Perfect Paint: Tips, Tools, and Techniques to Achieve an Amazing Final Finish

PPN-0317-paintrefin-01A (1200x800)

Words Cam Benty / Photos Mark Oja/Cam Benty

So you’re hanging out at the car show and something catches your eye. It’s one of your favorite types of car, the suspension is set just right, and the cool color choice sets it ablaze.

But as you edge closer, not to be too judgmental, you see the attention to details is just a bit off. The paint contains huge swirl marks that seem to follow you as you walk around the sunlit panels. Sanding marks are evident on the lower edges near the fender lips. And worst of all, waving back at you from all sides are panels very far from arrow straight. Clearly, this was not what the owner was striving for.

In actuality, this is in part due to the huge amount of time required on prep and refinishing. Paint jobs are extremely expensive. A gallon can of high-quality, environmentally acceptable paint can cost as much as we used to pay for an entire paint job.

Back in the ’80s, I helped a friend with a small loan of $1,500. When he was unable to repay, he offered to paint my car. When the car returned two weeks later, I was pleased with the result. Today that same paint job would be valued at close to $8,000, and the fact is that kind of loan is way out of my comfort level!

The Art of Paint Refinishing

The Dynamic Mixing System from 3M, along with their Platinum Select Filler, make a perfect pairing. This system guarantees a consistent mixing of filler and hardener throughout the process.

The Dynamic Mixing System from 3M, along with their Platinum Select Filler, make a perfect pairing. This system guarantees a consistent mixing of filler and hardener throughout the process.

As mentioned, the paint job is the first thing you notice and key to your final perception. While the quality of paint available these days runs the gamut, it is all up to how the artisan manipulates those materials that makes all the difference.

For purposes of this story, we are working with 3M™, a signature name that has been in the paint business for many, many decades and offers a complete line of paint and refinishing products. Our usual partner in paint, Mark Oja of Marks Custom Rod Garage, was helpful enough to walk us through all of the tips and techniques shown here. Note this is not a full course in painting, but just knowing about these steps will help improve the final finish of your paint refinishing project. Remember, often you can spend about the same amount of time doing a bad job as a good one. It’s just knowing what to do and what to avoid.

One really hot tip: Check out 3Mcollision.com for some very clear and basic-to-pro paint tip videos. If you’ve never done this, we suggest you take a look and fully understand the process. If you’re a pro, well, we can all learn something, right?

Panel Surfacing

Prepping for primer

For those folks who have already reached the paint refinishing stage, well, this is not for you. But for those who are early in the process or just what to see how it is done correctly, this section deals with pre-primer prep. This is critical because it is where you make the body straight as an arrow and, ultimately, a car show knock out.

Note this section does not refer to standard bodywork. If you have real dents and damage, you will have to fix that before getting to this step. We are now dealing with clean metal or fiberglass areas. News flash: these parts are not arrow straight. They require help to become straight and also a proper covering to allow for the primer to stick correctly.

While the applicator gun shown here may look like it is used to kill aliens on the moon, in our case, it is just the latest and greatest way to mix filler. The 3M Dynamic Mixing System (DMS) features a series of dispensers housed inside a larger applicator. Powered by compressed air and topped by a clip-on nozzle (various sizes are available to control filler flow) that finalizes the mixing process, this is the best way yet to avoid having to mix batch after batch of filler in varying does of hardness. When you are doing an entire car, you get it.

The gun actually has a spiral system that is encased in the tip, and as the material is pressed out, it mixes the harder and the filler in exact amounts. As shown, after you prime the gun and the filler mixture is a uniform coloration, you are ready to go. It looks like a big machine, but it does a big job.

Panel Prep for Paint Steps

Follow these steps with regard to working the filler material, drying time, and sanding. These times are also noted on the Platinum Select Filler can.

– Cleaned all panel surfaces with 3M Inspection Spray and Perfect It Cloth.

– Mix 3M™ Platinum Select™ Filler with DMS Mixing System and apply to vehicle and cover panel with spreader, or apply right to spreader to cover surface.

– Apply the filler to the surface of the panel, working to make it as even as possible across the surface. This will not make up for bodywork issues, as it is not made to be left in a thick condition. Most of the filler material will be removed during sanding.

– Allow 4 minutes to spread filler on surface

– Allow 4 minutes – waiting time to set up

– Apply a Dry Guide coat to the surface to show effectiveness of sanding effort

– Allow 8 minutes to shape the surface, knocking down the highest points on the surface left by the spreader using 80-grit 3M™ Stikit Blue™ abrasive, using as long of a flat sanding block as possible. Work in crossing pattern, never across or with the grain of the filler material.

– Wait another 8 minutes for the area to completely dry.

  • Fully block sand with more 80-grit Stikit Blue abrasive using Dry Guide coat on the surface to make sure it is now even across the full surface.
  • Next, Block Sand with 150-grit 3M Stikit Blue abrasive, using cross sand technique. Don’t forget the Dry Guide coat

Drips, runs and dirt removal

For the experts, removal of paint-trapped dirt is called Denibbing. Regardless of where the paint, primer, and clear coat are applied, dirt is a given and can be deftly removed if you take care. One tool we found that does an amazing job is the Festool (PN 497525) Spot Scraper.

This amazing little 25x30mm tool will save huge headaches. Using the sharp sides of the tool, you can gently scrape away the bad “lumps” and leave a smooth surface. The string that allows you to grip the small piece of carbide steel also serves to elevate the rear of the tool, allowing it to bite at the critical angle. So, don’t cut it off; it is a much part of the tool as the carbide steel.

The Spot Scraper is also great for removing dust particles with the same ease. We noted it does take some talent to master the little device, but the results are well worth it.

Paint Polishing

One of the most misunderstood areas of refinishing is paint polishing — that simple operation where abrasives and buffing wheels lovingly contact sanded painted surface. As you may have guessed, 3M offers a complete system to achieve an amazing final finish. The key here is to use the complete system without inserting other products or polishes.

Follow the photos shown here outlining the steps involved in polishing, noting there is heavy use of the 3M Inspection Spray that is used to clean the surface of the panel between every operation. This is very important; you can inflict damage to your work through grinding debris into the paint. We all know that’s not good.

While it may seem like a very easy operation, it is super easy to burn through the paint with abrasives and buffers and end up starting over. Any panel edges that are in danger of possible high contact with the buffer should be covered with blue low residue masking tape and buffed by hand.

Also of interest in this story is that, due to the tight contours found in bodywork these days, 3M offers smaller Perfect-It™ Wool buffing wheels to avoid covering too much area at one time. These six-inch heads allows for more careful buffing and total buffer control. While the nine-inch buffer sizing is still available, the six-inch buffing wheels were demonstrated here.

And as for buffing being a messy operation, as you can see in the demonstration, it does not have to be sloppy. Use a medium amount of material, being conscious of the heat buildup in the panel. Before starting the buffing wheel, wipe the compound over the surface of the area being worked to make sure there are no areas left dry. This will also help control splatter.

Paint Polishing 

Steps to a Beautiful Finish.

Step #1

Sanding: 

Wet Block Sand using 1500 grit3M™ Trizact Hookit Foam abrasive

Clean: 

With 3M Inspection Spray and 3M Perfect-It Detailing Cloth

Step #2

Refine Sanding:

Dual Action (D/A) 3000-grit 3M™ Trizact Hookit Foam abrasive

Overlap: 50%  

(By this, we mean if you start sanding/buffing across a six-inch section of the panel, moving up and down in a crossing pattern, move up or down in three-inch “strips” so you are sanding 50 percent of the previous surface while touching 50 percent of a new area)

Clean: with 3M Inspection Spray and 3M Perfect-It Detailing Cloth

Step #3

Refined Sanding:

D/A 5000-grit 3M™ Trizact Hookit Foam abrasive

Clean: 

With 3M Inspection Spray and 3M Perfect-It Detailing Cloth

Step #4

Buffing Stage

Use Buffer, rotating at 1000 rpm and overheating the surface.  Keep buffer flush with the panel to avoid digging in . . . and don’t run out of compound.

Buffer Overlap: 

50%

Clean: 

With 3M Inspection Spray and 3M Perfect-It Detailing Cloth

How do I know when I’m done with this step?

Inspect with 3M Sun Gun:

If there are sanding scratches present, repeat this level. They will be fine, but with the Sun Gun, you can spot them.

Step #5

Buffing wheel: 

Black foam buffer to match cap on Polish bottle

Buffer Overlap: 

50%

How do I know when I’m done with this step?

Use the 3M Sun Gun after cleaning with inspection spray and look for swirls. If they are apparent, repeat the step.

Clean: 

With 3M Inspection Spray and 3M Perfect-It Detailing Cloth

Step #6

Swirl Elimination:

Use for dark-colored paints to achieve the best possible look.

Buffer:

1000 rpm — keep speed low to avoid heat and don’t run out of material. It’s like an engine running low to oil —not good.

Buffer Overlap:

50%

Material Used:

Use less Swirl Elimination material than with previous two buffing compounds. You don’t need much, but don’t run out.

How do I know when I’m done with this step?

Use the 3M Sun Gun after cleaning with inspection spray, and look for swirls. If they are apparent, repeat the step.

Clean:

With 3M Inspection Spray and 3M Perfect-It Detailing Cloth

Welding and Spark Deflection Paper

Protect Your Paint After Refinish

So, you need to weld an underhood bracket that has come loose and you know that once you fire up the welder, there’s a more than 50/50 chance that it will launch a spark right on that $10,000 paint job, more than ruining your whole day. Fear not — the 3M folks have come to your rescue.

3M’s Welding and Spark Deflection paper is perfect for the above scenario, but is also is great for protecting a painted surface when you are working on your vehicle and don’t happen to have anything that will stick to those highly polished fenders. Best of all, this amazing paper can be mounted at any angle, due to the self-adhesive backing.

While the paper is perfect to prevent damage from welding, it also works when grinding an area when flecks of metal and smaller sparks are created. Best of all, the paper simply peels from the surface of the paint, leaving no residue and without damage.

The 3M Welding and Spark Deflection Paper is available online and comes in rolls, making it easy to store and have on hand whenever the need arises. It cuts simply with a razor blade or scissors and can be shaped to fit.

Sources: 3M, 3Mcollision.com, Mark’s Custom Rod Garage, customrodgarage.com

About the author

PPN Editor

Power & Performance News is the source for news, tech and products that help you get more performance from your vehicle. If powertrain performance projects and hardcore technical content are your interest, Power & Performance News is the publication designed for you. Our acclaimed editorial staff covers all aspects of engine and driveline upgrades with a mission of presenting information that is both interesting and achievable for the “average car guy”.
Read My Articles

Hot Rods and Muscle Cars in your inbox.

Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from Street Muscle, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE!

Free WordPress Themes
Street Muscle NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

streetmusclemag

We'll send you the most interesting Street Muscle articles, news, car features, and videos every week.

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

Street Muscle NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

streetmusclemag

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...


fordmuscle
Classic Ford Performance
dragzine
Drag Racing
chevyhardcore
Classic Chevy Magazine

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...

  • fordmuscle Classic Ford Performance
  • dragzine Drag Racing
  • chevyhardcore Classic Chevy Magazine

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

streetmusclemag

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Loading