runs in the paint

undercnstrction · Aug 3, 2010

can any of you guys give some advice on how to remove runs in auto paint? a guy i work with just painted a suburban for me that i'm going to try and sell and there are several spots that have runs. overall the paint is good, but i'd like to remove those 3 spots if it's possible without too much headache. i've heard it can be done with a straight razor, then wet sand with 1500-2000, then buff and polish but i've never seen it done (or talked to anyone who has actually done it). it is a base coat of white with 2 or 3 coats of clear. the clear is what has the runs in it, not the white. any thoughts?

ttopstang · Aug 3, 2010

You will have to wet sand and buff it out. You need a buffer not a polisher, and a buffer can burn the paint so you have to be careful.

There are some vids on youtube on how to do it, but if you've never ran a buffer before, I don't recommend it. Maybe you can find somebody at a body shop to take the few runs out. They will probably charge less than you having to go buy a buffer, pads, compunds, and sandpaper.

undercnstrction · Aug 3, 2010

is it something that could be buffed out by hand? or does it need the high rpm of the buffer?

i just thought of another question. how long does the clear need to cure before i go back and wetsand the spots out? he just put the clear down on saturday of this last weekend.

fiveohwblow · Aug 3, 2010

I recommend the buffer and I also would say it's not too difficult to do yourself, just start conservative.

Coast2CoaStang · Aug 3, 2010

Start with 2000 grit wet first, and see how that works on the runs. If needed then go to 1500, followed by 2000. Then you can buff it with compound.

ttopstang · Aug 3, 2010

Its fine to go ahead and do it, the clear has had plenty of time to cure.

You wont be able to buff it by hand. Once you wet sand it, it will look very hazy and only a buffer will get it. You will have to use like a #1 compound, then a #2 compound, and maybe even go over one final time with mothers scratch remover.

undercnstrction · Aug 3, 2010

i watched a couple of the vids on youtube and seems pretty straight forward. i'll probably give it a shot in the next day or so. how about overspray? i watched a pretty lengthy vid on that but they didn't explain anything as they were going along. can i just use a clay bar and call it quits or is there more too it than that?

dgollem · Aug 3, 2010

The key is to use the razor blade to cut down the run before sanding and buffing. Eastwood actually sells a tool that like a wood planer for this. Remember slow and steady wins the race. Good Luck

1987LXragtop · Aug 3, 2010

ive heard that the razor blade trick works that would scare me a little. as for buffing I use a 3 step process from 3M. its a little pricey but it does a nice job. post some b4 and afters if you can. curious to see how it goes.

deftsound · Aug 4, 2010

boy i sure wish i had known this before i painted my fender. I had a couple runs and ended up almost totally screwing my paint job by messing with it before it was dry. I wet sanded the crap out of it and put little polish on it and it looks pretty decent, i need to get a real buffer and actually buff it when i get home...

metalman85 · Aug 4, 2010

dgollem said:
The key is to use the razor blade to cut down the run before sanding and buffing. Eastwood actually sells a tool that like a wood planer for this. Remember slow and steady wins the race. Good Luck

+elentybillion.

shave the run down as smooth as you can get it. it requires a lot less blending and obviously a lot less sanding. i actually learned this trick about 4 years ago watching a show on horse power tv.. might have been trucks! or something.

undercnstrction · Aug 4, 2010

i'll get some before and afters. i was hoping to get to this week but i'm running out of time. i've got other stuff i'm trying to get done before this coming sunday. if it wasn't for this damn job i could get some stuff done

runs in the paint

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