Think I screwed up

[Paul Clark]

Car has had a so-so paint job since I bought it.
Can't afford to get it done right now, so thought I would play a bit.
Color-sanded a section and knocked down the orange-peal in the clear.
Found some 3M Perfect-It III Rubbing Compound.
No more orange-peal, but no shine either - and lots of swirl marks.
All I've got is a little electric polisher like for waxing.
Can I fix this with something? Like maybe a finer grit compound?
Thanks
Paul

 

[stickybones]

Now go over it with a swirl mark remover polish, followed by a paint sealant and/or wax. Compounding is known to leave a dull finish.

 

[Thumper]

buffing

DO NOT BELEIVE that compounding leaves a car dull, unless done improperly which you did, what grade sandpaper did you use? If it is 1200 or 1500 and smoother you may be ok, I like 2000 grit, a buffer around 1000 rpm will be needed along with 3m microfinishing compound, buffed with a wool pad with lite pressure, then foam pad and 3m finessit, and final with a different foam pad and a swirl mark remover again I like 3m, then a hand glaze and or good wax, the later two compounds will bring it alive and only takes a few drops for a 1 by 1 foot area. correct me if I am wrong, but you only did one of a four or five step buff job. But it may be able to come back if there is clear still on it.

Thanks
Bill

 

[87 Pete]

All I've got is a little electric polisher like for waxing.
Can I fix this with something? Like maybe a finer grit compound?
Thanks
Paul

Make sure you get a heavy-duty polisher, like the one dewalt makes, or you can get a cheap version from harbor freight. An orbital waxer doesn't have the horsepower to polish very well. It can be used with swirl-remover though, since the orbiting pattern helps eliminate swirls.

I've had excellent luck with 3M Finesse-it, and a wool pad at about 1500 rpm, it polishes the paint like glass, and leaves very minor swirls. Unfortunatey the process is incredibly messy, so you may want to work outdoors, and cover up the parts of the car you are not polishing.

As previously posted, a swirl-remover polish should clean up any swirls, after the paint has already been polished to a high gloss.

Pete

 

[Paul Clark]

Dropped down (up?) to 2500 grit.
Then bought a $42 buffer at Auto Zone.
That, combined with some 3M Finesse-it -
Oh my! Looks like glass, and no wax on it yet.
Many thanks.
Paul