Wetsanding the MINI

[skitelluride531]

Well, a few weeks ago, when I was detailing a car, the owners cat decided to jump on my MINIs bonnet :roll:. Let some scratches...actually, this happened twice. Also, just recently I noticed a dent in the bonnet which appears to be from a rock on the highway. That also left a pretty nice scratch. I've also always had the unpleasant marks on my bonnet from the windshield wiper fluid, so I figured I would try to knock that out as well.





So, I decided to test my fate with wetsanding parts of the bonnet today to get rid of the deep scratches. I don't really have any hands-on experience with wetsanding, but figured I'd give it a shot anyway.





Process:



Remove Windshield Wiper Jet

Claybar

Wetsand scratches with 2000 grit

Polish with Meguiars #83 on a Edge2000 Yellow PC Cutting Pad (Speed 6 on PC)

Repeat

Repeat

Polish with Meguiars #80 on a Edge2000 Blue PC Finishing/Polishing Pad

Repeat

Wax with P21s





Pictures!!



Before:



Stupid Windshield Wiper fluid stains the MINI paint :impatient

Cat nails and paws can do wonders to your paint job...

Here is the scratch from the rock that hit the bonnet:

After Wetsanding:

Time to get to work:

Now after 1 Pass of Meguiars #83 (lots of hazing and micromarring - which was expected):

Skipping ahead to after final polish with M80 :

Final shot after appyling coat of P21s (removed with Monster Fluffy towel of course :lol :

I would say it is about a 90%-95% improvement. Most of the cat scratches are gone, and the scratch from the rock is completely gone. However, the paint that is marred from the windshield wiper fluid is still noticeably messed up from some angles.

 

[Deviant]

Great work on the wetsanding. Those were some pretty nasty scratches. Theres a cat in our neighborhood as well. Knock on wood it hasn't jumped on top of any of our cars yet.

 

[Scottwax]

Pretty damn impressive! :bow

 

[imported_Devilsown]

If I EVER find a cat on my car... well lets just say:

 

[imported_Devilsown]

whoops almost forgot, nice work on that wetsand, also like the car

 

[imported_Dave11]

I don't really have any hands-on experience with wetsanding, but figured I'd give it a shot anyway.

You did a fine job.....:xyxthumbs



I still don't have the guts to sand on cars yet but, seeing what can be done even with black here was very eye opening. Keep your eye on that cat......

 

[imported_Dave KG]

Excellent wrok there on getting rid of the severe looking scratches. :up

 

[gmblack3]

Nice work and props to you for having the balz to try it out.