3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Buffing is a lot of work

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-19-04, 09:05 PM
  #1  
Do it right, do it once

Thread Starter
iTrader: (30)
 
turbojeff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Eugene, OR, usa
Posts: 4,830
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 8 Posts
Buffing is a lot of work

Today my bodyguy came over and we started rubbing out the paint on the CYM. I've buffed plenty of cars and even color sanded them but this is the first time I've been tutored through the process by a guy that new what he was doing. Some of you might be interested in the process.

First we went around the car with 1500 grit and "nibbed" any spots that were in the paint like lint, dirt, etc. That really didn't take long and we only found ~15 little spots in the car. We used a hard backed small block so that it would flatten out any high spots. A soft backed pad doesn't cut the high spots as well.

Then we taped off all the trim around the windows, doors and covered the engine bay in plastic.

Then we went around the car with 2000 grit (I didn't know they made it that fine) wet/dry paper on a DA. We sanded the entire top of the car and the sides down to about the middle of the door.

Then we took 4000 grit (didn't know they made that either) and sanded the roof and hood. This sand paper is so fine that it really leaves the car looking like it is only slightly faded not completely dull.

After that we (ok he did this part) took some "red" compound on a white buffing wheel and polished it out to a pretty high shine.

Then we went around the car with a yellow buffing wheel with "white" compound. This leaves a very high shine.

Unfortunately some small piece of dirt got between the sandpaper disk and the hood and left small scratches in it and require resanding with the 2000 grit to remove them. We ran out of time and stopped there.

Tomorrow we will finished the hood and then buff the rest of the car once again with a foam buffing pad to remove any swirl marks that might be left.

I would have taken pictures but there isn't a lot to take pics of, the paint does not appear to be sanded down in most pics, and buffed out it doesn't really look any shinier in pics.

Here is a link to some pics of the project car I'm referring to...

http://community.webshots.com/album/89560034SgoVwL

Now hopefully I'll be able to put the motor in it soon.

Jeff
Old 12-19-04, 09:20 PM
  #2  
Cheap Bastard

iTrader: (2)
 
adam c's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: San Luis Obispo, Ca
Posts: 8,370
Received 50 Likes on 42 Posts
Jeff,

I don't know much about paint. Is this car clearcoated, or are you buffing the actual paint?
Old 12-19-04, 09:30 PM
  #3  
don't race, don't need to

 
spurvo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Tri-Cities, WA
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
God, that's beautiful....
Old 12-19-04, 09:48 PM
  #4  
2/4 wheel cornering fiend

 
Kento's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 3,090
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
4000 grit paper? Isn't the final glazing compound 4000 grit?
Old 12-19-04, 10:34 PM
  #5  
Full Member

 
JebenKurac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manville, NJ
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
why bother with a stock front end? and that kid seat rocks man
Old 12-19-04, 10:52 PM
  #6  
Stabbed by a pen

iTrader: (1)
 
oneflytrini's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Tamarac, Florida
Posts: 2,035
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Hey Jeff, is that you in pic 100_2247? I always imagined you as a hairy guy who hated kids J/k
I can't wait for a vid of that thing running down a nice stretch of road.
Old 12-19-04, 11:01 PM
  #7  
.

iTrader: (2)
 
diablone's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: -
Posts: 2,185
Received 26 Likes on 18 Posts
Originally Posted by JebenKurac
why bother with a stock front end? and that kid seat rocks man

Because it's the best looking bumper available?
Old 12-19-04, 11:04 PM
  #8  
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary

iTrader: (4)
 
BigIslandSevens's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Denver, NC
Posts: 3,531
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
that's debateable
Old 12-19-04, 11:08 PM
  #9  
Do it right, do it once

Thread Starter
iTrader: (30)
 
turbojeff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Eugene, OR, usa
Posts: 4,830
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 8 Posts
Originally Posted by JebenKurac
why bother with a stock front end? and that kid seat rocks man

I debated about getting the 99 front but in the end that plate holder killed it for me. I didn't want a fiberglass front end because I've seen what they look like after a few miles.
Old 12-19-04, 11:09 PM
  #10  
Do it right, do it once

Thread Starter
iTrader: (30)
 
turbojeff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Eugene, OR, usa
Posts: 4,830
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 8 Posts
Originally Posted by adam c
Jeff,

I don't know much about paint. Is this car clearcoated, or are you buffing the actual paint?
CYM's are a 3 stage paint, base (yellow), pearl and clear. This car was actually painted as a 2 stage, pearl was mixed in with the yellow.

To answer your question we were buffing the clear.
Old 12-19-04, 11:26 PM
  #11  
*******

iTrader: (9)
 
prew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
wow. I'd feel bad driving a car that clean. great work.
Old 12-19-04, 11:45 PM
  #12  
Living the dream...

iTrader: (7)
 
93silverbullet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Lookin' good Jeff!
Old 12-19-04, 11:56 PM
  #13  
For Sale

iTrader: (6)
 
mazdaspeed00's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Irvine
Posts: 2,133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
cute pic of you kid sitting in the back of the fd.
Old 12-20-04, 06:54 AM
  #14  
Lives on the Forum

 
DamonB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Dallas
Posts: 9,617
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
That is a beautiful car, Jeff. Are all those shiny parts I'm seeing on the underbody and ib the engine bay new or just cleaned and/or repainted?
Old 12-20-04, 06:58 AM
  #15  
no one ever really dies

 
IOJINXOI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: White Plains, Maryland
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by turbojeff
CYM's are a 3 stage paint, base (yellow), pearl and clear. This car was actually painted as a 2 stage, pearl was mixed in with the yellow.

To answer your question we were buffing the clear.
This is not accurate. The stages involved will vary between product. Most painters will tell you the same. This is mst likely why the one you are speaking of was layed out in two stages, base and clear. The j9 colour was done in two stage at the factory. Not three. Nice looking car regardless.
Old 12-20-04, 11:20 AM
  #16  
Senior Member

iTrader: (11)
 
mecman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 643
Received 18 Likes on 15 Posts
Dayam! Turbojeff you're my hero! That is one helluva project! What do you do for a living?

Do you plan on selling the car or keeping it after you are through?

p.s. - the IC you sold me work great!
Old 12-20-04, 02:14 PM
  #17  
Do it right, do it once

Thread Starter
iTrader: (30)
 
turbojeff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Eugene, OR, usa
Posts: 4,830
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 8 Posts
Thanks, I'm keeping it and selling my red R1.

Mechanical engineer designing injection molded plastic, cast metal (AL, Zn, Mg) and some sheetmetal parts/assemblies.

Glad to hear the IC is working well.
Old 12-20-04, 07:43 PM
  #18  
Rotary Enthusiast

iTrader: (7)
 
Mdessouki's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Va
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I feel this sequence has a little more sanding but a whole lot less buffing. Start out by using 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500 try to let the sandpaper do the work. You will end up using less cutting compound (the first material applied after sanding). Everyone has there own methods though. Also the 2 stage is a good idea, colormatching will be much easier if you ever need to spot something in.
Old 12-21-04, 01:02 AM
  #19  
Juris Doctor

iTrader: (3)
 
twinturborx7pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Panama City Beach, Florida
Posts: 2,191
Received 193 Likes on 109 Posts
turbojeff, u make me want to send my car to you lol.
Old 12-21-04, 01:27 AM
  #20  
Do it right, do it once

Thread Starter
iTrader: (30)
 
turbojeff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Eugene, OR, usa
Posts: 4,830
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 8 Posts
Originally Posted by Mdessouki
I feel this sequence has a little more sanding but a whole lot less buffing. Start out by using 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500 try to let the sandpaper do the work. You will end up using less cutting compound (the first material applied after sanding). Everyone has there own methods though. Also the 2 stage is a good idea, colormatching will be much easier if you ever need to spot something in.
Your probably right. I don't know how screwed $$ wise I got on the sandpaper but ~12 discs were about $45 for Abralon (sp?). I wouldn't want to buy that much sandpaper, compound is cheaper.

I've figured everybody has there own method but at least I've got a little insight to *one* method.
Old 12-21-04, 01:31 AM
  #21  
fart on a friends head!!!

 
rotorbrain's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: sheppard AFB, TX
Posts: 4,104
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by twinturborx7pete
turbojeff, u make me want to send my car to you lol.
no joke!!! my car has a salvaged title and "I" can tell. . . most everyone else cant, but it absolutely kills me!!! im sure the price for the repairs i want are enough to kill me as well!!! hahaha, my dreams are smashed yet again. booooo. hahahaha.

jeff, that is a sweet deal you have there. . . keep of the outstanding work!!!!

paul
Old 12-21-04, 08:07 AM
  #22  
Potato Love

 
Larz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Normal, Illinois
Posts: 1,344
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Uhhhhhhh yeahhhhhhh. Had to mazdabate.
Old 12-21-04, 02:24 PM
  #23  
Rotors keep you going

 
speedx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
looks good
Old 12-21-04, 06:25 PM
  #24  
Rotary Enthusiast

iTrader: (7)
 
Mdessouki's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Va
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by turbojeff
Your probably right. I don't know how screwed $$ wise I got on the sandpaper but ~12 discs were about $45 for Abralon (sp?). I wouldn't want to buy that much sandpaper, compound is cheaper.

I've figured everybody has there own method but at least I've got a little insight to *one* method.
I use the black or grey wet or dry sheets thats dirts cheap you can even find it in assorted packs at your local wallmart. The things you bought are great but not cost effective and only work well on light colored cars. Not a big deal for a one time thing but not a good idea if you need them regularly.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Samsquanch
Introduce yourself
7
09-08-15 04:51 PM
coltboostin
Rotary Drag Racing
0
08-20-15 11:37 PM



Quick Reply: Buffing is a lot of work



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:33 AM.