Technical Question for the Pros - Sanding for Paint Prep - High Spots

Because almost no one will pay what it costs to get a true show car finish.

 

If you see a friendly car (it waves at you), it’s because they didn’t use a long enough block. And with blocks, you need to learn long even strokes.

 

Haha! I’m sure there are plenty who pay lots and still don’t get a mirror like finish. I need to know how to get that type of finish though.

 

"Lots" is a very subjective scale and most have no idea whatsoever what a true show car paint jobs costs or the work involved. A true show quality paint job probably has 300-400 hrs in it before paint is even sprayed add a couple of days for that and probably close to $10K worth of materials these day then 50-100 hours to cut and buff it afterwards all at a shop rate of around $100/hr. How many people do you think are paying for that?

 

Shrinkage?

 

Mirror like is EZ
Just do proper metal work
Proper body work
Proper primer blocking and sanding
Proper paint application
Proper color sanding and buffing

 

Never judge a paint job on how it looks without seeing the bill first

 

Agree, but then why do I see guys then cover it all up with filler?

 

Filler is anything that levels the surface
Primer, lead, plastic fantastic
They all do the same thing.
from high end coach built rides to daily beaters.
I’ve done repairs that didn’t get any “bondo” but it did get blocked with a filler primer.
A skim coat isn’t an indication of bad body work.
Look down the side of many new cars. Especially a new ford truck. That ride would need a good bit of body work to become “show” worthy.
I’ve done work for a manufacturer. We painted several of their show and press vehicles. Brand new bodies with zero miles. They got body worked from head to taillight.
“Show” straight is up and beyond what the factory did.
Another factor is cost. The amount of labor to remove a skim coat of filler can triple the metal labor.