Clear Coat vs. No Clear Coat

[Bingster]

I was told that using a clear coat for a black paint job shows up a lot of swirl marks that are difficult to remove.

Advice?

[Plymouthy Adams]

swirl marks in clear coat is not more than swirl marks in enamel..black is the culprit more than anything else..I would not ever but ever machine buff black either clear coat or enamel..and if you do...my advice is Maguires #26 yellow wax..it is rather forgiving on swirls..

[busycoupe]

I had my car painted and clearcoated. It is not black, but the red is a deep color. I have not noticed swirl marks, however I have not power buffed it. I have waxed it by hand.

Dave

[Rusty O'Toole]

Tim you say you would not buff clear coat on black. Happens I had my Porsche 911 painted black w/clear a couple of years ago, the paint job did not come out the greatest and I was planning on having it wet sanded and buffed, what alternative do I have?

[Plymouthy Adams]

It is a lot of work..and it could be the finishing touch to a machine buff if it is in need of a how we say heavy cut...you may machine buff..but I would only buff it once and only to get the marks out...unless you applied the clear and know how much you have to work with...then hand polish using Maguiar system..it is time consuming but you be surprised it is not as bad as you think..goes really fast....it makes all the difference in theworld in final appearance...it is the reason the Tiger I painted for my friend gets the awards it does and the invite to the concours de elegance..follow Maguirs step, keep your rags clean and damp..

if the finish is not bad to start with, start with the deglossing compound by hand and degloos and level the finish and remove the dust nibs..any serious imperfections work with 2500 wet and dry before doing the overall degloss..anyway..most of you know what to do..just take you time..you will be pleased with your results..and when its all polished..finish with the #26 yellow wax for the wet look.

[RobertKB]

My '38 Chysler is base coat/clear coat black. Yes, after washing a few times and dusting with a California duster it does show a few swirl marks. One coat of Mother Carnuba wax and virtually everything is gone and it is good to go for another year. I recently had my '48 Dodge repainted a quite dark blue in an enamel paint and it shows swirl marks too. A really good wax job I believe is the answer.

Incidentally, I am happy with both paint jobs but if I had it to do over again I would probably do the black paint job in an enamel as it is a bit more like the original paint would have been. However, as I will likely never repaint the car that is just academic. Present black paint job is 8 years old and the picture was taken this year.

Black '38 Chrysler

Blue '48 Dodge

[Rusty O'Toole]

It is a lot of work..and it could be the finishing touch to a machine buff if it is in need of a how we say heavy cut...you may machine buff..but I would only buff it once and only to get the marks out...unless you applied the clear and know how much you have to work with...then hand polish using Maguiar system..it is time consuming but you be surprised it is not as bad as you think..goes really fast....it makes all the difference in theworld in final appearance...it is the reason the Tiger I painted for my friend gets the awards it does and the invite to the concours de elegance..follow Maguirs step, keep your rags clean and damp..

if the finish is not bad to start with, start with the deglossing compound by hand and degloos and level the finish and remove the dust nibs..any serious imperfections work with 2500 wet and dry before doing the overall degloss..anyway..most of you know what to do..just take you time..you will be pleased with your results..and when its all polished..finish with the #26 yellow wax for the wet look.

Tim the paint job was done in a rather poor shop with inadequate facilities, the painter assured me he put on enough paint and clear to wet sand and buff out. He knows what he is doing, at the time he did not have the best paint shop.

So it appears it is possible to wet sand buff and wax and get a good looking car. It was never meant to be a show car just a nice looking driver.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Rusty..you can only work the clear..the base paint color you do not ever want to break through to...many a paint job can be save with base coat clear coat with just a wet sand and reclear..with couple medium coats..have done this in the past..will save the job..but must be done well before break though..

if you do not hae deep nibs or say bug tracks in the paint..simple overall degloss and hand polish will go fast and more than not do the job..I now lots of folks with shops will buff the hang out of these but then they only have to make them look good for a year and the warranty is out..and trust me..you either did not wash it enough and the fallout damaged the paint or the ohter side of the coin is that you have over polished the cars with abrasives and harsh soaps thereby breakeown the clear coat..warranty, money back gurantee....we are satisfied with you money and guarantee you will not get your money back..