Car is finally painted in lacquer! Now what?

[Greg L.]

It seems like forever but my 69 now has a nice coat of Cortez Silver PPG lacquer on it!

So what's next? It's been about 2 weeks since it was painted and I'm wondering how long I should wait before it's first polish and especially how I should go about it so that I don't mess it up.

I have a Makita variable speed, constant load polisher with wool and foam pads if I get brave and good ole elbow grease if I don't! Basically I'd like to know what's best to use for compounds from initial cut to final polish and how long to wait for the paint to "harden" before I start.

I was going to use 3M's super duty or heavy duty rubbing compound but I've been told that it may be to aggressive so I'll hold off until I hear from all of your thoughts.

Thanks.

[Michael M.]

Re: Car is finally painted in lacquer! Now what?

Greg was the paint job just lacquer or lacquer with a clear coat? If your car has been exposed to the correct drying temperature you can wet sand with 1000 grit sand paper. It's a habit of mine once I start with wool I finish with wool. If I start with foam I finish with foam. I am not saying that the wool and foam combo will not produce a good job, but I am saying wool for lacquer is better from past experience. I would think 3M would be as good as any brand. I would ask the guy you purchased the PPG lacquer from what brand of compound and polish PPG recommends.

[Stan E.]

Re: Car is finally painted in lacquer! Now what?

Stay off all edges at all times!

[Greg L.]

Re: Car is finally painted in lacquer! Now what?

It's color only, no clear coat. I've been told not to wet sand metalics but are you saying it's okay because it's only 1000 grit? I'm also not looking for a glass smooth custom show car finish, just the factory look.

I wasn't sure which pad was best to use. I think one is more aggressive than the other but if you prefer the wool then I'll try that one.

As for compounds, which specific ones do you guys like for the initial polish and then final polish? ....or do you use the same compound from start to finish?

Stan, you can bet that I'll give those edges full their respect!

[Dick W.]

Re: Car is finally painted in lacquer! Now what?

When I buffed the paint, I would not use a buffer that has a speed in excess of 2,500. Anything faster and it is too easy to burn the paint.

I would let the car set at least two more weeks before I did anything to it, unless it was to lightly color sand it. 1,000 grit, 1,200 grit, and finish with 1,500 grit. Lightly using soapy water a a sponge for a sanding pad. This is to just knock the nibs and high spots off the paint.

[Jim T.]

Re: Car is finally painted in lacquer! Now what?

After I painted my 70 with Dupont lacquer in 1991 I wet color sanded first using 3M 1200. I followed with 3M 1500. I then used Dupont's 101 Lacquer rubbing compound by hand. Dupont's 101 is a light compound made for doing this. This turned out very well for my paint. I then applied Meguires #7.

[John P.]

Re: Car is finally painted in lacquer! Now what?

Could you tell me where you purhased your paint?

I found a place on line but just wondering where you bought yours!

[Mike G.]

Re: Car is finally painted in lacquer! Now what?

Get some 1/4" green tape and apply to all edges.

Use 3M Finesse-It III (white) on low speed with wool pad. Make sure pad rotation is going off of the panel.

Finish with glaze, either machine or hand (3M) and you're done.

Don't wax it because today's lacquer will still be curing this time next year.

Initial color sanding may be needed if you have excessive orange peel, but maybe not.

Before you start (and you should wait another month), try to round up a DVD by Kevin Tetz: "Paintucation - Color Sanding and Buffing".

[Greg L.]

Re: Car is finally painted in lacquer! Now what?

Thanks guys.

I was always under the impression that sanding metalic paint was a no-no but I see that in this case it's more to just knock off the high spots and you're not really getting "into" the paint so I'll give it a shot.

I know I'll have a problem with the Dupont 101 lacquer rubbing compound. I called around and no one seems to have it or heard of it. I googled it a bit at work last night and didn't have much luck either so is there a good alternative that I could use?

I thought I'd have better luck with the 3M line but all I can find is 3M Finesse-It II. Mike, was it a typo or did you really mean Finesse III?

I know there will be local products around that will work for me but I can't just go into the local Dupont or PPG paint supplier and ask for compounds for lacquer because none of them have a clue about lacquer up here anymore. My luck is they would suggest something that will work on a much harder 2k clear coat and it would just quickly burn through.

John, here is where I bought my paint from.

http://www.tcpglobal.com/autocolorlibrary/

[Mike G.]

Yep Greg, I fat-fingered it...

Sorry 'bout that; it's Finesse It II. Did a real nice job on my Ermine White '65. In fact I did most of the car by hand using cotton diapers and microfiber towels to buff off.

BTW- Finesse It II was recommended to me by a restorer of vintage Fender guitars who uses automotive lacquer, as original.

[David C.]

Re: Car is finally painted in lacquer! Now what?

The longer you wait to buff, the better it will come out. I know some people who wait 6 months.