Expert: Kim Smith - 3/21/2009

Question
I painted my car using PPG Concept(DCC)The paint is a metallic blue. I'd like to sand it to get rid of some orange peel I have on it but I'm told by some that you cannot sand this paint, others say that you can if you have enough paint on the car and use a 2000 grit

Answer
Hi Bob, you have chosen on of the best single stage paints on the market...You ,can polish this paint quite easy. It do's not matter as to which hardner you used DU5 or DCX61. The problem you may have is that the color you have has a metallic in it. If you wet sand the orange peel out you will also be what we call- moving the metallics around.The outcome will  be a blotched look to the metallic.You have a window in which to clearcoat the DCC Concept without sanding and then wetsand and polish the Clearcoat.Check with PPG on this window,If this is not a option I would recommend trying to polish out the orange peel without wet sanding .Starting with a fairly aggresive polish working your way up to a fine polish.Start with a small area 2'x2' and see if you like the results. Worst scenario is that you will repaint the car. With the Concept paint on the car already you have a superb foundation to wetsand and apply a Basecoat / Clearcoat.Also keep in mind the mill thickness of the paint already on the car,if it has been painted mor than once I recommend taking it back down to at least the original paint with down to the steel being best. Wetsanding  to polish any singlestage  or B/C I have used p2500 grit followed up by 3000 grit and then polish...This is recommended for the darker colors and have had success myself... I really hope that some of this information is helpfull for you and best of luck with your paint....Kim