Flatting back and polishing up Enamel Paint on a Land Rover

[Woody3]

I'm in the final stages of restoring my Ninety.

The newly applied enamel paintwork has some orange peel which I'd like to polish out. Initially I was going to wet sand this with 2000 grit and finish with 3000 grit paper, however I've since discovered denim and velvet pads.

First question, enamel paint is relatively soft compared to 2k. Will the denim and velvet pads be too harsh? I know they are the equivalent of 2000 and 3000 grit respectively, so I'm thinking they should be okay?

Second question, I was hoping to use these with a DA, but have read that they should only be used with a rotary. I currently have neither, so was wondering which to invest in?

Third and final question, which compounds should I use?

[nickv]

It would depend on the grade of the demine or velvet pad

Normally you have to start with p1500 on a da sander to remove the peel

As higher grades wont cut the peel back

You then move on to p2000 then p3000 and if you pockets are reasonably deep you could finish of with p6000

This is then a nice easy compound polish job

Farecla G360 is a good compound

Rotary polisher is perfect i use one daily i dont like the DA polisher

But you will need a DA sander to colour sand, with a soft intermediate backing pad

When you say its an enamel paint do you mean like a transport paint like synthetic or polyuthrane

I would be a little wary of colour sanding such and try a small area first

Edited by nickv on Thursday 16th December 15:10

Edited by nickv on Thursday 16th December 15:12

[paintman]

As you've recently painted it I'm assuming that the paint supplier is still in business.

If you don't have the technical data sheets (TDS) for the paint you have used then speak to the paint supplier BEFORE you do anything else.

[julianm]

I think you need to be very careful - synthetic coach enamels are not really hard enough to take machine polishing in my experience - have a look here: https://coachpainting.uk/polishing.html
Looks a very smart Landrover just as it is!

[Woody3]

Thanks everyone.

That's an interesting page Julian. I think I will drop him a message before I start anything, but the more I read into it, the more I'm leaning away from using a machine.

I've got a scrap wing that I tested my spraying technique on, so I'm going to use this as my practice panel. I will start off with the cheapest option first which is wet and dry - going from 2000grit and finish off with 3000grit. I will report back with the results!

[TVRS2Guy]

Sorry to drag up an old thread..

OP how did you get on with flatting and polishing your enamel paint?

I’ve just sprayed my Defender 90 with enamel coach paint and want to flat back some imperfections in the paint.

Keen to learn how you got on.

Cheers

Guy