Painting

[S2central.net]

Nice looking work - what does a decent windows out respray cost these days anyway ?

If I ever came into a lot of money I'd love to change my boring shade of green to something a bit more interesting... its had bumper scars and stone chips since I owned it. A repair job woul improve things, but there is nothing like good fresh paint. Only ever owned one brand new car before and washing it / polishing it was a joy - its why I wash the S2 so rarely as I notice all those swirls, spots, dings and things.

[DJones]

A couple of "work in progress" pictures. Wet flatting and polishing is simply the most boring job in the world... but worth the effort in the end...

[Fat Audi 80]

Darren,

Can you give a few more details on your wet flat and polish process please?

What grade wet or dry are you using and is it polishes via a Rotary, which products and what order?

Looking good.

Cheers,

Steve.

[s2driveruk]

hmmmm, that paint is starting to come to life now , I bet the depth is much better in the flesh than the camera can pick up, worst thing about whites really isnt it

[DJones]

Darren,

Can you give a few more details on your wet flat and polish process please?

What grade wet or dry are you using and is it polishes via a Rotary, which products and what order?

Looking good.

Cheers,

Steve.

Hi Steve,

Firstly i spray a black guide coat (over white anyway) so you can see where you have been.

I then use 2000 grit wet&dry paper with plenty of soapy water and a small block. Always sand in the same direction to ensure you dont see sanding scratches later.

Once no shiny spots left or black removed in this case, you are ready to mop.

I use a foam cutting pad with Farecla G3 compound followed by G10 and i finish with a 3m product called perfect it compound.

I use a Stayer L170 polisher. Basically a 9" angle grinder but much slower, dont try to use a 12v plug in cigarette lighter polisher as it wont have the guts for cutting..

Be prepared to get bored.....

Oh if what you are flatting is particularly bad i.e orange peel then you can start of with 1200 or 1500 grit wet & dry but finish with 2000 but always go in the same direction..

Darren.

[Fat Audi 80]

Thanks Darren - very interesting, especially the part about the black paint. I take it this is before the clear coat has been applied. Are you clear coating afterwards?

I have seen those Halfords 12v jobbies, they are hilarious. I wouldn't even try and put wax on with one!

Cheers,

Steve.

[DJones]

Thanks Darren - very interesting, especially the part about the black paint. I take it this is before the clear coat has been applied. Are you clear coating afterwards?

I have seen those Halfords 12v jobbies, they are hilarious. I wouldn't even try and put wax on with one!

Cheers,

Steve.

Steve

Wet flatting is the last thing you do. This paint system is a solid 2k system so gloss straight from the gun.

You are thinking of a basecoat clear system, a metallic for example. You (I) dont touch the metallic basecoat prior to clear coating for two reasons:

1. if you have done a fade out repair of base with a full panel clear coat on top and have sanded the base coat you will expose the metallic particle on the faded out area making the paint lighter on the edges that you have tried to blend and will show up heavily when in sunlight as the aluminum particles reflect the sun more.

2. any imperfections you leave behind will be magnified like you wouldn't believe when the clear coat is applied, so best left untouched prior to applying clear.

Darren.

[Fat Audi 80]

I was under the impression pearl white was a clearcoat finish. Obviously not.

I can understand that would not want to mess with the base coat under lacquer either.

Interesting stuff, I understand most of the principles of refinishing and polishing paint, but know nothing on prep or applying it etc...

Thanks,

Steve.

[DJones]

I was under the impression pearl white was a clearcoat finish. Obviously not.

I can understand that would not want to mess with the base coat under lacquer either.

Interesting stuff, I understand most of the principles of refinishing and polishing paint, but know nothing on prep or applying it etc...

Thanks,

Steve.

Steve your right, pearl does require a clear coat, in fact the pearl effect is in the clear coat. This is Alpine white though not pearl.

Darren.

[Fat Audi 80]

Doh, it looked so good in the pics I thought it was pearl!

Cheers,

Steve.

[quattronutter]

pearl white is usually 3 stage,white base/pearl/clear coat

[DJones]

Bit more done... best reflection i could get with the white..

[S2central.net]

Doesn't give much away, but I have a feeling this thing is gonna be a bit gorgeous in the flesh. I personally prefer the alpine white to the pearly version. Must be seriously satisfying to get a nice result from bodywork and paint jobs like that - though I think the toils of preparation and polishing would be somewhat boring for me.

[DJones]

Doesn't give much away, but I have a feeling this thing is gonna be a bit gorgeous in the flesh. I personally prefer the alpine white to the pearly version. Must be seriously satisfying to get a nice result from bodywork and paint jobs like that - though I think the toils of preparation and polishing would be somewhat boring for me.

Paul your right, It is the most boring way of watching time go by... and if i was doing this for an income you simply would not be able to afford me...

That said the finish you get is what keeps you going..

[DJones]

Just to prove it is slowly coming back together...... nearly there...