2500CTD

Umm I didn't realize how faded my paint was until I put the new topper with the the correct shade of paint on!!! Had to open the door and check the door jambs to make sure the topper was the right color!! Hmmmm wonder if wet sanding will help, so I never wet sanded a clear coat style paint before. I did my old &7 Chrysler and tunr out pretty good. Anyone did this on their truck? Would hate to need a paint job already!!

Mike D

Try a clay bar, might work.

I SPEED

I just used a clay bar on my truck...she's real pretty now.

I used the clay with Speed Shine from Griots Garage but any brand of that type of product will work, ie: Mothers Showtime, Mequiars Final Inspection, etc...

Rockyhud

I recently got rid of the oxidized paint on my hood, top and top of the front fenders using Mequiars Medium-Cut Polish with a rotary polisher/sander and foam polishing pad. This stuff worked REALLY well.

It got rid of the grainy surface and left it super smooth and preserved the clear-coat. All I need to do now is put a little wax on it and she should be looking just about as good as when she came from the factory.

Steve

2500CTD

So who/where has the clay bar? I seen the "blocks" of polishing compund in truck stops, with the different color pads and such. Same thing or no?

I SPEED

Not the same...the clay bar must be used with some kind of lubricant such as the ones I mentioned in my previous post. It will remove any crud on the paint leaving it bare. You will then need to wax it.

Mothers has a clay bar as well as Griots Garage . I'm sure there are others as well.

Stamey

That clay bar is something else. My BMW had something on the paint that you couldn't see, but felt like sand in the paint when you ran your hand over it. Buffing wasn't making a dent in it. I saw the clay bar and decided to give it a try. Amazing stuff! The paint on the BMW is now smmooooooooth!

Chris

Mike D

The clay bar will pull almost all grit, dirt, grim out of the clearcoat. You can pick up a kit from most auto parts stores. The stuff is amazing. I paid around $14 for mine. It comes with a clay bar and a lubricant. Spray one body panel at a time and run the clay bar over the wet surface, you will notice the clay bar picking up all the grim. Once you're happy with the surface condition wipe down with a soft towel and do the rest of the truck. After the truck is done, wax the truck using a good wax.

Txwelder

How does wet sanding do for scratches? I have more than my share and would like to get some of them out. Fine Cut compound alone has done nothing for them. Guess I will have to take it to the next level but want some expert advice first.

dezlsmkr

http://www.autobodystore.com/rsw.htm

That should be all the info you need. And yes wet sanding will make a night and day difference.

2500CTD

Not really the one to give advice since I'm asking for help on a clear coat paint system. Wet sanding takes the "orange peel" out of the paint, basically just like block sanding during the painting process, only after wett sanding, you usually need to buff it out. With no orange peel the paint/clear coat will look mirror smooth, if done right. However on a clear coat, or any paint job you can wet sand too much in any area and break throught the top layer. That just causes trouble. On older single stage paints, the wet sanding will take the layer of oxidation that forms on the paint. On a clear coat system the clear basically turns cloudy. kinda like how geadlight plastic turns cloudly, wet sanding takes this layer off leaving fresh clear clearcoat. Wet sanding wont work on deep sratches, minor ones yes. Man that was a long answer!! sorry.

Cool thanks for the link!

dezlsmkr

No problem.

Clunk

I don't like color sanding unless you're preparing to add a coat of clear urethane.
The clay bar and cleaner wax job will not harm the existing clearcoat.
A cheapo truck shed is cheaper than a paintjob.

tsmay51

That clay bar is something else. I have an 03' CTD. I had some tree sap and other debris mainly on my hood and rooftop of my truck. I waxed and polished it last weekend and could not get rid of the debris on the truck. It was really rough even after I waxed her. Yesterday, I went to Autozone and bought a clay bar kit. I spent maybe 45 minutes doing the hood and roof with it. Then, putting a new coat of wax on the surface it is as smooth as a baby's behind. This stuff works great.

pappyman

I have wet sanded paint jobs that I've done because of little nits in the paint.....I use 2000 grit wet/dry paper and keep water running over it while sanding......after that I buff it with 3M diamond cut compound
I dont put clear coat on my paint jobs but I put on about 7-8 coats of paint and they shine better then clear coat