Scratched paint on roof

[Be30]

Hi,
Would like some advice on the terrible condition paint that is on the roof of my touring. The bonnet was also in a similar condition but I have resprayed it however I’m not brave enough to do the roof! Anything I could do to fix/ improve it? It is a Llachs silver and I have no idea how to paint on the roof got to be so bad.
The bonnet was bad as a tractor reversed over the front according to the previous owner!!

One other thing to note- the scratches are extremely fine but very “deep” in the paint and so regular polish doesn’t seem to work. Nothing is ever easy

[Moz]

Hi Be30

Can you feel the scratches when lightly passing a fingernail over them?

How much experience do you have with car body prep/paint correction?

Thanks

[Be30]

Hi Be30

Can you feel the scratches when lightly passing a fingernail over them?

How much experience do you have with car body prep/paint correction?

Thanks

Hi Moz,
Yes, they are just about feelable when running a fingernail over them. I have tried to T-cut but even with the smaller ones it doesn’t seem to make any difference :/

My experience with bodywork paint prep is limited to a front drivers wing which I completely resprayed myself from a rusty state and I’m currently doing the bonnet.
As for paint correction... I’ve never tried it!

That is a picture of the car with the wing I did myself attached- not too bad for a rattle can job but certainly not perfect!

Funds are very limited but I have plenty of time so I can always give something a go myself!
How would you recommend correcting the scratched and faded paint on the roof?
(Fingers crossed for not a respray...)

[Moz]

Wet sanding the clearcoat then polishing it back with a dual action will be the only way to improve/repair the issue you have.

Do you have any test panels not on the car you can practice on? I would never recommend anyone to go straight to wet sanding as it is a skill that takes time to hone. It will be pretty much impossible to correct that level of scratching by hand. A good dual action will be required to polish after any wet sanding.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 1836138638

Check out my thread in this same section with some wet sanding I did then polished the sanding scratches out. The scratches were nowhere near as significant as yours so only needed a light sand with P2000 then polished. If you can spend time practicing on test panels with a dual action, you may be able to fix.

Lots of YouTube videos out there on it too. As they are barely felt by a fingernail, I'm optimistic it can be sorted.

Let me know if you need any more help or info.

Thanks

[flybynite]

Can't help thinking that crazing is in the base coat underneath the lacquer. I have seen that when older 2-pack paint has been put on with no/not enough/wrong hardener or it has not been done at the right temperature. Looks good for a while then goes like that after a few months. Hard to tell from photos.

If it is then no amount of wet-sanding and/or polishing is going to sort it. It is also going to need to come off before any fresh paint goes over it as it looks a bit too bad for a coat of isolator.

[Be30]

The wet sanding sounds promising. I have done it once before in order to “knock back” the spraying I did on the wing in order to make it smoother and glossier.
I will give this a go on the roof as it seems like a good suggestion. It can only do good as it is a lot harder to get worse paintwork!!

Flybynite, I agree- some of the scratches seem to be completely impossible to feel and seem to be underneath the clear coat. I will try to get some better pics when I’m next with the car.
The fade will probably be something that will need a respray but I will certainly attempt to wet sand and then polish the scratches out at the weekend- I’ll let you know how it goes

[flybynite]

Just keep in mind you are wet sanding and polishing the clear coat. Once you go through to the paint you are done for anyway so go easy.

Polishing CAN be done with a DA (if it is made for it) but most go too fast with too small an orbit. Use a proper polisher with the right compound. Not difficult to get the hang of, again go easy.

[Moz]

As flybynite says, go easy and take your time. Start with a higher grade wet paper, P2000 and use very little pressure. Wash off, then polish with something like Menzerna 400 to see if there is an improvement. If you need to use a stronger grit, use P1000 then P1500 prior to polishing.

Thanks

[Be30]

Thanks so much you two- great advice. I have all of Sunday to take it easy so will let you both know how it goes. I’ll get hold of some proper polishing compound and will keep patient- as with everything else on the car!!
I’ll update with pics soon-
Be30

[Be30]

Well, only just got around to that wet sanding- can you tell which half has been done?
2 hours, some 3000 grit and paint restorer and it’s shining so much you can hardly see the scratches. The scratches are all still there so I’m guessing the paint has somehow cracked due to sun exposure or something. The shine covers them up well, thanks for the advice!

[Moz]

Great result that! Good job mate.