Before I received this car (it was my grandmothers), it had some repair work performed on the two front fenders for some minor dents (she had very narrow garage doors and the Bonny is not exactly a narrow car!) Well, the shop that my Dad chose to use (I had no say in it-plus how hard could it be to paint two fenders!) is a small-town operation that did a horrible job. The two front fenders have some over-spray/orange peel. I couldn't complain too much because I was just happy to be receiving the car with only 13K miles on it. The color matches fine but is just rough.

Well, with warmer weather finally arriving, I'm ready to smooth them out.

Anyways, I am mechanically-inclined but have minimal auto body repair knowledge. A 1600 grit wet-sand perhaps? Would it need to be re-cleared? Buffed?

Lay it all on me. I'm not afriad to do any of my own work but I just need some guidance. I don't want to whack it up.

Thanks--Mark

Wet Sanding was the first thing that popped into my head. But, you'd probabl;y still need someone to professionally re clear it....

Hmmm, I wonder if I'd be ahead just to take it somewhere. I wouldn't think it would cost too much to do. Ya think?

Wet sanding is removing the clear that is on top of the paint, personally I would use a 2000 grit wetsand paper, be sure to keep it well watered, and dont just have the pressure on your finger tips, use your hand as an even surface while sanding, keep lots of water that is by far the most important, after is completly smooth its going to look dull, thats when the 3m rubbing compund comes into play, make sure the surface is dry, and get a buffing wheel or do it by hand, hnad is much safer, you dont want to burn edges and what not if you have never used a high speed polisher, thatll bring back the shine, and then put a good coat of wax and your good to go, just be careful around edges especially on the fenders and so fourth if you burn an edge theres little hope of bringing it back, so hand is better, let me know if you need any other questions answered,

tools needed
compound
2000 wet sand paper
lots of water bottles ( use a water bottle and poke a hole in the cap cheap squeeze bottle for water)
wax
high speed polisher not necessary but would bhell of alot qucker
Good luck, save the money and do it yourself youll be happier in the end

Try a clay bar. I have read that body shops use this alot for removing overspray.

http://www.guidetodetailing.com/arti...p?articleId=14

Read towards middle of article

"Paint and body shops have been using it for years to remove paint overspray. "

Yah, I've been reading about that. I think my fenders are a little beyond the claybar'* capabilities. Great looking car BTW.

Left fender is done--turned out pretty nice. 1500 grit wet-sand, buffing compound with buffing pad on my cordless drill, scratch remover and finally some carnuba wax. It was some pretty heavy orange peel and isn't perfect but I'm quit pleased. Saved some bucks anyways. Thanks for the assistance.

If the orange peel is pretty bad (very bumpy) you'd have to start with a lower grit paper and work your way up to 1500 and 2000, or you won't get it as smooth as you'd want. Usually 800 is used to remove orange peel. 1500 - 2000 are final sanding.

Sounds like you are doing well though!

Yah, it'* not perfect but it'll do. They had some 1000-grit but didn't know if that would be too much so I went with the 1500. I'll check it out in the sun tomorrow. Quit early tonight--cordless batteries didn't want to play anymore. I honestly cannot belive any body shop would send a car out like they did this one. Absolutely terrible...and he lives right across from my folk'* house! Oh well, I'm having fun fixing it actually so it'* turning out alright.

I hope you dont hate it in the sunlight. But it sounds like it turned out ok.