A wet sanded 2006 GTO, your thoughts?

Dontsleeponit · #1 (**permalink**) 12-10-2007, 11:05 PM

As some of you may know, I have a Silver 2006 GTO. When I bought the car, I wasnt into detailing at all, but since then I have become obsessed like so many of us are...

Well Ive come to find out as time went on that the paint job on my car, and apparently many GMs, is not really the best. Tons of orange peel (like most makes though), off-color paint stains from improper shipping and uncured paint, and some spots are obviously light on paint and some spots are splotchy. Basically it suck, but ya gotta work with what you got I guess.

So, I cam across this thread on the GTO forum. A black 06 GTO, the owner wet sanded the car. It seems as though this was his first venture into the process, and from the many pictures he posted it appears to have come out pretty nice.

LS1GTO.com Forums - wet-sanding advice, please

My question to all of you is, how do you think this will effect the longevity of the car's clear coat/paint. Someone in that thread states wet sanding will take away on average 20% of the clear, with the majority done at high spots in the clear. Is this true?

Not that im really considering it at this point, but would any of you that havent done this before feel comfortable doing this on your < 10,000mi car? After some practice on some junkyard panels?

And lastly, have any of you ever worked on a GTO, have anything to tell me about the clear coat hardness, or thickness?

A pic of my car for orange peel reference...

ehuth1 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-10-2007, 11:31 PM

Went over and checked out your threads man. Nice work on the GTO. You've enlightened me on the wetsanding process and think I'm going to give it a try sometime in 08 on my personal truck 06 tacoma.

Thanks again.

Dontsleeponit · #3 (**permalink**) 12-10-2007, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehuth1

Went over and checked out your threads man. Nice work on the GTO. You've enlightened me on the wetsanding process and think I'm going to give it a try sometime in 08 on my personal truck 06 tacoma.

Thanks again.

wait do you think I'm the one who did the wetsanding? read my 1st post I just found that thread...

or am i mis understanding you?

Asphalt Rocket · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-2007, 11:50 PM

Gm paint is thin so I would try an area with 1500, then go over it with 2000. I did a 08 Tahoe and the paint was very thin. If you do try it, sand in a back and forth motion, do not cris cross, keep plenty of water going over the area where you are sanding. Also if you hear a squeak type noise that means there is dirt uner the paper, stop and clear area and restart. Also get a squegee so you can check your work area often. Also do not use fast strokes, go slow so in case dirt gets under the paper there is alot less to correct. If you have any other question just ask, I have wet sanded hundreds of vehicles, this is all I can think of at the moment.

ehuth1 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2007, 11:50 PM

oh well nevermind

.... good find though

Dontsleeponit · #6 (**permalink**) 12-11-2007, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asphalt Rocket

Gm paint is thin so I would try an area with 1500, then go over it with 2000. I did a 08 Tahoe and the paint was very thin. If you do try it, sand in a back and forth motion, do not cris cross, keep plenty of water going over the area where you are sanding. Also if you hear a squeak type noise that means there is dirt uner the paper, stop and clear area and restart. Also get a squegee so you can check your work area often. Also do not use fast strokes, go slow so in case dirt gets under the paper there is alot less to correct. If you have any other question just ask, I have wet sanded hundreds of vehicles, this is all I can think of at the moment.

Yea believe me If I were to do it, I would read everything I could about it, then practice on something else first. Thanks for the tips though.

Do you feel that the results will justify taking off that amount of clear coat? Will the car be hurting in the long run if I intend to keep the car for a long time?

I have a few bumper scrapes on my rear bumper I can play with touchup/wetsanding if I decide to try it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehuth1

oh well nevermind

.... good find though

its all good, I dont think I have the berries to go for this on my car just yet...

Did you think his results were good? I think I can see I substantial difference in the orange peel.

Asphalt Rocket · #7 (**permalink**) 12-11-2007, 12:12 AM

To me I dont think it is worth it, one mistake and you are going to have to get that area repainted. I have a slight scratch on my vette hood that should be wet sanded but the paint is to thin. I compounded and polished it to the point that I only know where it is. Will it make the vehicle look better, yes, if you plan on keeing the car for awhile I wouldnt want to remove that much clear becuase over time it does diminish from washing and polishing over time, plus if it gets scratched you do not have much to work with. With the couple of scratches try using 2000 grit and then compound, polish, lsp.