Final steps of VHT taillight shading

[hfrog355]

I am posting this link because I know others have had this issue, but the thread over in DIY isn't geting much traction. Please help out, if you can.

VHT finishing help

[fairladyZ34]

clear coat usually takes a good amount of time to dry before you should buff them with polishing compunds and a buffer if you have one.

here is a good tutorial

How to Smoke Taillights - Nissan 350Z & 370Z Wiki

[hfrog355]

Originally Posted by fairladyZ34

clear coat usually takes a good amount of time to dry before you should buff them with polishing compunds and a buffer if you have one.

here is a good tutorial

How to Smoke Taillights - Nissan 350Z & 370Z Wiki

Yeah, I read on the can that the clear coat can take up to a week to fully cure. In light of that, I haven't done anything since Saturday when I did the original work.

I have a few questions:
- How many coats of clear coat should be applied? I only put on one, because it was really looking cloudy, but it had cleared up some as time goes by and I haven't done anything to it yet (i.e. rubbing compound/buffing). I can add more coats this weekend if needed.
- What is the difference between a rubbing compound and a polishing compound:

Turtle Wax T415 - Rubbing Compound | O'Reilly Auto Parts

Turtle Wax T417 - Polishing Compound | O'Reilly Auto Parts

Any suggestions on which one would be better? I don't have a rotary buffer, so I'd be doing all this by hand.

[Joka4411]

look nice

[Liquid_G]

I'm not an expert by any means so feel free to chime in here folks... but in my opinion...

I'm thinking you may want more than one coat of clear on those.. because to get a really good shiny finish on the clear coat, you are going to want to lightly wetsand the clear coat and then polish it up with the rubbing / polishing compound.. I'd shoot for 3 coats total. If you already have one coat on there I think you'll need to rough up the surface lightly with some 1000 grit wetsand paper.

After it cures lightly wetsand it with some 1500-2000 grit paper to knock down any rough spots or dust or orangepeel.

The rubbing vs polishing compound question.. Rubbing compound is more aggressive than polish compound. So after sanding you can do rubbing compound first, then hit it with polish compound..

Get your self a small buffer, even a cheapo one from harbor freight or home depot.. it will save your hands and really bring out the shine when you get to polishing it.. use a foam pad to apply each compound and remove the polish with microfiber.

I painted my engine cover pieces using this method on my old Maxima about a year ago. turned out like glass after polishing.. even using rattle cans for paint and clear. Good luck!

[toxik]

I used a 2000 Grit wetsand paper after applying 2 coats of clear. After that you just have to polish the hell out of it in order to get it to look glassy and full of gloss. I didn't have a buffer since I'm scared of burning the paint off, so I did it by hand with an applicator pad.

Best compound to use is Meguire's Ultimate Compound!

here's the final result of mine:

[KaienZ34]

It looks good you gotta do the 3rd brake light...

[hfrog355]

Thanks for all the feedback!

I just placed my order for some 2000 grit sandpaper, the Meguiar's Ultimate Compound and a soft foam polishing pad.

My plan is to lightly sand the lights on Friday and then apply another 2 coats of clear before really sanding then good and using the ultimate compound to gloss them up.

How long should I wait for the paint to dry before sanding and using the compound?

[toxik]

Originally Posted by hfrog355

Thanks for all the feedback!

I just placed my order for some 2000 grit sandpaper, the Meguiar's Ultimate Compound and a soft foam polishing pad.

My plan is to lightly sand the lights on Friday and then apply another 2 coats of clear before really sanding then good and using the ultimate compound to gloss them up.

How long should I wait for the paint to dry before sanding and using the compound?

depends on the conditions of where it is drying, but 3-4 hours is probably enough I'd say. By the way make sure you wetsand it, not just sand it without any water/soap.

When it comes to the compound, rub it as hard and fast as you can, you want to create as much friction heat as possible in order to get the best result.

[hfrog355]

Ok, I should be fine then...I'm painting on Friday and leaving town on Saturday. I should be back to buff later in the week.

I appreciate the advice on the wetsanding.