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Polishing out the clear coat:
About six months ago there was a good write up in the AutoResorer Magazine that is well worth the read. For those that don't subscribe to this magazine, I would highly recommend it. It is full of good information. Although it is a small publishing, it is full of great stuff and you aren't overwhelmed with all the advertisement.
Anyways, the article talked of using a pneumatic sander, in this case, I elected to do all my sanding by hand. This of course meaning it would take more time to sand out but with doing so, I could take my time leaving me with a smaller chance of sanding through the finish.
Ok. After the 2000 grit paper was put away and the entire area washed clean and dried and bringing out the 7" polisher/sander that was bought from Harbor Freight. The polishing wheels were from 3M. The first was the 3M Finesse-It buffing pad, the second one was the 3M Perfect-It pad.
With the Finesse-It pad (tan in color), I used 3M 05973, Perfect-It II Rubbing Compound.
With
the Finesse-It pad slightly damp, about a cap full of rubbing compound was
drizzled on to the pad. First, before pulling the trigger on the
polisher, the compound was wiped on the area to be worked. This being
an area about 2 square feet. Then the polisher was put into action
with the polisher set at is lowest speed. With the slow speed, there
is a smaller chance of the
compound from slinging everywhere, it also gave me time to watch was was
happening so that I would not burn through the finish. Also, before
starting, all the sharp edges was taped off. A lesson that was learned
from the practice I did on the small cargo trailer we pull behind our Goldwing...
Working with in the two square foot area, working from one edge to the other. Either being up and down or left to right slowly covering the entire area, overlapping each pass about three inches. Once those passes were done, I would start over moving from right to left or top to bottom; crossing the path that I took the first time.
At this point the
compound would start to dry out along with the pad. With a few drops
of water added to the pad, with out adding more compound, the process was
repeated the
same process, this time with a much softer touch.
Regardless with the direction I started with, the final pass would the polishing marks flowing in the direction that the area would be seen. For example, on the top corner of the cab, the finishing marks would run vertical. This way, any of the fine scuffs or smears would run in the direction of the reflections and not across... I don't know if this really makes a difference once it was all polished out and waxed, but in my strange way of thinking, it makes sense.
After that small 2 foot area was finished, with a soft polishing cloth the area was wiped clean along with in spatter that would wonder to the surrounding areas...
Now with the entire area being polished out with the rubbing compound, this being the back side of the cab, the tan polishing pad (Finesse-It buffing pad) was replaced with the dark gray one (Perfect-it buffing pad) and the rubbing compound was replaced with 3M 06064, Perfect It Machine Polish, Swirl Mark Remover.
With the gray pad in place and the gray swirl mark remover, the entire process was repeated. As always, keeping the area clean from splatter, gently staying off the high spots and keeping the sharp edged taped.
Polishing
Video
For me, it was very discouraging to see the second coat of clear go on and seeing it run and the bugs flock to it. But after seeing the final transformation, I am glad I did not give up.
