How can I get my new paint to be shiny like the rest of my car?

Question

Hello. Due to some scratches on my front and rear bumper, I've decided to do a paint job on my car. I've prepped it by sanding it and priming the areas, painting it with the base color, and clear coated it as well. However, it's not as shiny as the rest of the car; I thought the same shine would be achieved by the use of clear coat, but it seemed it didn't work. Does anybody know what I can do to get it as shiny as the rest of the car?

Ok. So I tried everything you guys said, and it's still dull! I wet sanded it, 1000, 1500, 2000 grit. Then buffed it out with a polishing compound. Then I used a polishing cloth hoping that the shine would reveal, but nothing! lol I don't know what happened. Was it something I did wrong? Well I found this tutorial, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdHofsKFVmk on how to do it. But the thing is, I already put the Polishing Compound and this video talks about putting Rubbing Compound. Is there a way to get rid of that layer of Polishing Compound and put on the Rubbing Compound? Thanks.

Answer 1

Color sand and buff. Use a 1500-2000 grit sandpaper, and wet sand it. Then use a buffer with rubbing compound. Be very careful when buffing plastic bumpers, it is very easy to buff through the paint. Use a light touch, and keep the buffer moving. After buffing, use a poilshing compound, and polish where you buffed. Then wash and wax.

Answer 2

i am an ase certified collision repair tech., first off you should prime the entire area to be painted 3 times then sand it with 400 grit, till all is smooth, if nessacary repeat until smooth to the touch. then put 3 coats of base you want on it, if you get runs wet sand it with 400 grit sandpaper to get the run out make sure everything is all smooth again, after you get the base applied accordlingly put 3-5 coats of clear coat (the more expensive the better it will shine) then let dry 3 days before washing or buffing to ensure drying and sealing, after thats done if it still liiks dull take 2000 grit sandpaper and wet sand it you will feel the difference, then buff it with a polishing compound. hope this helped

Answer 3

Do you know how to wet sand with 600 to 1500 grit paper then use a machine polisher to attain the high luster you want? Machine polish is like sanding with ever fineness polishing compounds.

Answer 4

Buff it