe use it for more mods here is a pic from a few month ago when i 1st got it(i have since fixed the wheels just don't have the pics up yet) like i said doesn't look to bad from a few feet awayhttp://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...n/coolvett.jpg
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 11
From: Lewes DE
She IS a nice looking car. You probably made the best decision. All of us nuts in here have to come to terms with little imperfections. You cannot have perfect paint if you ever actually drive the car. So eventually we all have to take a Valium and just live with minor flaws.
You really CAN get into a lot of trouble wetsanding the entire car, even by someone who is experienced.
Just get her out and enjoy the ride !
You really CAN get into a lot of trouble wetsanding the entire car, even by someone who is experienced.
Just get her out and enjoy the ride !