Paint Question

[Drdogface]

Went by the shop today where my SC is being painted. Finally saw the body with color on it...just out of the paint booth yesterday. Color looks very nice but noted that it is 'orange peeled' nearly all over. Asked the guy about it and he said it has to be 'color sanded' and rubbed out yet. Yes, it does have clear coat on it.

Is this right? Do paint jobs look orange peel all over and then need to be rubbed out when first out of the booth? Surely I'll give them a chance to finish up but just curious about this. If it remains, is there a way to get rid of that effect short of repaint? Just trying to anticipate here.

Just FYI, this shop is the one that does almost all the classic/custom cars in the Grass Valley area so they have a good reputation.

Just a nervous daddy, I guess....

[J Smith]

Not uncommon at all for some orange peel after the paint booth. I had some panels painted this winter (bumpers, door, hood...) and the body shop gave them back to me looking a bit orange peely. He told me to mount everything back onto the car, and then bring it back so it can be sanded/buffed. He told me I would only screw up the nice smooth paint messing with the panels while mounting them.

Got it back today...smooth as glass.

[CarreraCab]

Hello Mark, Yes, your paint job sounds about right, but for a high-end shop a painter should be able to control the flow out a little better than that. Don't worry, it should look as flat as glass after color sanding, and the rub out. Be very picky when you go to pick the car up, a lot of "production" shops get a little lazy on the color sanding and don't address hard to finish areas, and leave a noticable amount of orange peel in those areas. I don't know your color, but it should be obvious if they rub-thru the clear coat. Be particular, and tell us how it looks when you pick it up Doug

[Drdogface]

Thanks guys....I was/am a bit concerned but have not really been this route before. Not really a production shop...more of a local body place specializing in classics on restorations, etc. That's why I picked them...plus rec's of course.

Color is almost a Fly Yellow...more a pure yellow w/o any red undertones. Should look nice with powder coated black trim pieces and new rubber all around. If you have seen the Fly Yellow RS America on their web page...recently for sale...it's almost that look.

[BillyIdaho]

No worries...I painted my 911 myself, in my garage. Bright yellow, too, in fact.

The paint, before sanding, was a texture not too unlike "Rhino Liner" truck bed coating. It's smooth as a prom queens thighs now.

Orange peel would be a snap to smooth out, trust me!

[DavidI]

Mark, orange peel is normal until it is color sanded. Color sanding and buffing (not considering prep work) is what separates good paint jobs from beautiful ones. It is truly an art to watch someone who knows how to color sand properly.

Post some pics when you get it back! Make sure you take them in the sun, preferably when the sun is setting.

David

[notmytarga]

I'll beat Thom to posting this helpful link to his site:

http://vintagebus.com/howto/colorsand/index.html

Color sanding is the labor of love in a good paint job.