A wax shouldn't strip the paint.
Before waxing, work on the foundation. Not trying to be rude or anything, but it looks a bit uneven. With that said, you can get a decent look. How did you prep? How did you apply the paint? Did you fog it on or use even strokes? What paint did you use? Did you lay a few coats of clear on top?
To show I'm not picking. I did my fender vents body color.
No compounding or polishing was needed afterward. I even did a hood of a suzuki samurai ~24 years ago.
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The (above) is a reply I received to a post in which I showed about 3 photos and made the following comments:
Here, are a couple of pics:
1- Dented fender (before).
2- Fender (after)- correcting dent with hammer and dolly.
(3- Picture of car, thus far).
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I very much appreciate the reply and the specific questions (which I tried to answer in another post reply). I thank this user very much, honestly. And look forward to any help that can
be provided (by more veteran auto buffs).
I just feel like there is one thing I need to point out, and here, I'm am speaking to all members of the forum (not just the replier, above). I realize his comments were indeed genuine, and
he is indeed trying to help. (I may even have these comments, in a separate post, as I think they are important):
I take it that there are varying levels of "auto buffs" in this forum (beginner, intermediate and advanced). I also realize that some are using spray guns and others are using rattle cans. Regardless, the commonality for likely 95% of members is they have a passion for "this", as a "hobby". (Actually, it's more than a "hobby"; as Mike P. said in a forum once, in a way it's a form
of "therapy"). Most of us, especially those using rattle cans, have put in hours of weekend labor into these projects.
With that in mind. When replies are given, I think it's important to point out both the "good" and the "areas needing improvement". As, yes; we are here to "learn", but this forum is also a source
of "support"/"encouragement", regarding a common passion.
Merely an example: In this post, I showed three photos of a car I've been working on for quite some time (many weekends). The last two photos were a photo of the car, with a severely/complicated dent in the fender. (the before). The next photo was (the after). That is after repairing the dented fender using merely a "hammer and dolly".
However in the reply (and I realize innocuously), it was pointed out the paint wasn't smooth, etc. This is fine, and I hope will be helpful. But, no comment on the repaired fender.
I had actually never used a hammer and dolly before, and amazed myself, I was able to tap out the dent.
Bottom line: We all need encouragement as well as feedback.
The replier then posted a picture of his car which needed no compound. It wasn't clarified, but certainly appears to be painted with a spray gun. We all know, in this area; we are talking apples
and oranges. Sure, I could go and pay someone to paint my car professionally with a spray gun and that would be that. But that's not the point. Nor is it the point of the enthusiasts in this forum,
would I imagine. What better feeling, than to put in the time and effort; when away from the job, to tap out a complex dent in a fender, to where it appears never dented. A feeling of satisfaction
and accomplishment, which no one really cares about, but you. (I realize at a body shop, they would have just ordered a new fender)... and that's not the point. I hope this post makes sense. It truly is not intended for the replier, here, but a general statement for this forum.
Thanks,
Rollo
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