Expert: William Forster - 7/4/2006

Question

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Followup To

Question - How long must I wait if I didn't use hardener? Thanks Ed

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Followup To

Question -
I have repaired an area on my Toyota and have painted it using acrylic enamel which has gold specs floating around in it.I guess thats called metalic paint.I don't know. As you can tell I don't know too much about this.Now that I have it painted what is the best way to bring out the shine before I polish it?Also could you please tell me what a foam sanding block isand how it is used? I saw somewhere that you should use this type of block when finishing the car. Thanks Ed

Answer -
Hello! Don't sand and buff single stage metallic paint. it will turn all blemishey and just look like crap. Power buff it if you like, it will bring upp the shine pretty nicely, just don't try to color sand the paint. Enamel, when applied properly, will have a great shine. It shouldn't need buffed. If after power buffing you deem the finish shine unacceptable, consider clear coating the panels you painted. Clear coat is completely sandable and buffable. The store that sold you the paint will be happy to locate a sanding sponge for you, and give you some pointers on how to do the job. Feel free to check back with me if you deceide to clear and buff the panels, and I can get you thru the process. hope this helps. bill


what should I buff it with? How long should I wait before I buff it? How long before I can polish and wax it? Thanks Ed

Answer -
Use 3M medium duty rubbing compound, followed by Perfect -it II polishing glaze. You can buff enamel with hardner after 2 days. Wax it after 30 days. Bill

Answer
Wait 3 days to buff it to be safe. Don't let it sit in the sun in the mean time, the paint will cure to the point that buffing will become too difficult. The reason your finish is dull is probably because you didn't use hardner. It's an extra 40 bucks, but well worth it if you are painting anything you want to look good and last a long time. It will be okay that you didn't use hardner, but the trade offf now is you gotta buff her. You can still wax after 30 days, but BE SURE TO WAX IT MONTHLY. iT WILL MAKE THE FINISH LAST LONGER. Bill