Recently pulled the old motor out of the car, and had a friend offer to spray the bay for me while it was apart.

He made a paintbooth, wet the ground, etc, to get as close to a professional finish as possible, after all it is only the engine bay. The main reason was because on my model year and higher, I've been told Honda stopped spraying the entire bay.

Anyway, I guess in the process certain areas weren't wetsanded prior to clear coat, and wanted to see if anyone had any tips how to get a smooth and somewhat glossy finish? I've wetsanded thoroughly and the smoothness I'm after is 100% reappearing, however the gloss is diminishing, naturally. I tired 3M Rubbing Compound Lite and it worked a little, but not much. Any recommendations? I would really like to avoid re-clearing everything, but am willing to sacrifice the arm power to make up for it.

Additionally, my step-dad stopped by the shop today and we started talking. He was telling me when he used to work at a body shop, there were specific paints and clears for engine bays, he said somethin about the heat rating? Is there any truth to this?

Sorry to sound like a noob of sorts, this is not entirely my area of expertise. Thanks guys

 

The only thing I can tell you is to keep rubbing lol. If you used a professional automotive clear then it should gloss up, keep in mind it'll take time rubbing it out by hand. I don't think the heat of the engine bay will be a problem either. You may be able to purchase a 3" polisher to get most of the bay, a guy I worked with had one and we used it for hard to buff spots on a car, worked pretty good. Good luck, and nice avatar pic

 

Thanks for the input

Where'd you get yours? It's all abstract and stuff.

 

I saved it from some t-shirt companies website, Frank's the ****

 

Indeed Would you say to just keep going with the rubbin compund? Should I step up to a polish?

 

I would keep going with a rubbing compound till you see some gloss, then go on to a polish. Even doing it by hand you should start seeing a gloss with the rubbing compound.