Hi,

My mini is a 64 850 in Porcelain Green. painted about 6 layers in acrylic acrylic lacquer, with no clear coat. It looks (and feels) very smooth but sometimes (when I parked in my garage) I can see swirls everywhere.

After I did some research, I am thinking to put a clear coat on the mini by visiting a local smash repair shop.

1st reason is that I want a very high gloss finish.

2nd is that I think this could remove the swirls

So, what I wanted to know is:
- if the clear could actually remove the swirls on the paint?
- if it doesn't remove them, do I atcually need to get the swirls away first before I apply the clear coat to achieve a mirror finish?
-Does clear coat give you a mirror finish better than just polishing and waxing alone?
-Does polish takes away paint layers, so that means you can't polish often?
-Can you wax often as wax is a protector ONLY.

As I know from what I researched/read, after the clear coat is applied, there would be some sort of "orange peel". Then the steps to achieve a mirror finsih would be as follows:

0) Apply clear coat (as mine doens't have it)
1) use 1500 grit wet sand to remove orange peel
2) machine polish with a cutting compound to remove the 1500 grit sanding scratches
3) machine polish (with ultra fine polish) again for a wet looking/mirror finish
4) wax/sealer to protect

So is clear coat the way to go and should I tell the guy at the shop to do steps 0 - 3 or 0 - 4 from above?

Any good people to recommend in Sydney to do this?

Correct me if I am wrong with anything, thanks.

_________________
1964 Morris Mini 850 - G13b gti powered - classic yet practical
1968 Morris Minimatic - 1100cc - classic & breakable
Sun Certified Java Programmer v5 310-055

Hi,

I would recomend that you get it polished. If you put Acrylic Clear on it you will end up with same result (swirls) after a while. Waste of $$.
I would stay away from applying 2 Pack Clear also becuse of the poor adhesion to Acrylic finishes.

Through my contacts I will try & find someone that will do a quality polish job for you.

Acrylic by nature is very easy to scratch every care should be taken (especially when washing) when looking after the surface.

Chris.

_________________
63 Morris Cooper.
UK Mini van.

hi im not good with the details of painting but this is my car after we finished the clear coat all arylic

_________________
Enjoy Chris

the swirls are eather from the sanding or the final polish.
Get the body shop to give it a good polish is a better idea and cheaper

_________________
Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

I agree don't mix acrylics and 2 packs. I had a car that had acrylic clear coats and after a few years it started to peel, not to mention that high pressure hoses and car washes were a definite no go.

_________________
1970 Mini Deluxe - 1275, Weber, Clive 346 cam, MS 4-pot slotted discs, Megajolt ignition Now with new improved Mambas... almost on the road
1966 Van with Traveller rear seat conversion
2008 Prado GXL
All in various states of repair...

Ben,

Don't mix acrylic and two pac, you will find in a few years time your paintwork will craze and the whole car will have to be re-done. Acrylic is soft and 2pac is very hard this will cause the carzing.

As far as having it MACHINE polished by a professional, make sure that they are aware it is acrylic and they do not burn through the paint.

Dan

Get it polished. Clear is an invention of the devil.

I reckon you could buy a lot of elbow grease for the cost of your clear coat.

All the elbow grease you saved with one of those magic cutting compounds and you would be in better shape.

Ahhhha since when did Mr Lucas invent clear coat and does it emit smoke when it breaks

_________________

Dont rubbish Lucas - it saved my car from being taken - if my electrics had worked who knows how far they would have got - I need a sticker - Car security by Lucas

_________________
Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

The swirls are actually in or on the acrylic coat, they may have been created by the person who sprayed the car and polished it after. All you really need is a good machine polish using a rotary polisher. I've sent you a PM with some details .

_________________

Better Still
Get yourself to the next avalible course...Its Free
http://www.vgautopaints.com.au/

_________________
Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

have you done the course Gaf?

_________________
Here am I sitting in my tin can far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do...



“A turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster.” - Jeremy Clarkson

Yes and I recomended it. Also a BBQ after but take your own Musted

_________________
Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It