How Many Microns?
Author
Discussion

giblet

Original Poster:

9,078 posts

199 months

Tuesday 14th May 2013
quotequote all
Decided to have a stab at machine polishing my car a few weeks ago. I've owned a G220 and various polishes, pads and a PTG for a few years now and have never gotten round to fully correcting a car completely. I have enhanced a few cars with a once over with Meguiars 80 and LPL on occasions and corrected a few panels but thats about it.

Started on half the bootlid since its a big old barge. PTG readings ranged from 120-140 across the bootlid, 70-80 in the door shuts and under the bonnet in comparison. A hit of 80 on a polishing pad did nothing so tried a few hits of 83 on a compounding pad. Several passes to work the polish properly resulted in a nice finish with no more swirls but there a few rds marks were left.

Gave it a quick pass with a 3000 grit sanding disc and then a 4000 disc before another hit of 83. This removed about half of the rds marks but some still remain. How far can I safely go with wet sanding before the paint thickness level is too low? Not sure if I should try another pass with the discs or if I should try a different combo of pads and polish.

Miracle

389 posts

256 months

Tuesday 14th May 2013
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You really shouldn't remove more than 8 microns, and even then you'll have no paint left to remove any further defects in the future. What car and colour are you working on?

Kind Regards
Paul

giblet

Original Poster:

9,078 posts

199 months

Tuesday 14th May 2013
quotequote all
Thanks for the reply Paul. The car in question is a metallic black Jaguar XJR. Trying to find the balance between correction and paint safety in the long term as it will no doubt pick up light swirls regardless of how safe my wash technique is.

Miracle

389 posts

256 months

Tuesday 14th May 2013
quotequote all
giblet said:
Thanks for the reply Paul. The car in question is a metallic black Jaguar XJR. Trying to find the balance between correction and paint safety in the long term as it will no doubt pick up light swirls regardless of how safe my wash technique is.
I was going to say , do you wonna pop down with the car, but your in leeds!

Miracle

389 posts

256 months

Tuesday 14th May 2013
quotequote all
I'd stick to correcting it now with either a Rupes Bigfoot polisher, or da or rotary, no more sanding or your have no clear coat left to play with!!

Kind Regards
Paul