1963 Dart 170 2 Door Post Resto
So, after many hours of compounding with the buffer (thank god I bought one...lol) and many hours of wet sanding again I think I finally have it where I'm pretty happy with it. I discovered that the cheaper amazon wet sandpaper is crap. Fine for not so detailed work, but not so much for final. Some of it seemed ok quality but it seemed coarser than the 3M paper. I was having issues getting the sanding scratches out of the hood and roof, so I decided to pay up for the 3M paper. While not much different it really seemed to make it go smoother. I also discovered (remember, this is my first paint job and first time wet sanding) that I was stopping the buffer too early and wiping it off. I decided to let the buffer run a little longer once the compound was applied and it seemed to help take the scratches out much faster. I was nervous about the buffer pad getting too dry and heating and burning through the clear.
Either way, this is how we learn right? Took some time (and a lot of compound), but I'm pretty happy with it right now. I may go over it one more time just to fully dial it in, but I think by the end of the weekend I should be on to polish.
The reflection is great. I do see more tiger striping now that the finish is mirror like but not bad. The pictures actually make it look a lot worse than it is. It's there, but the LED lights and camera seem to highlight it. Again, first paint job. I learned a lot, and would do it again. I think next time will be even better.
I love the last two pictures. It really shows how the different angles and lighting really changes the color. I took them standing on my scaffold bench.
So, after many hours of compounding with the buffer (thank god I bought one...lol) and many hours of wet sanding again I think I finally have it where I'm pretty happy with it. I discovered that the cheaper amazon wet sandpaper is crap. Fine for not so detailed work, but not so much for final. Some of it seemed ok quality but it seemed coarser than the 3M paper. I was having issues getting the sanding scratches out of the hood and roof, so I decided to pay up for the 3M paper. While not much different it really seemed to make it go smoother. I also discovered (remember, this is my first paint job and first time wet sanding) that I was stopping the buffer too early and wiping it off. I decided to let the buffer run a little longer once the compound was applied and it seemed to help take the scratches out much faster. I was nervous about the buffer pad getting too dry and heating and burning through the clear.
Either way, this is how we learn right? Took some time (and a lot of compound), but I'm pretty happy with it right now. I may go over it one more time just to fully dial it in, but I think by the end of the weekend I should be on to polish.
The reflection is great. I do see more tiger striping now that the finish is mirror like but not bad. The pictures actually make it look a lot worse than it is. It's there, but the LED lights and camera seem to highlight it. Again, first paint job. I learned a lot, and would do it again. I think next time will be even better.
I love the last two pictures. It really shows how the different angles and lighting really changes the color. I took them standing on my scaffold bench.