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Has any one ever Color Sanded there car ?

I have a newer {10 yr old} paint job. It is an Original color with a newer paint that includes clear coat and it looks very good. How ever there are places {door, side panel etc.} that have some “orange peel.”

I was thinking of color sanding these areas and then buffing them and the rest of the car. I have read several articles and I am gaining a since of hat this entails. I have some experience in painting & buffing, but not color sanding.

Any one done this ??

Thanks for any your comments
Michael41

10 years would be right on the edge of the time when procedures were changed. Let's assume you have a 'color coat/clearcoat' and not a paint job with clear over it.

Actually, you must be very careful in either case. ASSUMING, you have enough thickness of color coat, you could sand out the orange peal. Then clear coat the complete panel, sand with 800+ paper, polishing compound and final buffing.

In either case, if you sand through or thin enough to show distortion, it will require completely refinishing the entire panel.

So, how bad is the orange peal vs getting to redo the entire panel?

Take some fine polishing compound and rub a spot with a clean white rag, if you get color you have a single stage paint, if you get no color you have clear coat. I suggest that you use 1200 or finer grit and lots of water a drop or two of soap in the bucket will help also. When you color sand go gentle and take your time. Stay away from edges and ridges as they usually have less paint and you will say some bad words if you sand thru the clear

Thanks But I am 100% sure it is CLEAR COATED.

And there seems to be enough to do some wet sanding.

Much appreciated,
Michael41

Hi Tom32,

I understand what your intent was, however we don't want to start our sanding with too fine of sandpaper. All that does is round off all the defects. We want to actually cut off the tops of the orange peel and to do that we need some course paper. Once we have them mowed down, then we go to the much finer paper and on into the cutting compounds ending up with the polishing media.

I would use the finest paper i can get with a stiff backing and dry it off after only a light rub before rubbing again. That way the depressions show up as shiny spots amongst the not so shiny peaks. When there are no shiny spots buff very gently to get the shine back.
Tony

Thanks Ya-all
Michael41