Targatheory

If you guys have read my steel wool thread, you would know why I am thinking of resorting to this. I already tried compounding/polishing it out. No go. I think now the damage is worse. I picked up can of Duplicolor Acrylic Spray enamal. I figure I could at least put on a few coats of shiny clear, if only to reflect the light a bit. I just want to know what you guys think aboutthis, and how durable is it? I sprayed some in a small spot and let it dry for like 5 minutes (It really did make that one spot look so much better). But I scratched it with my nail and it easily stripped. I know it takes about 24 hours to cure, but still, it make me think I'm doing something cheap here.

altspace

iTrader: (2)

It won't adhere unless all wax is removed. Over time it may turn yellowish. In the hot sun it will become very pliable and easily scratched. I sugest you have a professional refinish.

Targatheory

Yah, I considered the yellowing, but then figured it wouldn't look too bad on a black car, not with wax on it at least. And by then, I will have enough money for a new bumper.

Anything professional is out of question, I cannot afford it yet. I see this as a temporary, make car look shiny again cure.

I'm just hoping that when I'm done I won't have have easy scratches all over.

altspace

iTrader: (2)

Good luck. Any pics?

Targatheory

Naw, I don't have my camera, left it in a buddy's dorm room who won't be back till later this week.

Anyway, this is what I did.

Clean with Dawn

Mask and Tape

One light layer

Another light layer 10 minutes later

Another light layer 10 minutes later

One medium layer 10 minutes later

Final "even out" layer 20 minutes later

This morning I was really surprised to see how strong this stuff is. I couldn't pick at it, or mar it at all. It did look really bubbly, but saw no problem because it is what I expected.

I took some Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound, a reddish clay paste, and hand rubbed it for about 10 minutes with a MF cloth. I actually did this over and over (I soon realized I shouldn't have put on so many coats). After rubbing compounding it, I got my DA and did some old fashioned polishing with Meguair Deep Crystal Polish.

In low light situations, it looks really good. But as I took it out to the sun, I soon saw the problem. There is of course a definite difference between the enameled part and the untouched part. I can tell that the areas where I hand compounded (rubbed really really hard) harder , and polished more, were definitely a lot more glossy and closer to the OEM black paint shine.

My next steps will be to keep on using the rubbing compound I have, and rub until my arms bleed, then polish. I will continue doing this until I am satisfied with the way it looks and blends in with the rest of the paint. I'm confident it work, but know it will take forever.

At least, even if I have to rub and polish out all the layers of spray paint, I know that the swirling problem will be resolved. I seriously cannot see ONE swirl or scratch through the gloss. It's almost like a semi-permanent high gloss wax. I know that now there is some acrylic enamel embedded into the scratches on this part of my bumper, and it somewhat satisfies me even though I will go through a shitload trying to make it blend.