Well I was watching the powerblock over the weekend and an episode of trucks! caught my attention. It was about color sanding your paint to get the sratches and swirls out of the clear. When I painted my car it got the 3 stage paint job (primer,base,clear) and looked awesome for awhile. Now it is just full of swirls and rubbing compound isn't doing much. So what I got out of the episode was: use 2000-2500 grit paper, keep paint wet and use 90 degree strokes. What they didn't say was if this can be done on a old paintjob (2 years), how can you tell when the orange peel is gone, what type of compound/glaize to use, if u can use a random obrital polisher and how to tell if you have gone through the clear? If you guys have got any input/ experence post it! thx guys

 

try the clay bar method first, a bar of special clay with detailer wax. You go over the car with the clay using the wax as a lubricant and the clay pulls the dirt and crap out of the paint. it's a pain to do, but it might work and it'll be easier than wet sanding

 

To answer your last question first: You'll *know* when you go through the clear if you're looking closely while sanding - the color will change. It will be *really* noticeable when dried. Unfortunately, it's too late to do anything at that point except re-paint. (so be careful :-)
2500 would be good for old paint, keep wet while sanding, strokes don't really matter. Use a sponge pad to avoid making finger ripples. Stay off the edges, both with the sanding & the buffing.
Buff with quality compound (I use 3M Perfect-it 3000, part #06062). Always make sure the pad is turning *off* of the edges. After buffing, polish it with a hand glaze (Meguires' #7 or similiar) or paste wax.
Try a small spot & see if the results are what you're looking for. Again; if you don't know how much clear is on it don't get carried away with the sanding. 2500 doesn't take off much, though, so you should be OK.
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing.

 

Should have re-read your post...
Dry it off. When all the shine is gone the orange peel is gone (you'll see).

Yes that will work great. My previous comment about buffing *off* of the edges applies to a rotating buffer.
HTH,
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

If guns cause crime, all of mine are defective.

 

I would say the new guy covered color sanding quite well. Welcome Driver.

 

thx guys, i will post some pics after I finish. ( sounds like this job will take a week!)

 

Thank you. I've been doing this shtuff - custom autobody/paint/fabrication - for 35+ years (professionally). Just got an RX7 - still gotta get it home & running. I try to help when I can.
I have several projects, including a Fiero (making custom body panels & plan to install a SBC), A V8 Z car (SB Mopar), & a VW Cabriolet (think Rabbit convertible) that I'm building mid-engine using Fiero running gear & a 300HP 283 SBC.
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

Why do they call it reckless driving if it causes wrecks?

 

A few drops of liquid soap in your sanding water helps as well. I got lazy and bought a water bug, an air sander that feeds water to the surface, I can do a whole car in about an hour.

Also, when buffing, if you are scared of sharp edges put a piece of masking tape along the ridge. That will give you a little more time to notice you are about to screw up when the tape starts moving away.

 

im a body man by trade ...an tha driver is rite on with his explantion!

 

Color sanding is called wet sanding. And all you have is a 2 stage paint not 3, primer doesnt count as a stage in painting. But get a 5 gallon bucket fill it with water, get some 2000grit wetsend paper. Orange peel looks just like it sounds like the peel of an orange. when wetsanding you want to keep a descent amount of water on the paint and it will come off milky looking. that is the clearcoat. If you are wetsanding and you start to get color you have sanded to far. after removing the orange peel compound and glaze. meguires has a good compound and glaze, but 3M is the best.

 

He's right three stage is when you have a base, candy/translucent or prismatic, & then clear.
Water buckets work OK. but I've found it best to use a hose (cut the metal end off so you don't scratch the car) or a squirt or squeeze bottle. Try to keep a trickle of water at all times. Whatever you use, listen closely & if you hear an "ee-ee, ee-ee", stop & rinse the car & paper off. That's a peice of dirt scratching the paint.
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

Headline: APATHY RUNS RAMPANT - Nobody cares.

 

After watching that episode I did this to my wifes saturn and the results we fantastic. Use a little soap and always lots and lots of water. I've used the clay bar also, it works well also.