Ripples in clear coat?

[evanandretti]

2006 Brilliant Black - why does the clear coat have kind of an orange-peal look to it? Doesn't have a perfect mirror finish. When I first noticed it thought the fender was repainted but the whole truck is the same. Then seen some pics of another members truck and same thing. Also noticed it on a Colbalt SS... so obviously normal, but why?

 

[wesalbert]

2006 Brilliant Black - why does the clear coat have kind of an orange-peal look to it? Doesn't have a perfect mirror finish. When I first noticed it thought the fender was repainted but the whole truck is the same. Then seen some pics of another members truck and same thing. Also noticed it on a Colbalt SS... so obviously normal, but why?

Because the EPA has so many limts so the paints have changed through the years. I was told that it is because the way it is applied. If you look, your high end cars from overseas look ALOT better.

 

[evanandretti]

Can this be wetsanded, or polished, or something out?

Also, i have a couple scratches in the clear coat that really bug me. Kind of scared to tackle it myself... whats the smartest way?

 

[TNVIPER]

Orange peel is normal for mass production....and if you will look a lot of cars have no clearcoat in the door jams and other hidden areas....EPA thing like wes mentioned above..

 

[wesalbert]

Can this be wetsanded, or polished, or something out?

Also, i have a couple scratches in the clear coat that really bug me. Kind of scared to tackle it myself... whats the smartest way?

Depends on how much paint is on the truck. Take it to someone who knows what they are doing.
They have ways of measuring how thick the paint is.
If there is enough paint, yes it can be wetsanded, but unlikley since it is factory paint.

 

[evanandretti]

Depends on how much paint is on the truck. Take it to someone who knows what they are doing.
They have ways of measuring how thick the paint is.
If there is enough paint, yes it can be wetsanded, but unlikley since it is factory paint.

Alright buddy, thanks. And PS, glad your truck isn't for sale anymore. I was kind of kicking myself for paying what I did for mine all said and done after seeing what you wanted for yours. Good taste in mods my friend, looks good!

 

[FastSRT19]

I had my entire truck wet sanded a while ago...It came out so nice!

 

[eddie102870]

just claybar it and use Zaino after about 5 or 6 coats it will look very deep. be alot cheaper than wet sanding and buffing. the clear on factory paint jobs is so thin i wouldnt do it unless you know the guy is experienced.

 

[EVLDSCO]

A mil gauge measures paint thickness but you still do not know how thick the clearcoat is. Most factory paint does not have enough clear to sand & buff and still have clear left over to hold up over the years. I would also like to point out that the slicker the paint is the more imperfections you will see on the body especially on the doors at the belt moulding areas and around the door handles. If you were to wet block sand for the purpose of repainting only, you would be very surprised of how many areas you would sand through to achieve a surface smooth enough to accept a higher quality paint job.

 

[rhino75]

It can be sanded and buffed. I would sand it with 1200 on a DA sander a little bit until the shine us gone then go back over it with 3000 with the DA with water very good. Then buff it. I don't think you need to do it if you haven't done it before. I plan on repainting mine and then sanding it back down and reclearing it. That's the best way to get one slick with out buffing it for two days.