Dulling down door opens and hood surround

[Edward J.]

Spring is just around the cornor and I will be having my 72 flite judged for the first time.I presently have a base coat clear coat finish. I would like to salvage some of the paint points,

What exactly will I have to dull down to get points? I know the hood surround, door opening,does this include the door also? what else?

My plan is to use 1500 grit paper,if something else has worked for you I would like to hear about. Thanks Ed.

[William C.]

Re: Dulling down door opens and hood surround

I used a satin clear and still lost 9 points for over restoration.

[Sander B.]

Re: Dulling down door opens and hood surround

Hi Edward

go for Scotch Brite Gold (ts similar to P2500 sand paper)

regards Sander

[Chuck S.]

Re: Dulling down door opens and hood surround

...What exactly will I have to dull down to get points? I know the hood surround, door opening,does this include the door also? what else?...

Imagine that, instead of glossy BC/CC, you had mistakenly painted the car with a flat paint with absolutely zero gloss (*&$%#@). BUT...the good news is that when you use a power buffer and compound on the flat finish, it shines up beautifully, somewhat like CC.

Now, imagine polishing the entire car with the buffer without opening any doors, hood, headlights, convertible deck, removing the T-tops, removing trim items etc...Those areas that would remain untouched by the buffer wheel are the same areas where you need to reduce the gloss on the CC.

I can't imagine exterior judges using any other formula. Edit: If they're looking for anything less than what I've described, only that judge will able to tell you what areas he expects to see low gloss.

BTW, I'm with Sander, 1500 grit paper will be pretty aggressive for this task. I haven't tried the scotch brite for that purpose, but as a painter, I expect Sander knows what unpolished acrylic lacquer looks like. Scotch brite is graded by color...that's where the "gold" comes from.

[Patrick T.]

Re: Dulling down door opens and hood surround

I used ColorRite clear spray lacquer and it looks perfect, just the way judges want to see. The good thing is that you don't permanently screw up the paint job. If you don't want to look that way later, it comes right off with a cloth and lacquer thinner. I had my car flight judged last October and got zero deduct for the paint. You need to call their Pa. shop to get the lacquer since you can't buy it in Calif. PT

http://www.colorrite.com/site/contact.cfm

[Jim R.]

Re: Dulling down door opens and hood surround

3M makes a dulling agent product that comes in a small bottle similar to a wax bottle that works awesome you just put some on a rag and rub it on and it dulls the paint without leaving any marks like sanding will.

[Kenneth T.]

Re: Dulling down door opens and hood surround

3M makes a dulling agent product that comes in a small bottle similar to a wax bottle that works awesome you just put some on a rag and rub it on and it dulls the paint without leaving any marks like sanding will.

Hey Jim,

Is the process reversible or permanent?

Thanks, Ken

[Edward J.]

Re: Dulling down door opens and hood surround

Chuck,Sander,are the scotch pads avaliable at like the home depot , or is this strickly automotive paint supplys?

Chuck, I have a good feel as to the exterior is suppose to look like but I not willing to touch the exterior of car other than only whats needed to, if possiable to salvage some of the points that required by dulling down the only whats absolutly necc.

I know that no two judges will be on the same page when it comes to judging the paint on any given car. so my approach will be only to do whats only necc. to achive some of the points.

So what do you recommend fot the dulling down areas. thanks to all who have responded. Ed

[Jim D.]

Re: Dulling down door opens and hood surround

I've heard spraying the jambs with hair spray works. The nice thing is that it's temporary. Once judged, you can wash it off and again, have a beautiful paint job.

[David S.]

Re: Dulling down door opens and hood surround

3M makes a dulling agent product that comes in a small bottle similar to a wax bottle that works awesome you just put some on a rag and rub it on and it dulls the paint without leaving any marks like sanding will.

Do you know what product that is?

Thanks,
Dave

[Dick W.]

Re: Dulling down door opens and hood surround

I know that no two judges will be on the same page when it comes to judging the paint on any given car. so my approach will be only to do whats only necc. to achive some of the points.

If the judges follow the judging guidelines, the point deductions should be the same

[Jim D.]

Re: Dulling down door opens and hood surround

If the judges follow the judging guidelines, the point deductions should be the same

Sure, right.

[Dick W.]

Re: Dulling down door opens and hood surround

Sure, right.

Several month, years, ago, there were standard deductions issued for paint. Same principal as the engine. If you pass A, go to B, etc. I think someone on this forum posted them some time ago.

The standard guidelines take the personal opinions out of paint judging.

[Jim R.]

Re: Dulling down door opens and hood surround

Dave and Ken yes it is reversable you can just polish it back. and i will get back to you with the 3m part# i will send you a pm. jim

[Chuck G.]

Re: Dulling down door opens and hood surround

I've heard spraying the jambs with hair spray works. The nice thing is that it's temporary. Once judged, you can wash it off and again, have a beautiful paint job.

That's what I did with my 63, which is painted in single stage urethane (Riverside Red).

I'm curious about this 3M "dulling agent" product.

IMHO, sanding the jambs, gutters, etc. makes the car TOO dull.

Lacquer was shiny when applied. Those areas just were not buffed.

Try shooting some gloss Krylon or Rustoleum on a piece of metal or fiberglass. Let it dry. See how shiny it is, without buffing.

Chuck