I have a friend whos SUV (Black) needs buffing. Love Bugs & Waterspots.... He has an ORBITAL buffer.
What is a good compound to use with an orbital?
He called a local paint supplier and the guy immediately went to the 1500-2000 grit wet sanding route, then buff... That's a little severe for me to help him with. LOL
Plus I don't know if an orbital will bring it back from a full on wetsanding.
Hey Ric, ...probably best to let Dad rule on this one.
Check to see if it's clearcoated. My last experience trying to restore black was on a friends '87 that had clearcoat over the black. Car has been 'cooked' in the sun a lot.
We started a gentle buff and the clearcoat started 'falling apart' (sort of lifting in crumbs). Turned into a lot of sanding to remove the coat.
-- pj
He has a what? At best most all consumer orbitals are polishers, forget it.
He's right on.
If it won't bring back a 2,000 grit wet sand it needs to take a ride to the recycle people. You need a buffer that has the power not to bog and that can warm up the paint to make it flow, are you scared yet, you should be. It will take about $50 to $80 worth of at least 2 grits of good buffing compound and a couple of different buffing pads of different cutting ability. Learn to do, not cut, edges or take it to a good shop.
Or just buy some 2,000 grit paper, some fine clear coat buffing/polishing compound, (Ref: 3M 05993) and have at it.
Watch out for the edges.
While I was typing this a lady stopped to pick up her red Eldorado that she "keeps covered all the time." Of course that is the best place for her cats to piss which cut some of the paint and has ruined some of the window seals and may never smell the same again. I had to charge for the pads because they smelled so bad I burned them after I spent 6 hours cleaning and buffing. Second time I've done this car but this time it cost double the last time and the clear coat won't take another buff, a new paint job is all that will bring it back.
Watch out for the edges.
Watch out for the edges.
The best $50 I ever spent was dropping my Black C5 at the dealer's paint shop for a wet sand.
It looked like a new car and I did the full Zanio treatment after the pro did the wet sand.
Watch out for the edges:
Translation, protect the edges with 1/4 in masking tape or better yet, let a pro do it.
Vito
Translation correction, protect the LEADING edges only with 1/2 tape on cutdown buffing otherwise the trailing edge can flip and foul your bonnet/pad with adhesive. The finish polish will allow 1/4 tape use, normal buff and polishing requires the leading edges to be taped as many as 3 times for a good job. If you are the painter and have some of the color paint left and like to blend color do it any way you like.
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.