awesome!

[deac]

Thanks for the new forum Scott!

I just painted my ghia, but still have a long way to go before it looks like I want it to. This forum should def help.

First question. What compounds do you guys like for buffing and polishing? What buffers do you use? I think color sanding the first time is even scarier than painting the first time. I knew when I painted, it was only going to look better than it did, but with smoothing it out, I'm so scared of screwing it up.

here's a link to my freshly painted ghia. It's 2002 BMW pepper white.

http://photo.starblvd.net/mattdeacon?st=album&pg=0

deac

[doc]

I've had pretty good luck with 3M buffing compounds. You heard about stay away from the edges? Stay away from the edges!!! No matter how many coats you put on, it's much, much thinner on any edge. It's really easy to buff through. Good luck.

doc

[57rto]

Good luck. When color sanding there is no need to remove every inch of orange peel. If you leave a little bit you will remove it with the buffing machine. I m not sure about your compound question. I havent done any body work in about 10 years. Ive got a bug that needs some help thought. I will be doing the work soon, just destroyed the trany.

[JC-ATL]

I like the 3M stuff, and actually think that when color sanding, you should remove every inch of orange peel, and you should buff by hand.

It's too easy, especially for an amateur, to really screw up paint with a buffer.

[doc]

jc may be right. I screwed up both color sanding and buffing on my car and had to repaint. Sanded throught the clear coat - make sure you spray plenty of clear. Buffed through a couple of edges. you can't believe how easy it is to do.

If you have extra paint, respraying is pretty easy. You've already done all the prep. So repaint is not such a big deal. But hand buffing may be a good answer for those of us who don't paint very often.

doc

[little ld]

If you plan on doing more than one car, go to someone and learn! And dont buff it by hand, that is a waste of time. But I would remove all the orange peel. It will be a better job all the way around. The 3M Perfect-it 3 system is the best I have found. After you color sand for a while and get good, try dry sanding with a DA. Looks like glass when you get done. With half the time. Just my cents!

[mez]

After you color sand for a while and get good, try dry sanding with a DA. Looks like glass when you get done. With half the time.

DA?
I'm trying to figure out what a District Attorney has to do with sanding, but it just won't come to me. I do understand that he could do half the work and cut the overall time, though.

[57rto]

A trick for the edges is put masking tape on the edges and do them by hand after your done with the large areas. It takes a little more work but a lot less agrivating than touching up.

[Chris V]

Dual Action sander...it spins like any other sander and it's got an eliptical orbit.

[mez]

thanks