Meaning? Compounding.WetSanding.

[rclab1]

Hello, can someone explain to me in full detail what "compounding" means? and what is the difference between "Wet Sanding" and "Compounding" paint.

Because I'm bringing my car in for a Detailing service and the technician gave me those terms?

Will both burn off my clear coat? I have swirls and hollograms, and I'm afraid they will burn through my clear coat?

please explain. thank you much.

p.s. the hologram and spiderWeb effect look tremendous on my car on a sunny day when the car has just been washed (not waxed)

[Phalcon51]

Re: Meaning? Compounding.WetSanding.

Compounding generally refers to using "rubbing compound" of various abrasive grades to remove paint defects. Modern polishes or compounds use diminishing abrasives that break down to finer and finer grades as they are worked so as to remove a minimum of paint and leave a smooth, defect-free paint finish. These are generally applied with a rotary buffer and different grades of foam pads from aggressive to mild.

Wet sanding refers to using very fine grit sandpaper (1000 to 3000 grit) with water to sand and smooth the top layer of paint, usually to remove orange peel, runs or other high-spot type defects. To eliminate scratches, you have to remove paint or clear coat to the level of the deepest part of the scratch.

I would be a little leery of going to someone who says right off the bat that he has to wet sand your paint. It's one of the more aggressive techniques. Can you post any pictures of your car's paint taken in direct sunlight or under halogen or xenon lights to show the swirls and scratches?

The general rule of thumb is to start with the least aggressive technique and work up from there by taping off a test spot on your car and seeing what it takes to get a swirl free finish.

I'd get a 2nd or 3rd opinion if I were you.

What's the year, model and color of your car and how has it been cared for, i.e the local car wash for the last 5 years, how often it's washed and waxed, etc.

If you can provide some pictures and info there are several professionals here who can steer you in the right direction.

[rclab1]

Re: Meaning? Compounding.WetSanding.

thanks for the reply, sooo very helpful.

I would like to know, when would i be able to know when to have the Wet Sanding vs Compounding done?

is Wet Sanding more a aggessive way to tackle holograms and spider web effects on my paint.

My car is black by the way.

The detail shop says they wont wet sand, but will do the compounding.....

Also, after wet sanding, wont the pads leave a scratch type look on the paint since its scratching and taking away some of the clear coat? What do you do after that? put wax on top of it, ......isn't that only a temporary fix since there are still scratches from wet sanding?

I don't want to wash my car and have those stubborn holograms/spiderwebs come back.

[the other pc]

Re: Meaning? Compounding.WetSanding.

...is Wet Sanding more a aggessive way to tackle holograms and spider web effects on my paint....

Holograms are just very shallow scratches in your paint. Spider web are often a little bit deeper but in most cases not very deep. Here’s a note on removing scratches:
What it means to remove a scratch out of anything...

If you think of your paint like a rose bush, holograms are sort of on the level of a few wilted rose petals on the flowers and spider web scratches might be wilted buds or leaves.

Wet sanding holograms would be like trying to removing a few wilted petals with a chainsaw.

Compounding would be like using hedge trimming shears.

What you want is a mild to moderate tool. In Meguiar’s line they call those products cleaners and cleaner/polishes. They would be equivalent to a pair of scissors or a pocket knife.

...My car is black by the way...

You really want to take a black car to somebody who knows what they’re doing.

... What do you do after that? put wax on top of it, ......isn't that only a temporary fix since there are still scratches ....

A competent professional will leave your finish pristine. You won’t have to do anything but routine maintenance.

...I don't want to wash my car and have those stubborn holograms/spiderwebs come back.

A competent pro will remove them completely. Then it’s up to you to not install any new ones.


PC.

[98blackbird]

Re: Meaning? Compounding.WetSanding.

first of all i have never heard of wet sanding being a way to tackle holograms, all of the holograms i have seen are from someone who didnt know how to use a rotary correctly. I am not sure if wet sanding will help the spider web effect, i have never had to deal with that yet.

and to answer your second question wet sanding does leave a dull look to the clearcoat, which is why you must "compound" it to bring the shine back. Wax alone wont fix a wet-sanded area.

[rclab1]

Re: Meaning? Compounding.WetSanding.

thanks all, yes wet sanding did leave a very dull look on my clearCoat, holograms/spiderWeb effects all over (was done really quick and unprofessionally by a body shop) they put a quick fix on it when i pointed it out by putting a non siliconeWax on it? (thats what the manager said) ......but anyways, I will definitely go to a trusted shop to "compound" my clear coat, and then get that shine back. I will also maintain it by waxing frequently by doing .....ie....

wash, then ColorX, then NXT.

thanks all....