I am considering having my Car {41 Coupe} color sanded, by a Pro !

It has a 2 stage paint job {Admiral Green, stock color} about 8+ years old, with a top clear coat.

My goal would be to get ride of/reduce the Orange peel. Mostly on the side panels {doors, rear qtrs.}

I’ve tried the buffer a few times {carefully} and it helps a bit, but does NOT remove much orange peel.

Some people say "do it" & some say "don't" to risky.

What opinions do you guys have ??
Thanks as always,
Michael41

If the "Pro" knows what he is doing it will be OK. He will probably use #2000 sand paper and water and then rebuff. Have him try it on one panel first and then you judge the results.

You can sand clear coat with no problem; Just stop if you see any color in your sanding material coming off. You can re-apply more clear-coat if you use the same manufacturers paint, should you get into the color. Use a grease & wax remover first then wet sand with 1500 to 2000 grit and use a squeegee to check for leveling of the orange peel. Finish with a machine polish.

Back in the Spring of '92 my low mileage '55 BelAir 2 door post needed painting so I took it to a high school auto shop where I could prepare it for painting. We - the shop teacher, students and me - stripped it down to bare and the shop teacher did the priming. He then took it to his home paint booth and painted it with the two step process. He showed me how to sand the clear coat to remove the orange peel and how to use a two speed buffer/polisher to do the rest. I didn't have any experience with that process because my former projects used the old nitrocellulose lacquer. And, I was amazed how well it came out, but the downside was that it took me all winter to do it. And under the modern lights at our expo center, it looks better than many professional paint jobs...

Thanks guys. I'm getting the impression, that by using a "pro" it will be a worthy project.

I have mixed feelings about doing it myself {?} I watch some guys doing it a few months ago and one thing is clear {perdon the pun}, I will sure find out/confirm where my car may leak water...Yikes!!

But I do think I am going to go ahead with the color sanding. Out here {Left Coast} the prices run from $200.-600. But it will look better.

I'll keep you informed & Thanks for the information.
Michael41

Mike this is one step you don't try and get the best deal on. The guy you get to do the cuttin & buffin' should be aware of the companies clear that was used and product #. And should be aware of the amount of coats that where laid down. If there where only two coats laid down I would not have it done. The clear is your UV protection. With trying to get some orange peal out or the urethane wave you may lose alot of that protection. Because there is orange peel doesn't mean there is alot of clear on there. Usually the opposite or gun was not set up right. If you burn thru to the base your screwed. You need to rebase and clear. If I don't know the type of clear used or how many coats where laid down I won't touch it with out the customer being aware of the problems. More times then not I will reclear the problem areas after I have taken 600 - 800 to it to flatten it out. Then two coats of clear. Depending on the car and the clear used it would be 500.00 - 800.00 just to cut and buff. Good luck.

Great advice !! Thanks.

I do NOT know the paint No. or how many coats were used. I will try to get ahold of the guy that restored my car, maybe he remembers {?}

I am not against putting on more clear on the car, I just was not ready to pay that amount of money, at this time. so it may be best to do some research and wait until my budget builds a bit.

Thanks much for all the info.
Michael41