Hi Guys,

What types of units are you using. Should I try to find a 6" unit or the more common 9 and 10" ers. Any other relevant info for buffing ?

If you're interested in using a 6" OB/P, they're readily available in the lower 48 at Walmart for about $19.95

I'd be willing to pick one up for you and send it to you if that's what you decide to do.

Marc, How did you get on with your RAM 500 in the Starjet ?David Gladwin

RPM- Thanks for the kind offer. We have a Walmarts here too. I'll have to have a look. Is that what you use ?


David- I wish I could say it was complete but I can't ! Looks like a Super Reaper will be the first home for the RAM.

Hi Marc, On the subject of buffing. Be very careful with it. You can rip a surface of in a heartbeat. I build for customers and they always want that buffed appearance. Get a buffer that you can control the speed on. Always buff with the rotation going away from the edges. If you wet sand first with 1000 grit then switch to 2000 grit, it takes a lot less buffing to bring up the shine. Use a fairly fine cutting compound first, and then switch to a foam finishing pad and a good final glazing compound to remove the buffing scratches. Follow that a couple coats of wax and put on your sunglasses. You'll need em. Good luck, and start out slow. Bill Harris

I'm new to the painting and buffing too. Can the base coat clear paint jobs be hand buffed?? How much harder would this be to do? Seems like one could be more careful this way, especially if it's a first time.

Thanks
Jeremy Smith

you can, but the longer the paint sits, the harder it will be to buff out, at the body shop we cut and buffed them the next day! usually used 1500 then buff with a wool type pad and finnish glaze with a foam one.

Jeremy, John VH is absolutely right. (John you must be a body man) that new catalysed clear gets as hard as a rock. Tried to hand buff years ago (in my younger days) and it took forever. Best to either do it with a machine or just "as it comes out of the gun".If you're shooting Imron, forget it. This stuff is none buffable (is that a word?). Good luck. Bill Harris

My only experience is with PPG 2021 clear. And as stated, the longer you let it go before buffing the harder it is.
I bought a small 4" Craftsman buffer (#10719) and used this after wet sanding with 2000. I found that buffing within 24 hours leaves a cloudy haze on the clear, so I waited 2 days then buffed. This buffer won't take away all the sanding scratches, however, you won't have much hand buffing to do. I spent about 3 weeks buffing my Bandit out, pain in the a55 yes, but the results are well worth it.
The best thing about this buffer is that you can't burn the clear with it, it's a random orbitol action.

I just picked up the 6" buffer at Walmart. It is the random action one and only cost 14.95. I picked up a foam bonnet for another 4 bucks.

I have PPG2021 on my stuff and some McGuires #5, and #9, and some 1000 and 2000 grit paper.

Can one of you buffs give me a blow by blow on how to make it perfect. For instance do I wet the buffing pads before putting the polishing compound on? Should I get some 1500 also? BTW this clear was shot months ago.

Thanks in advance.