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Had some time yesterday to start trying to get the lettering and decal that has been etched into the clear, along with razor blade cuts that in several spots goes into the paint and bare metal in a couple place.
Just doing the driver side at this time, trying to get little by little done or I will never get it done all at once! Had plans to also apply 2 applications of GTechniq C1 and a couple applications of EXO but going to be applying coat of C2v3 to get me by for a couple months or until I can get all of it done and then go back over again with M100.
Starting out using D114 for a rinseless wash.
Used AutoScrub medium clay towel to decontaminate and get any and everything off so no chance of contaminating my 3000 grit sand disk.
Close up of true condition of paint and along with using the AutoScrub towel.
Doing a test spot Damp sanding with 3000 grit on a DA on speed 4. Only made 4 section passes, so I didn't go to crazy just getting a feel for the clear coat and seeing how hard this clear was.
Not to bad, with tape removed you can see better 50/50 but still need's more sanding, this front part is the worst where they had the biggest decal and lots of small numbers and letters. Luckily it's just about a 2 foot section towards the front and the rest is just lots of swirls and scratches.
Ready for polishing with M100, Solo cut wool pad and the 3401 Flex and have 4200 lumens helping me see better.
2nd application here, Didn't look so well on the 1st application. using on speed 6 about 15 lbs. pressure and 4 section passes. Starting to look OK but this is very hard clear and have to chip away little by little and stop to check progress.
Close-up and now you see there's still more scratches left behind, more Compounding.
Extreme close-up to show scratches much clearer.
Close-up and show top section were decals were and that the rest of the scratches are to deep and don't want to take a chance of removing to much clear. The bottom and rest of area are about 90% swirl and scratch free and good enough for this 14 year old cargo van.
Showing a 50/50 picture, as you can see to the left side where the LED is how much more clearer the light is then on the right side which hasn't been Damp sanded or polished yet.
Just got through Damp sanding the rest of this side of the van's center section with 3000 grit paper on DA on speed 4.
Close up after Damp sanding with 3000 grit. Tape is for my reference stops for different sections and also to let me know how far back I need to go to blend together and start lighting up on pressure.
What I'm using for Damp sanding and the Harbor Freight DA.
Flex 3401, Meguiars Solo wool cutting pad along with a LC CCS light cut foam pad and M100 along with foam pad brush and spur for cleaning off spent product and clear coat. As much as I love the little 7424 XP it isn't much for this hard clear and would have been a waste of time.
Going to be doing my 2nd application on the last section for the top and how much product I'm using.
After 2 application with 4 section passes with each application.
Going back over a 3rd application to try to add more clarity and to make sure holograms or marring are removed. Slowed speed down along with pressure and just made 2 section passes.
Done with the top section.
Used about 6oz. of M100 this far, I do love how after you set the bottle back down the M100 doesn't stick/cling to the side.
Didn't take as many pics of the fender but the same technique was used, have about 90% swirl free and looking pretty good. At the top on my hood is all the wool pad dust, the only reason I hate using wool pads.
Working on the door and the lower half, couldn't do without my LED's!
Done with the compounding step, got late last night and will post up the rest when I get it all cleaned up and ready for the GTechniq coating. Here's the last 2 full pics of the driver side finished and a much better Reflective Gloss! Now for GTechniq and my decals and logo! Thanks for looking!!
Just doing the driver side at this time, trying to get little by little done or I will never get it done all at once! Had plans to also apply 2 applications of GTechniq C1 and a couple applications of EXO but going to be applying coat of C2v3 to get me by for a couple months or until I can get all of it done and then go back over again with M100.
Starting out using D114 for a rinseless wash.
Used AutoScrub medium clay towel to decontaminate and get any and everything off so no chance of contaminating my 3000 grit sand disk.
Close up of true condition of paint and along with using the AutoScrub towel.
Doing a test spot Damp sanding with 3000 grit on a DA on speed 4. Only made 4 section passes, so I didn't go to crazy just getting a feel for the clear coat and seeing how hard this clear was.
Not to bad, with tape removed you can see better 50/50 but still need's more sanding, this front part is the worst where they had the biggest decal and lots of small numbers and letters. Luckily it's just about a 2 foot section towards the front and the rest is just lots of swirls and scratches.
Ready for polishing with M100, Solo cut wool pad and the 3401 Flex and have 4200 lumens helping me see better.
2nd application here, Didn't look so well on the 1st application. using on speed 6 about 15 lbs. pressure and 4 section passes. Starting to look OK but this is very hard clear and have to chip away little by little and stop to check progress.
Close-up and now you see there's still more scratches left behind, more Compounding.
Extreme close-up to show scratches much clearer.
Close-up and show top section were decals were and that the rest of the scratches are to deep and don't want to take a chance of removing to much clear. The bottom and rest of area are about 90% swirl and scratch free and good enough for this 14 year old cargo van.
Showing a 50/50 picture, as you can see to the left side where the LED is how much more clearer the light is then on the right side which hasn't been Damp sanded or polished yet.
Just got through Damp sanding the rest of this side of the van's center section with 3000 grit paper on DA on speed 4.
Close up after Damp sanding with 3000 grit. Tape is for my reference stops for different sections and also to let me know how far back I need to go to blend together and start lighting up on pressure.
What I'm using for Damp sanding and the Harbor Freight DA.
Flex 3401, Meguiars Solo wool cutting pad along with a LC CCS light cut foam pad and M100 along with foam pad brush and spur for cleaning off spent product and clear coat. As much as I love the little 7424 XP it isn't much for this hard clear and would have been a waste of time.
Going to be doing my 2nd application on the last section for the top and how much product I'm using.
After 2 application with 4 section passes with each application.
Going back over a 3rd application to try to add more clarity and to make sure holograms or marring are removed. Slowed speed down along with pressure and just made 2 section passes.
Done with the top section.
Used about 6oz. of M100 this far, I do love how after you set the bottle back down the M100 doesn't stick/cling to the side.
Didn't take as many pics of the fender but the same technique was used, have about 90% swirl free and looking pretty good. At the top on my hood is all the wool pad dust, the only reason I hate using wool pads.
Working on the door and the lower half, couldn't do without my LED's!
Done with the compounding step, got late last night and will post up the rest when I get it all cleaned up and ready for the GTechniq coating. Here's the last 2 full pics of the driver side finished and a much better Reflective Gloss! Now for GTechniq and my decals and logo! Thanks for looking!!
Test Hoods Are Cheap And Most Of The Time Free
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