As some of you know, I took on the project of refinishing my targa as it had become oxidized and took away from the looks of the car. I did it once, but was not really satisfied with the looks once I got done, so decided to start over, and take my time this time.

I also have to thank Randy, as he gave me some awesome pointers, and wouldnt let me get discouraged and throw in the towel. THANK YOU!

I started out with 800 grit, then 1000, 1500, then last but not least 2000. Then after I got it sanded down pretty smoothly and most of the imperfections out, clear coated. Thats when the fun started. Every time I sprayed, it caused flaws, so would sand down again, and respray. I didnt sand down all the way each time, just enough to remove the imperfections. Then I would respray, thinking, OKAY, this time it will be perfect. Wrong. Anyway, to make a long story short, I resanded again, then went down to the local auto store and invested in Meguires med grit, fine grit, and swirl remover Mirror Glaze. I sanded down once more, and decided to give it a shot before calling the local paint shop. You got it, it worked, and removed almost all the imperfections, and gave it a glaze that wont quit. So with all that said and done, on to the pics of the process and the finished result!

 

WOW Laura, that's impressive!!! Good job!

 

Thank you.

 

Nice reward for lots of hard work. Nice job.

The best part is, I get my garage back.

 

looks good laura, hows the sale of it going?

 

Have had a few tire kickers, but nothing solid yet.
I'm just being patient.

Laura

 

Looks very nice.

Couple of questions if I may...

Did your top have the "crackle finish" effect before you refinished it?
Did you apply the glaze with a polisher or by hand?
Finally, did you apply a clear coat after? If so, what brand?

Thanks,

Randy

 

Hi Randy,
I did have a couple of small crackles, but those appeared after I had applied the first coat of clear coat.

I did all the sanding by hand, and all of the meguires polish was applied with a polisher. The first time I tried, I had used a different kind of polish, had done it by hand, and it left swirl marks that couldnt be removed. Therefore came the second sanding. Like I said in my first post, I learned a lot in this process!

The question about the clear coat I am unsure of what you are asking. Before or after sanding? Let me know so I can answer correctly.

There are a lot of things I didnt include in my first post, like all sanding must be wet sanding only. Anything else you are unsure of for any reason, just ask.

Laura

This is the link I used for instructions, but some of it I did a bit differently. Hope this helps.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2020059

 

your doing the right thing by being paitent

 

Thus the name dreamer!

Laura

 

Thanks for the reply & the link to the other thread, Laura.

I thought originally, you applied the clear coat after sanding with the 2000 grit. It appears it supposed to go on after sanding with the 1000 grit & working from there.

Looks like I may have a project this weekend after all...

 

That is one of the differences that I did, I clear coated after sanding with the 2000, I let it dry, then sanded just to break the gloss and get out any imperfections. Then I used the meguires.I used Rustoleum clear gloss, I dont remember what he said he used. I used Krylon first, and it didnt coat well at all. I had to sand that off, and start over, it did such a poor job. Good luck to your project, and hope you get it done in a weekend, as that was my intention too.

Laura

 

Ok now its time to do mine you have any products left I will pay you call me when you get the chance you know the number. TJB

 

I need more fine grit sandpaper, I used all mine practicing!

Actually, Randy suggested that I should, as I had PLENTY of practice with mine, and I perfected it in the end! If you are truly serious, sure!

Laura

 

I am very sure I want to do the work I just need some one to show me how to go about it and I will pay for some of the products that you have left over and some for you of corse. Just got back form the Salem car show there were a lot of cars there good time had by all talk to you later. TJB

 

Good job on the top and kudos on taking on a job like that and working through all the problems.Don't know what it looked like before you started but the end product looks very nice.

 

Lets just say it wasnt pretty, extremely oxidized, and so foggy, you couldnt see out of it. It was ashamed the previous owners had let it get that bad.
Thanks for the compliment.
Laura

 

Did you ever start on the weekend project?
Laura

 

Ok, I know for a fact you finished yours, so let everyone see how it turned out!
Laura

 

It turned out great not a 10 but a good 8 3/4 so I will let it be for a few months, I will make it a 10 1/2 before the first car show next year.

Will get some photos on the net soon, work on it tonight I hope.