Would I be able to buff out small scratches in a black paint job without repainting, the scratches are small, only able to be seen when a light glares on them, on most of the car.
Car paint job question?
- Thread starter aquaculture
- Start date
From the description, it sounds ok. But from a person that does that for a living, the customer description is usually miles from the real thing lol. Can you feel them with your fingernail?
yes, use a tiny bit of rubbing compound and about 5 min with an orbital buffer. If you don't have one you can get one for $20 at autozone, or other autoparts store. I buffed out a hood full of scratches for $25.00.
If it doesn't come out in 5-10 min, the scratch is deeper than a minor surface scratch, and might need touch-up paint.
If it doesn't come out in 5-10 min, the scratch is deeper than a minor surface scratch, and might need touch-up paint.
BTW, you can do it by hand with a handbuffer, it will just take a while longer. And do this in this shade, if you can (at least somewhere where it's not too hot).
If you feel uncomfortable using a power buffer, do it by hand. Better to play it safe than rub through all your clear coat.
If you feel uncomfortable using a power buffer, do it by hand. Better to play it safe than rub through all your clear coat.
cassharper;3603723; said:
Almost. If it doesn't come out with a buff, you can still sand on it some. You just have to be careful if the paint is original, as the clear's not as thick as one that's been repainted, and you risk sanding through. Which is why I ask, can you feel it with your fingernail?
p.s.....black sucks to buff on. It's the hardest color to do so and make it look good.
ALso, what kind/year of car is it?
96 ford explorer, all the ones i went over can't feel with fingernail to well or not at all, has original clear coat so ill just spend the day doing the whole car by hand don't want that to disapear. it is my mums car and doing this would be a great xmas gift, she likes it when a car shines and yah see no scratches or marks.
thanks.
ps she only uses it as a street car no off road stuff.
thanks.
ps she only uses it as a street car no off road stuff.
aquaculture;3603782; said:
Gotcha. By hand you will not be happy with. The ones you can feel well won't rub out, but may hide some. You'll need compound, polishing glaze, and a good wax or swirl mark remover. Simply using compound will make every spot you rubbed look dull. With a black car of that age you're going to want to do it all. If you can work up the courage to use a machine on it, you'll be much happier in the end. You can turn most of them down to a speed you're comfortable with. If it were mine, I'd run 3000 grit sand paper over the whole thing (you can get it for a da sander, just run over it lightly to smooth up imperfections), then buff the car complete. Basically, here's what you need:
DA Sander, 3000 grit paper (3-4 sheets should be plenty), and a water bottle (keep it wet while sanding)
Buffer
Compound and pad
Glaze and pad
Swirl remover and pad or wax (swirl rem will have better results)
A couple good, clean microfiber towels
Note all pads are different, don't use the same pad for all. And the 3000 grit is just an extra helper, not a requirement.
now when my check comes i got a list to shop by. ill use the machine , i just did'nt want to over do it and leave the paint without a clear coat.
Just remember to keep the buffer slow, and keep it moving. The worst thing you can do is stop moving while the buffer is still running, that's when you burn through. Only do small areas at a time like 2'x2', fluid motions side to side, and don't let the material dry up on the car. When you buff an area out, wipe it clean with the towel. Go over each area a couple times, a couple minutes each. And watch what you're slinging, make sure you wash the whole car when you're done, making sure to get all the little dots of extra material off or it will dry onto the car. The key with black is watching your swirl marks. You'll know what I'm talking about when you do it. Let me know when you get closer to doing it and I can try to help you out a little more.
