Another Deep Scratch - Clearcoat application question.

[dhahlen]

I picked up a car and there was a pretty haggard touch up job done on the rear quarter panel.



The clearcoat and paint had clearly been scraped off by something, and they did a half-assed job applying the touch up paint. It looked like they used the touch up paint brush and just slapped some on and let it dry. There wasn't any sanding or anything done so it looked pretty bad.



What I've done so far:



I cleaned with dish soap and let it dry overnight, then I cleaned with a paint-prep and let it dry prior to sanding. I wet sanded the small area where it was scratched with 1000 grit. I got the area I wanted to repaint down to metal. I couldn't find any 1200 grit, but I think it'll be fine. After sanding, I cleaned the area again and applied primer with a small artists paint brush - I let this dry overnight.



This morning, I used a #2 artists paint brush and applied a small layer of touch up paint. Now, this was the first layer and the area looks uneven and blotchy, as you would expect.



Here is what I'd like to ask:



I am going to apply a couple more layers of touch up paint. Should I smooth out or sand the painted area with 1500 grit PRIOR to applying clear coat, or afterward?



I have a feeling, if I apply clear coat of the blotchy area of paint before sanding it, then it will look pretty bad. I am told that clear coat can fill in imperfections, but I am not sure what to do.



I play on doing 3-4 layers of paint and 2 layers of clear coat, then wet sanding down to make it smooth, and then polishing. My concern was, if I applied clearcoat and then sanded, I'd just be sanding away the clear coat and I wouldn't be able to smooth out the paint.



So.. to summarize:



1.) Do I sand the touch up paint before applying clear coat?

2.) Should I apply the clear coat to the blotchy touch up paint, and then sand?



Thanks in advance,

Darren

 

[Accumulator]

So.. to summarize:



1.) Do I sand the touch up paint before applying clear coat?

2.) Should I apply the clear coat to the blotchy touch up paint, and then sand?

Welcome to Autopia!



First, let me say that my touchups (of metallic paint) seldom turn out very well...they usually look good from *one* viewing angle, but it's seldom the angle that I'd like.



Anyhow...I don't sand the basecoat, I only (wet)sand the clear. I *never* wetsand it with anything coarser than 2K either, and I usually go with 2500 or 3K. Use Meguiar's/Nikken or Mirka sanding paper/pads, these leave a much more uniform finish IME than 3M/others (though I hear 3M has some new stuff out that's better than their older paper).



I *REALLY* don't think you oughta use the 1500, way too coarse IMO.



The basecoat shouldn't be all *that* blotchy :think: Maybe you need to shake it up better, or apply more/less each time. I dunno just how big your area is, but I seldom even use a #1, more often than not I use a zero, or even multi-zero size brush.



Also, try to have the touchup paint at the right thickness. Too thick/thin makes it even harder to get things looking good. Watch what you thin it with, I tried regular laquer thinner with a seemingly lacquer-based touchup paint and it did *NOT* mix right, still dunno why not :nixweiss



I dunno if the above was of much help, but there are some good threads here about touchups, might be worth the dreaded search.

 

[dhahlen]

I was using this guide... but it mentioned you may or may not use clear coat.



http://guidetodetailing.com/articles.php?articleId=27&page=3



It mentioned the use of 1200 grit as well was the 1500-2000.



I'll switch to 2000-2500 after I am done layering the base coat and we'll see how that goes.

 

[dhahlen]

Thanks for the reply and welcome.



The paint came with the car - it's a factory touch up bottle and it seems to match pretty well so far.



I've applied 4 layers of paint and still need a small amount more at one edge of the gash. I figure another layer or two and I should be good, then I can go ahead and apply a couple coats of clear and let it dry for 48 hours before I sand it.



I just used the 1000 grit to clean up the mess someone else made, but when I go to smooth it over, I'll be using 2000 grit.. and then I'll clean it up with some Meguiars Scratch-X or 3M Rubbing Compound, I have both and I've had good experience with the Meguiars products.



Like I said, it can't be much worse than it was initially.



Worse case - I spend the money to have the whole quarter panel blended and repainted.



We'll see how it goes, I should be finished by the weekend.

 

[Accumulator]

dhahlen- Different people approach this stuff in different ways. I apply plenty of clear.



I also let the clear dry as long as possible before sanding.



Hope things go well.

 

[dhahlen]

Thanks Accumulator.



Currently, the base coat is a bit higher than the chip, do you think I should sand it down just slightly below the chip to make room for the clear coat?



I think if I applied clear now, it'd just get sanded off when I went to smooth things out.



Your input is appreciated.



Thanks

 

[dhahlen]

I went and sanded down the area i painted, and that area looks good, but the paint was thin around it so it ended up taking some of the surrounding area down to metal. So now I need to start all over.



I think I am just going to fork over the money and take it to a body shop and have them respray the whole panel

 

[Accumulator]

dhahlen- Yeah, it does sound like a bit much for a quick/simply DIY fix.

 

[dhahlen]

I guess I was down to the primer, not the metal - heh.



I added a bit more touch up paint, I'm going to add another couple layers tonight and wetsand with 2000 grit tomorrow evening.



If I don't like the results, I'll just get a quote for a repaint on monday.



Also - a sanding question.



If you have some scarring from 1000 grit, and go over it with 2000 grit, it should be easier to remove with a polishing compound correct? As 1000 grit is pretty rough and 2000 might make it a bit easier?