My Wetsand Project!

[blackf0rk]

Some of you may know that my neighbor and I are 'professional' detailers. We detail cars out of our garage, and we love doing it. Him and I have gotten so sick of the orange peel and general 'condition' of my paint that we have started the "Wetsand Project".

It basically turns the paint into better-than-factory condition - but upkeep is quite high. Anyways, this is how it works...

1. Remove all dust from the panel you're about to work on
2. Add touch-up paint (Marauder Spec)
3. Wetsand panel
4. Buff Panel
5. Polish Panel

There's more detailed steps in between, but we'd like to keep our procedures secret. We will however say that to get it right taks about 2hrs/panel. The hood, roof, and rear lid however, take a longer for obvious reason

Here are some shots I took from our progress today...


This is what the orange peel is like on the entire car. This particular picture is of the worst spot, but other areas are usually just as bad on my car. Might I point out that this panel had a wash, clay, and buff before taking he picture. Any specs are either paint nibs or overspray from the buffer...

http://www.enspiar.com/boosted/wetsand/buff_noSand.jpg





The next two pictures illustrate the sanding process. You can't do that with clay... ;)

http://www.enspiar.com/boosted/wetsand/fullySandedDoor.jpg

http://www.enspiar.com/boosted/wetsand/fullySandedDoor_close.jpg





And here are a few pictures of the final product on one of the panels. This is after buffing and polishing out the sanding swirls/scratches. Any specs you see now are just overspray dustlets from the buffing process. Also, notice that there is no more orange peel, and it's literally a black mirror!

http://www.enspiar.com/boosted/wetsand/wetSandFinal1.jpg

http://www.enspiar.com/boosted/wetsand/wetSandFinal2.jpg


Again, in this picture, ekeep in mind that the specs you see are overspray duslets from the buffing process. Look! That sign looks like it's painted on!

http://www.enspiar.com/boosted/wetsand/wetSandFinal3.jpg





And here is a comparison of a sanded section, and fully buffed and waxed (finished) sections for your amusment:

http://www.enspiar.com/boosted/wetsand/difference.jpg





If you're interested more in this process for your own Marauder, PM me for more information.

[Petrograde]

2. Add touch-up paint (Marauder Spec)


you mean you rattle canned the door? :confused: :eek:

looks great dude! :up:

[blackf0rk]

you mean you rattle canned the door? :confused: :eek:

looks great dude! :up:
Yes, if that's the way you like to put it. Really though, since you're going to be wetsanding the entire panel's surface, the paint blob of touch-up is sanded down and blends beautifully into the paint - can't even tell you touched it up. :)

[huot5]

Awesome work. you should be proud. alot of defects just pop out once you got that initial sanding done. thanks Ferd!

:rasta:

[CRUZTAKER]

You guys rock!

Incredible talent I wish I was more familiar with.

[Brother Mike]

Some of you may know that my neighbor and I are 'professional' detailers. We detail cars out of our garage, and we love doing it. Him and I have gotten so sick of the orange peel and general 'condition' of my paint that we have started the "Wetsand Project".

It basically turns the paint into better-than-factory condition - but upkeep is quite high. Anyways, this is how it works...

1. Remove all dust from the panel you're about to work on
2. Add touch-up paint (Marauder Spec)
3. Wetsand panel
4. Buff Panel
5. Polish Panel

There's more detailed steps in between, but we'd like to keep our procedures secret. We will however say that to get it right taks about 2hrs/panel. The hood, roof, and rear lid however, take a longer for obvious reason

Here are some shots I took from our progress today...


This is what the orange peel is like on the entire car. This particular picture is of the worst spot, but other areas are usually just as bad on my car. Might I point out that this panel had a wash, clay, and buff before taking he picture. Any specs are either paint nibs or overspray from the buffer...

http://www.enspiar.com/boosted/wetsand/buff_noSand.jpg





The next two pictures illustrate the sanding process. You can't do that with clay... ;)

http://www.enspiar.com/boosted/wetsand/fullySandedDoor.jpg

http://www.enspiar.com/boosted/wetsand/fullySandedDoor_close.jpg





And here are a few pictures of the final product on one of the panels. This is after buffing and polishing out the sanding swirls/scratches. Any specs you see now are just overspray dustlets from the buffing process. Also, notice that there is no more orange peel, and it's literally a black mirror!

http://www.enspiar.com/boosted/wetsand/wetSandFinal1.jpg

http://www.enspiar.com/boosted/wetsand/wetSandFinal2.jpg


Again, in this picture, ekeep in mind that the specs you see are overspray duslets from the buffing process. Look! That sign looks like it's painted on!

http://www.enspiar.com/boosted/wetsand/wetSandFinal3.jpg





And here is a comparison of a sanded section, and fully buffed and waxed (finished) sections for your amusment:

http://www.enspiar.com/boosted/wetsand/difference.jpg





If you're interested more in this process for your own Marauder, PM me for more information.

When can I drop mine off?? :)

[juno]

Very nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!:2thumbs:

Yeah, I picked up mine Thursday and they had touched up a few scratches/chips and I did a few more. She's at the dealer today getting fluffed and buffed (supposedly wet sanded). I am pretty disappointed in the black paint on some of the early ones.

So, you are removing the clearcoat? Do you plan on reclearcoating in the future?

[SR20DET]

Hey Guys.. I am the Neighbor helping out Jourdan. :stupid:

Let me first mention that this is a very delicate procedure in which we are "knocking down" the higher, outlining ridges of the orange peel and flattening the clearcoat to a smooth surface. We are using a very fine and uniform grit wetsanding paper. The clearcoat is still there, but thinner, that's why skill, expirience and big cojones are all necessary aside from the proper materials.

No, we didnt rattle-can the car for touch-ups, we used OEM Touch-Up Paint for the Marauder Black color-code. UA? UC? I forget, Heck, it isn't even my car. It's the .5oz Laquer based paint with the small brush inside; found at your elderly.. echem, Friendly, Lincoln Mercury Dealer.

The pictures above help show the Clarity and Depth that is gained from this. Again, this is with great risk, especially for someone without prior Autobody Paint expirience.

I'm sure Jourdan will take further pictures of our progress today after more headway is made with our slow process around the LARGE car.

[RoyLPita]

Welcome aboard. Keep up the good work.

[rocknrod]

Cut-n-Buff. This guys knows what he's doing. See the blue tape on the edges so he doesnt cut thru the paint ? Nice job!

[sailsmen]

Thats one incredible shine!

Is there any wax or sealant?

[ckadiddle]

You guys know what you are doing. Excellent job! You really don't realize how BIG a Marauder is until you put all that effort into it one panel at a time!

[blackf0rk]

Thats one incredible shine!

Is there any wax or sealant?We do use a swirl remover (which buffs and fills), a paint cleanser, and a wax.

We're almost done. Just have to do the driver's side door, front fender and hood! :)