talkJDM

Hey Guys,

I did some searching on the forums, found a couple useful threads, but I wanted to make my own and get your inputs for my own situation. I just got my car (EK Civic Hatchback) back from the Shop a couple of hours ago and I noticed it has some Orange Peel on some areas of the car. I talked to the manager, he said that they would re-shoot those areas that I didnt like, but to be honest I doubt that they'll take care of it to make it look good. The Shop I went to is a local one and it came out pretty damn nice for the price. It just has some spots where the Orange Peel needs to be wetsanded and the car needs to get a nice buff.

Anyways, what I want to know it this: How long should I wait before doing the Wetsanding and then the Buffing? What Grit Sandpaper should I use (1500, 2000)? Suggestions for Buffing the car (Brands, etc)? I am gonna most likely take it to a shop and get it done or I might do the Wetsanding myself and send it to get a nice detail done afterwards. I just need to know how long should I wait for the paint to cure so I can begin doing this. How much $$ do you guys think a Shop will charge to do Wetsanding of the entire car and then Buffing it? All inputs are welcome and appreciated ... Thanks a lot in advance guys!

- Danny

5Point7Liter

I don't know the answers to the majority of your questions...but one thing I do know is to wait atleast 10 days after paint before buffing a car. I just got my car back from paint and after the second attempt at painting my car, I noticed ALOT of overspray on my car (apparently they were painting a car nearby and it got onto my car. They told me to bring the car back in about 10 days after it has had time to cure then they would buff my car to get the overspray off.

talkJDM

Thanks for the info, much appreciated ... Anyone else have any inputs or answers to my question ... Every comment is appreciated ...

WihaSi

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by talkJDM &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Anyways, what I want to know it this: How long should I wait before doing the Wetsanding and then the Buffing? What Grit Sandpaper should I use (1500, 2000)? Suggestions for Buffing the car (Brands, etc)? I am gonna most likely take it to a shop and get it done or I might do the Wetsanding myself and send it to get a nice detail done afterwards. I just need to know how long should I wait for the paint to cure so I can begin doing this. How much $$ do you guys think a Shop will charge to do Wetsanding of the entire car and then Buffing it? All inputs are welcome and appreciated ... Thanks a lot in advance guys!

- Danny</TD></TR></TABLE>

1. How long should I wait before doing the Wetsanding and then the Buffing?
It all depends, some clear coats you can bake, wait 20 mins, then wetsand and buff. Maybe call the shop that painted your car and ask them if they used a fast flash clear. If they didn't use a fast clear you may want to wait a bit on wetsanding and buffing, a couple days should be sufficient.

2. What Grit Sandpaper should I use (1500, 2000)?
I usually just use 2000, but you can do it in steps if the orange peel is really bad. 1500 &gt; 2000.

3. Suggestions for Buffing the car (Brands, etc)?
I always use 3M, they have a great water based compound, and 3M finishing glaze. Others will tell you to use a polish also, but I never do.

4. How much $$ do you guys think a Shop will charge to do Wetsanding of the entire car and then Buffing it?
Depends how you want it buffed. If you want your panels flat and show room quality, it'll be costly. If you just want it nibbed and some orange peel removed (which they already should have done) it shouldn't be that much, it actually should be free.

talkJDM

^ Thanks a lot for the info ... I'll be getting a buddy of my friend to do the Wetsanding and Buffing ... He suggested I wait bout 4-7 days to let the paint cure and all ... He said that the "waiting period" really all depends on the type of Paint the Shop used, so I'm just gonna wait about 5 or 6 Days and get him to do the whole thing for me ... The max he will charge me would be $150.00 according to my friend since they are really close (he said it might be a lot lower, but that's the max) - is that a good price based on your experience?

WihaSi

$150.00 isn't bad at all if he's going to be fully wetsanding/buffing each panel. If he's just going to nib it and go over the orange peel, I'd try to get him to do it for like $75.

talkJDM

Yeah that's what I was thinking ... He did it to my friend for $75.00 a couple months back ... Hopefully I can get him to do it for that price ...

NoRegrets

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by WihaSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

1. How long should I wait before doing the Wetsanding and then the Buffing?
It all depends, some clear coats you can bake, wait 20 mins, then wetsand and buff. Maybe call the shop that painted your car and ask them if they used a fast flash clear. If they didn't use a fast clear you may want to wait a bit on wetsanding and buffing, a couple days should be sufficient.</TD></TR></TABLE>
A couple of days? It should be 7 to 12 days before buffing.. 5-7 days before washing.

talkJDM

Okay, so wait a Week before actually washing the car ... Now what about the Wetsanding and Buffing, should I just wait 2 weeks (or will that be too long and the Orange Peel wont easily come off)? I'm a Newb when it comes to Paint & Body Work, so enlightenment me please ...

NoRegrets

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by talkJDM &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Okay, so wait a Week before actually washing the car ... Now what about the Wetsanding and Buffing, should I just wait 2 weeks (or will that be too long and the Orange Peel wont easily come off)? I'm a Newb when it comes to Paint & Body Work, so enlightenment me please ...</TD></TR></TABLE>
I'd wait a few days before washing, 5-7 is being cautious, but 5 days should give it more than plenty of time to dry..
Wait a week to 10 days before wet sanding, or you can take it to the body shop to get it done..

Remember, these are estimates, alot of factors could speed up or slow down this process.

talkJDM

^ Alright thanks man, I really appreciated ... Another concern I have is that this car is my Daily Driver ... do you suggest me just keeping it in the Garage until the 10 Days have passed or do you think I should take it out and use it as I normally do? The thing is that lately it has been raining so I dunno if it would be good to take the car out in that weather. The car is in my Garage and will stay there until the paint has cured (unless you guys think it's okay to continue Daily use as normal) ... Suggestions?

NoRegrets

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by talkJDM &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">^ Alright thanks man, I really appreciated ... Another concern I have is that this car is my Daily Driver ... do you suggest me just keeping it in the Garage until the 10 Days have passed or do you think I should take it out and use it as I normally do? The thing is that lately it has been raining so I dunno if it would be good to take the car out in that weather. The car is in my Garage and will stay there until the paint has cured (unless you guys think it's okay to continue Daily use as normal) ... Suggestions?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I'd keep it in the garage for at least another FULL DAY before taking it out.. This will give the clear coat enough time to cure for the sun.

talkJDM

Alright, so I'll keep it in the Garage all day tomorrow ... Might take it out to install some things back on it (maybe) if not then I'll just leave it inside drying ...

NoRegrets

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by talkJDM &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Alright, so I'll keep it in the Garage all day tomorrow ... Might take it out to install some things back on it (maybe) if not then I'll just leave it inside drying ...</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yea.. Im sure it'd be good to take it out tomorrow, but you just wanna make sure, ya know?

Lost_clearance

ya you can polish it after 20 mins if you bake it, but its a good idea to lets the clear sit for a week

WihaSi

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NoRegrets &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
A couple of days? It should be 7 to 12 days before buffing.. 5-7 days before washing.</TD></TR></TABLE>

5-7 Days before washing lol? You are crazy. So body shops tell there customers to come back in 2 weeks so they can buff their car? Maybe in 1957, but not today. Most clears today are fast flash (2-3mins between coats) and dust free in 15-20 mins. Waiting 24 hours before buffing is plenty of time, 5-7 days before washing is just unheard of. There is nothing wrong with hand washing your car when you get it back from the shop. I've never heard of a body shop telling a customer to come back in a week so they could wash there car up for them. Every body shop I've ever worked at wet sanded and buffed the car 20-30 mins after it was painted, and washed the car after that.

Call the body shop and see what clear they used, and find out if they have a bake booth. Unless they're painting in a cave and using an enamel or lacquer, there is no need to wait that long before buffing, washing or even driving your car...




Modified by WihaSi at 9:33 AM 7/21/2007

NoRegrets

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by WihaSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

5-7 Days before washing lol? You are crazy. So body shops tell there customers to come back in 2 weeks so they can buff their car? Maybe in 1957, but not today. Most clears today are fast flash (2-3mins between coats) and dust free in 15-20 mins. Waiting 24 hours before buffing is plenty of time, 5-7 days before washing is just unheard of. There is nothing wrong with hand washing your car when you get it back from the shop. I've never heard of a body shop telling a customer to come back in a week so they could wash there car up for them. Every body shop I've ever worked at wet sanded and buffed the car 20-30 mins after it was painted, and washed the car after that.

Call the body shop and see what clear they used, and find out if they have a bake booth. Unless they're painting in a cave and using an enamel or lacquer, there is no need to wait that long before buffing, washing or even driving your car...


Modified by WihaSi at 9:33 AM 7/21/2007</TD></TR></TABLE>

My buddy does custom paint work for people, and that's what he suggests.

Does some work with PPG, and Sherwin-Williams.. He's talking to DuPont to some work for them also.

mikey012

is the orange peel in the clear or base?if its in the clear your good to wetsand, but if its in the base your beat,take it to the shop and have it fixed

talkJDM

The Orange Peel is in the Clear, if it was in the Paint, I would've defiantly not paid the shop for their work until they redid it ... but thanks for pointing that out ...

What I'll do is wait at least a week before I do anything just to be on the safe side, its not like I'm in a hurry and NEED to have it done already (although I kinda am in a hurry cause I hate looking at the Orange Peel, lol), but yeah ...

EARLdaSQUIRREL

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by talkJDM &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The Orange Peel is in the Clear, if it was in the Paint, I would've defiantly not paid the shop for their work until they redid it ... but thanks for pointing that out ...

What I'll do is wait at least a week before I do anything just to be on the safe side, its not like I'm in a hurry and NEED to have it done already (although I kinda am in a hurry cause I hate looking at the Orange Peel, lol), but yeah ...</TD></TR></TABLE>

how do you know its in the clear and not in the basecoat?

from what i would think that as long as the clear is thick enough even if there was peel in the base that you could sand and buff the clear smooth enough that the total surface would be "smooth"

talkJDM

I think you can tell when its in the clear and when its on the actual paint ... Atleast I dont see how someone can think of it being hard to tell (pretty easy for me to see) ... So from looking at it, I can tell it is in the Clear ...

"00"R

The reason why most shops tell the customer to wait to wash it is to cover there ***. The fact of the matter is whether you bake it or not the clear is still breathing and cureing for about 20-30 days which keeps the clear just a bit softer, and easier to scratch. When I deliver a car I tell the customer to wait about two weeks to wash the car with any kind of cloth or brush. All this does is keeps the customer from coming back saying that they washed there car and now there are all these scratches, fix it. I'd rather not buff a car because it got washed too agresivley. Its not that everyone is stupid and doesn't know how to wash there car but its a matter of covering you ***, cause there are some people that don't know how to wash there car properly. But as said above you can pretty much buff wash or do what ever to your car as soon as its dry, just as long as your carefull and know what your doing. As far is the original question, I would say that the shop that painted your car should be responsible for making sure their work matches to original finish. Some time you get the refinished panel slicker than the oem finish and you have to buff the panels around it. Some times you have to buff the refinished panel or sometimes both, but the bottom line is that they should make sure you pretty much can't tell its been painted. Unless there were special circumstances worked into the deal to offset the cost of the job or something like that.

Bigblockhatch

If anybody takes their car to a shop to have paint work done and gets it back uncleaned they would be mad as hell.....So just so you know WE BUFF and WASH every car and truck before it leaves most in the same day they were painted

MurdersV8s

in the bad areas go w/ 1500 then go to 2000. for the areas that are easily sanded out use 2000. as for the time i am a body tech and 24 hours is more than enough time, just be careful of cutting through the clear. if you wait 10 days you'll be there for days sanding.

talkJDM

^ Thanks for the info man, I'm trying to get the guy to do it ASAP, but I guess he's really busy ... might have to go with someone else or a shop ...