Advice on DIY paint work?

[dunslair]

Hi Folks

I wonder if I could pick the brains of any body shop guru types out there?

I have repaired a few blisters in the paint around the rear arches, and a couple of stone chips and rust at panel seams. All looks fine, and will hopefully keep us going a while longer without major surgery. Although the paint colour is a good match (accepting the original has faded a little), the areas on the rear panels where I have blended in the old and new are a bit 'matt' in finish. I would like to try and polish them up a bit more, so that when you look down the length of the panel it ties in better, but I am not sure what the best way to finish the job off is?

Can anybody recommend a finishing compound, t cut or similar product that would help a DIY jobber to get his shine back?? I don't have any mechanical polisher, but am happy to put in the elbow grease to get it looking right.

Cheers

David.

[wonkanoby]

shine is usually provided by clear top coat not the colour coat

[Spencer54]

Friend of mine years ago sprayed a VW Beetle in his garage.
It was supposed to be gloss black, but went very flat.

He asked around and was told to use the 3m compound and it did a really good job.
Literally changed the look of the car.
He should have lacquered it, but it did a decent enough job in the end.

Have a look at the 3M Perfect-it stuff, if you're feeling flush you could get a Kestrel DA-6.
I've heard good things about them.

[stuc]

I assume you've used aerosols, If you have applied a basecoat then it should be laquered.
If you have used a direct gloss aerosol it will just need a polish.
I have a white one and used a solid white, direct gloss, aerosol, not even the correct colour code. It was appliance white from a local motor factors, and where I used it(corners of spoilers, side skirts) it was good enough.
If was doing any major work I would use some proper paint through a gun.

[dunslair]

Thanks for the replies folks. I will try a decent polish first, and if that does not do the job will apply a clear top coat.



All the best

David.