Wet Sanding BMW 745 Repaint

Totoland Mach

Totoland Mach

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Quick story behind this car. An elderly doctor bought the car in that he purchased from a "reputable" dealer 3 years ago and wanted to trade it in on a newer pre-owned Bimmer. My dealer noticed the passenger side looked funny, so out came the paint guage and .... u-guessed-it: it had been repainted. Lots of orange peel and work ahead.

Up on the trusty lift and break out the 2000 grit wet paper and soapy water. Followed that with a wool pad and 3M Extra Cut, then a foam cutting pad and Optimum. Tomorrow, I'll polish, glaze and Ultrafina SE the car.

Thought you AutoGeeker's would like to see wet sanding results.

Before I started (used ONR to do a wipe down on the car)

May07_745begin.jpg


Closeup of the orange peel and lack of gloss

May07_745beginDoorCloseup.jpg


May07_745_StartOnRepaintedside.jpg


Door shot of beginning. It was probably a "passable" paint for another car, but unacceptable for this shop.

May07_745beginDoor.jpg


Shot of one door Wet Sanded and the other was compounded with wool.

May07_745_wetsanded_compare.jpg


Better comparison shot of wet sanded and compounded

May07_745_wetsanded_plusCompounded.jpg


One door with wool pad traces and the other door compounded with the foam pad.

May07_745_OneDoorDoneOneWoolpad.jpg


I'll post some after polishing/glazing shots tomorrow night.

Toto
 
That's some awesome work you are doing out there, Toto! Somebody repainted a car and didn't even do a good job, huh?
 
Awesome again Toto. That wet sanded paint is scarey to look at for an inexperienced guy like me. Maybe someday.
 
I agree the thought of wet sanding scares me to death.
 
I'm sure it will turn out great Toto. It looks like those wheel well also need a litte cleaning.
 
Thanks folks:

The paint job apparently was "passable" as the doctor didn't even realize that side had been repainted. In the first picture, you can see that it's ok from a distance.

Gary: the wheels come off today and go to a re-finisher (sanding and painting), so we didn't even bother to clean them.

I'll have some better shots tonight. Wet Sanding isn't too bad. I keep a spray bottle next to me and keep the area wet, plus I check my in-process work frequently. The goal was to remove the orange peel, then use wool and compound to bring the finish back.

Toto
 
Would be great to see a video of the wet sanding and steel wool process. Any specifics on the type of 2000 grit sandpaper and the steel wool that is used?
 
paivag said:
Would be great to see a video of the wet sanding and steel wool process. Any specifics on the type of 2000 grit sandpaper and the steel wool that is used?
Click to expand...

NO STEEL WOOL! I use a Meguiar's wool pad on the rotary!

The wet sanding paper is 3M, but Meguiar's makes a good product as well. The key is to keep the paper and the area you are working on wet and frequently clean the sand paper so it doesn't load up with clear coat paint.

Toto
 
Cool, very nice Toto...I like the pictures. Question for you though, if you wet sand with 2000 grit paper why would you use a wool pad? Why not just go over it with a foam pad and an agresive polish? Actually I understand the wool pad becuase it does level it all out but could you please explain on this. Looking forward to the rest Toto, you do great work and I've learned lots from you my friend. Wet sanding is wicked, you just have to be carefull.

Steel wool on paint? No way...never...maybe if your trying to remove the paint completely and bringing it down to the bare steel.
 
Nica: I use the wool + compound to remove the sanding marks and get a uniform appearance. The key to wool is keeping the pad clean with a spur and only using a small amount of compound.

The follow up with a foam pad and light compound is really to remove any light scratches the wool missed.

I watched a very experienced body shop person use wool so well that you could almost go to a last step product...he was that good! I learned a ton from him and it's paying off in the nice finish that I'm starting to get with wool.

Toto
 
Totoland Mach said:
Nica: I use the wool + compound to remove the sanding marks and get a uniform appearance. The key to wool is keeping the pad clean with a spur and only using a small amount of compound.

The follow up with a foam pad and light compound is really to remove any light scratches the wool missed.

I watched a very experienced body shop person use wool so well that you could almost go to a last step product...he was that good! I learned a ton from him and it's paying off in the nice finish that I'm starting to get with wool.

Toto
Click to expand...

That makes sense to me Toto, I understand what you mean. I purchased the Meguiars wool pad and other pads to try. I'll need lots of practice with the wool pads...then again that's what I said about the PC and look at me know.

With practice I can totally see a achieving great results with a wool pad.

Thanks for the info Toto.
 
Updated!

Finished the re-painted side of the car and finished wool + compound + foam + compound.

The repainted side finished remarkably well...better than I anticipated.

Here's what I started with in reflection and gloss

May07_745_OneDoorBefore.jpg


Here's that side in a reflection shot

May07_745_SideReflectionAfterCom-1.jpg



May07_745_SideReflectionAfterCompou.jpg


Tomorrow, I'll glaze the entire car, Ultrafina SE, and Meguiar's #26. I should be able to get some good outside "sun" shots as the weather is supposed to be nice.

Then, it's on to the interior.

Later Folks: Have a SAFE Memorial Day Weekend

Toto
 
Great job Toto! It looks like you have some pictures hanging on the side of the car.
 
Toto i wish i just could work (aka "stand") beside you for a week or two, just to see you work.

As said before, you truly do amazing work.

One Q: when/if you tuch the painters tape with the rotary, does it leave marks (glue residue)
 
Truls said:
Toto i wish i just could work (aka "stand") beside you for a week or two, just to see you work.

As said before, you truly do amazing work.

One Q: when/if you tuch the painters tape with the rotary, does it leave marks (glue residue)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the compliments everyone!

Truls: I'm always "aware" of where the painter's tape is in relation to the rotary pad. I try to not use excess pressure on the tape itself and I've only had a problem with glue residue because I used some old/crummy tape. I also use some duct tape where the rotary might get on or near: like the BMW Roundel emblems on the hood and trunk lid. That seems to be tougher and can stand more heat.

Toto
 
Here's a couple of more reflection shots of the side I wet sanded. Tomorrow, I'll power wash it and apply a coat of Meguiar's #26 with a pc.

May07_745_SideViewOnLift.jpg


May07_745_PsngrSideOnLift2.jpg


May07_745_RearbumperOnLift.jpg


See You Folks Later!

Toto
 
Toto..very nice job on the wetsanding...paint looks so level now...and gloss is great....very Nice

Al
 
I agree those pictures are incredable, the reflection looks really good and the depth is very nice. You do good work Master Toto hehehe ;)
 
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