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16 votes
Accepted

Why is my car paint not so "shiny"?

The tiny shining things in the original paint are metal particles, which is why it is called metallic paint. I guess you should have bought a duplicate of the original paint spec. Anyway, it's ...
Weather Vane's user avatar
  • 2,473
14 votes

Why is my car paint not so "shiny"?

While the first answer is good, it is somewhat wrong. If the area repaired is small enough, we will opt to blend the color into the rest of the panel and then clear coat the entire panel. However if ...
Phillip Cowles's user avatar
7 votes
Accepted

Neighbor uses cans of spray paint on his car - can it travel to my car?

It ABSOLUTELY can. It's called overspray. Take one look at a bad paint job and you'll know it's a real thing. While not a car, take a look at this image: Imagine how they do this. They put a stencil ...
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
5 votes

Should I clearcoat my headlights after sanding and polishing them?

You can buy a non yellowing clear coat for plastics that will keep it from yellowing. Video describing how to do it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEJbKLZ7RmM Non Yellowing Clear coat paint https://...
apkisbossin's user avatar
4 votes
Accepted

Why did my sprayed-on paint job look like it was rolled on?

You haven't provided the most accurate description of the paint, but I'm guessing you have what is known as Orange Peel. The orange peel effect is caused by premature evaporation of thinner, ...
zipzit's user avatar
  • 6,569
4 votes
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Which sandpaper grits are needed for bodywork prep?

In both the cases in your question, when I have done this I have used either 1200 grit wet and dry to key surrounding areas or used a scotch-brite pad - https://www.3m.co.uk/3M/en_GB/company-uk/3m-...
HandyHowie's user avatar
  • 25.5k
3 votes

Is there a way to regain the clearcoat lost by polishing?

The straightforward answer is, the only way to regain lost clear coat through polishing is to re-spray it with more clear coat. There are a lot more factors with what you're asking, though. The ...
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
3 votes
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Should I clearcoat my headlights after sanding and polishing them?

Headlights will yellow over time, almost like it's their purpose in life to do so. Once they do, you can treat them (as you have) or replace them. You will be sanding them again, when they turn yellow ...
tlhIngan's user avatar
  • 12.2k
3 votes
Accepted

Will the dealer removing some minor paint marks/drips on the side of a car hurt?

The good news is the dealer is willing to fix it correctly. If they are having the body shop team work on it, then it will be dealt with by professionals who know what they are doing to repair the ...
CharlieRB's user avatar
  • 9,005
3 votes

How to repaint your steering wheel emblem?

Use a small paint brush and small 1-2 oz paint wells from your local hobby store (Instead of using spray paint in a small enclosed area... Like the example link I provided in the question): prep the ...
syn1kk's user avatar
  • 416
3 votes
Accepted

Red 2014 Ford Fiesta clear paint coat starting to peel

The clearcoat in the image is peeling for one of two (or both) reasons. It has either lost its mechanical or chemical adhesion to the base coat. Unfortunately, once the peel has started, there's not ...
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
2 votes

Why did my clear coat turn out matte instead of glossy, and how can I fix it?

The main problem is that you are not matching the OEM clear coat coefficient of reflection. It was above Dupli-color's Protective Clear Coat Finish. You need to use Spray Max semi-gloss for clear ...
Jason Arthur Taylor's user avatar
2 votes

Why did my clear coat turn out matte instead of glossy, and how can I fix it?

If you're at an amateur level with autobody and paint work, and you're trying to repaint your vehicle with automotive spray cans, this is the best advice I can give you: Wet sand the body until there ...
Quinn J's user avatar
  • 21
2 votes

Milky cloudy clear coat after rattle can spray

Just clear coated my car's headlights after sanding them to clarity. I used wet sanding, cleaned it with rubbing alcohol, dry then sprayed, but cloudy is an understatement. Hoping this clears up by ...
Marcus Moore's user avatar
2 votes

Milky cloudy clear coat after rattle can spray

All you need to do is polish it. All rattle can clear coat looks like this. I did the whole rear end of a car after repairing some rust. I did black with clear over it. The clear just didn't have ...
CarComp's user avatar
  • 307
2 votes

DIY paint touch-up on rusted fender: paint touch-up kit includes primer, color, and clear coat

The primer should not go over existing clear coat. You should think of circles of increasing diameter for each layer : primer smallest, paint next and then clear...
Solar Mike's user avatar
  • 34.7k
2 votes

Why did my clear coat turn out matte instead of glossy, and how can I fix it?

If your not going to use clear coat it won't get a mirror shine since you only get that before you sand with epoxy I hear. However you can, I will explain how to do it. Once the paint surface is ...
user30025's user avatar
2 votes
Accepted

Problem with clear coating headlights

I think where you went wrong is in how you coated it. It's been awhile since I saw the ChrisFix video, but was thinking the way you should be doing this is by after cleaning the lense with IPA (after ...
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
2 votes

Should I clearcoat my headlights after sanding and polishing them?

Pros: your headlight lens will have an extra barrier of protection to protect the plastic against rocks, chips, cracks, and oxygen. It's cheaper to sand and coat a headlight than replace a headlight. $...
Carlos Ortigoza's user avatar
2 votes
Accepted

Can I apply new layers of cleat coat on top of old and what preparation steps are needed?

You'd have to lightly sand the clear coat so the new clear coat and adhere
user9181's user avatar
  • 1,392
2 votes
Accepted

Ways to protect paintwork from minor damage?

There's many ways to protect your paintwork and keep it in good condition, and each has it's own set of advantages and disadvantages. Here's some of the more common approaches: Paint protection ...
motosubatsu's user avatar
  • 10.5k
1 vote

Removing Running/Melting Substance From Car

Based on the fact its parked under a tree, I bet this is sap or pollen from the tree, or some other type of dropping. I notice a distinct edge between the top lip of the hood and the front/top of the ...
Keith's user avatar
  • 13
1 vote

Can i save matte/foggy clear coat?

Humidity is the bane of clearcoat! And 99/100 times you're looking at option 2.. there is a slight caveat though - if it's a case of the top layer coat getting a bit milky and it's not too widespread ...
motosubatsu's user avatar
  • 10.5k
1 vote

Why can't I match car color even after six coats of the same color code paint?

I would suggest a body shop ; I painted a few cars in the days before base coat color and semi-transparent metallic top coats and then clear coats. , and it was not easy . First, you need a compressor ...
blacksmith37's user avatar
  • 3,733
1 vote
Accepted

326 Artic White Spray Paint

Once the touch up is complete (lacquer makes a significant difference to the way paint looks as it's refractive index and color transmission is quite a bit different from open air!). You may still ...
motosubatsu's user avatar
  • 10.5k
1 vote

Painting Carbon Fiber Parts

Not sure exactly what you are trying to achieve, but I'll lend my [very limited] bodyshop knowledge to your challenge. Sanding anything to 2000 grit before basecoat is pure folly. Sanding carbon ...
SteveRacer's user avatar
  • 12.4k
1 vote

Can we apply clear coat again after polishing?

In order to paint clear on it again, you actually need to do some more sanding, scratching the surface even more. With the newly-painted panel polished, new clear coat won't stick and will most likely ...
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
1 vote

Car wash after applying car sealant?

You can still use a car wash, however it's always better to lightly hand wash a car, and keep the automated car wash use to a minimum. As after years of car wash use you will likely start to notice ...
Orb's user avatar
  • 5,067
1 vote

Something's peeling off from around my rear wheel well. Is this clear coat failing?

Given the vehicle's relatively young age and location of the orange peel, I'd say this is due to abrasion more than UV exposure. If so, this issue should remain fairly localized. If it is an eyesore ...
Zaid's user avatar
  • 39.2k
1 vote

How to repaint your steering wheel emblem?

I have been to Honda dealer they said the emblem on 2009 pilot steering wheel is attached to the air bag and cannot be switched out I would have to replace the air bag 600. + dollars I have googled ...
Brenda Strickland's user avatar

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