Wet sanding/polishing/clay? Some questions

Numbles

Active Member
Dec 10, 2003
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Chicago, IL
Everyone has probably seen the pics of my car by now. Ive just got the new hood and bumper. But one thing that basically only I notice is that the paint is a little different from the fenders to the hood. Now dont get me wrong the color matches completely.

But there is a lot of small pits I guess you would call it, and scratches in my clearcoat on the fenders. Now the hood is perfect being that it is new. Would it work to wetsand everything to an extent so everything matches. Or would polishing the car do the trick.

Just to let everyone know, I know absolutely nothing about how to take care of paint. I just want the clearcoat on my car to look close to the front of the car.

Ive also heard about claying a car. What is that. And how do you go about claying or polishing. I have no idea what tools or polishes I would use. I can wax a car but that never does the trick.

Sorry for once again a long post.
Thanks
Dan.
 
Here's a pic of the hood a then a pic undernieth of the fender which is 4 inches away.
image0002.jpg.jpg

EDITIN: Above is a reflection of the ceiling light in my garage. The reflection is off of the hood of the car. Notice the difference in glossiness compared to the picture of the same reflection on the fender below.
image09898981.jpg.jpg
 
you can get aclay bar kit from an auto parts store- advanced,autozone,pepboys,etc. I think polishing(requires a high speed polisher) might work better though but it takes a real gentle touch cuz you could burn the paint.wet sanding also takes a real gentle touch as well if you dont feel confident doing either you may want to pay a body shop. My buddy polised my car since he has body shop experience( what a difference it made) my car is originally a CO car and it shows it since they use almost pea gravel for traction in the winters the other waxes i use are meguiars gold care(nice wet look shine) and some turtle wax color match to help hide the blemishes
 
I just clayed my car last weekend. All clay does is remove any surface contaminats like acid rain spots, tar, rail dust, brake dust and any wax you may have just put on. I also used a Zaino car polish called Z5. It's suppose to fill any fine scratches or swirl marks in the paint or clear coat. You could give that a try although I dont think it will help with any pitting.

Mark
 
I was showing the quality of the hood on the top compared to the quality of paint on the fender. Just to show you.

The hood is glossy where the fender is a little gloomy is you know what I meen.

Thanks for the info so far. Since weve all been pic whoring lately because its summer. Does anyone have any before after pics.
 
I asked a few opinions on the condition of my paint and Id need a whole new paint job to get it to match good with the hood. My fedners are pitted to the paint through the clrearcoat. Now the pits are so small you have to put your face up to the paint to see it but owell. This thread can die now. I can do anything about the pitting.
 
get the car detailed. My 95 is black and as everyone knows it shows EVERY little imperfection. I had a friend of mine use a high speed orbit polisher and compound everything out. After a good wash apply some of that new tutrle wax ultra gloss wax - let the stuff work its magic, the difference is night and day !