I got my car back last week from the body shop and I noticed maybe a small paint or clear coat run on the edge of the front fender. The thing is, the body shop wet sanded the area and it looks fine--but -when light hits it a certain way--there looks like a "run". I called the body shop and they explained about clear coating-but if they went to far they might penetrate the paint. What grit sand paper should I use and polishing compound--or procedure involved? Or should i just forget it and live w/ it because it is only noticeable if light hits it a certain way?

Any feed back would help

 

1000 - 2000 grit wet sandpaper should do the trick and rubbing compound, I think, comes only in one kind. Then there's polishing compound. The problem with just wet sanding the run is that you will always have the "line of demarcation" between the clearcoat that was the run and the clearcoat just next to it. You need to sand it down to just below the level of the run (if possible), re-spray the clearcoat (has to be the exact same kind that was used - yes, there are differences), then wet sand again very cautiously, rubbing compound, polishing compound, then wax or polish. Good Luck!

 

Should I wet sand on the run itself or where it blends into the paint? (the "edge")

Do I wet sand in circles or back and forth?

Do I place the polishing compound on the paint and wet sand w/ it or do I apply it after wet sanding?

And I don't want to have to re-clear coat the area, is this needed?

 

Wet sand mostly the run itself with a very slight overlap onto the rest of the clearcoat. You use the rubbing compound afterwards (separately) with a cloth or polish applicator pad. Always sand and compound in one direction and then, if possible, @ 90 degrees to the original direction. Make sure you soak the sandpaper in room temp water for about 1/2 hour before use. Cut into tiny manageable pieces. When sanding use a stead dribble of water onto the surface being sanded. Rub gently at first till you figure out how much you're taking off. Rub a few strokes, then feel with your bare fingers how it's going. Take it slow and easy or you rip off too much paint. Use your fingers and your eyes to see the progress. It's better to take a little off, then go at it with rubbing compound to see what it looks like. If you're happy with with, wet sand some more, rubbing compound some more, etc. When you're happy with it, then using the polishing compound to finish off before waxing. You might get away without having the re-spray clearcoat but no guarantee. See if you can get a very small rubber block for wrapping the sandpaper over. If you squeeze the block, the sandpaper will form a slight convex surface for you to get only the run. It's a tedious process. Don't do it till you can spend as much time as you may need on it.

 

If this were me, I would either live with it or make the body shop redo everything to make it look perfect. But that's me. How large or small of a flaw is it?

 

This is a really good point.

 

If you have never done wet sanding before, I recommend that you don't try it for the first time on your baby.

 

I really don't like the idea either. I had two people look at the front fender and they couldn't tell. i guess maybe I'm to much of a perfectionist--or anal about my car. I will have my friend look at it in the sun and if he can't see it, then I will drop the whole thing.


It is wierd--when the sun light hits the car--you can see a line from the top to the middle on the edge where there is a crease--this panel is where the S2000 emblem is. But it seems only when the light is on it a certain way!