My First Wetsand!

So my mom drives around a Chevy Equinox, and yesterday I noticed she had two pretty decent scratches on her rear passenger door. I felt them to see how deep they were and indeed my fingernail caught them. I thought I might be able to compound them out, but decided since my nail caught, to go straight to wetsanding. Since this was the first time I've ever done this, I got some help from forum members Asphalt Rocket and Loudog. I used 2000 grit 3M wetsand paper. Now on to the pictures:

Here I taped off the section I wanted to sand down so that I wouldn't scratch the surrounding paint making more work for myself later on. You can really see how deep the scratch was:



This is what I was left with after:


In order to bring the paint back to it's original gloss, I brought out Menz SIP/Nano along with my PC and an orange, white, and blue 4" LC CCS pads:


After the polishing, these were the results I achieved:



What looks like scratches at the bottom of the section is actually my camera cord hanging down. PC was used at speed 6. All in all, I am very pleased with the results I achieved. Like I said, this was my first time ever attempting this, and I was able to achieve 100% correction. I looked from every possible angle and there was nothing left. I'm open to comments or suggestions as I'd really like to get good at wetsanding because I feel it's an important tool in any detailer's arsenal. Thanks!!!

 

awesome job!!! What grit papers did you use??

 

Just 2000 grit. I used a mixture of soap and water as well. I went back and forth a little bit at a time, then would wipe off to see what I was left with. I did this sand, wipe method until the scratch was gone. As you can probably tell, I was a bit timid haha.

 

Looks great Josh!

 

Thanks Denzil .

 

great work!

 

Thank you Lifestyle!

 

Good for you...we all have to take the leap of faith in our own abilities at one time!! (I remember when Nica tried it the first time on the AG board. And now look at him!) Congrats!

 

I appreciate that Richy. It was a great learning experience, and I can't wait to try it out again. I just need some 3000 grit sandpaper now.

 

Josh, outstanding job. The scratches are just...gone!

I haven't done a lot of wetsanding, but man, the first time I tried it, I was pretty worried that I'd just ruin something.

 

I was the same way. I was pushing down ever so slightly I was so nervous haha. I felt more comfortable after the first polish of SIP haha. Then I knew the wetsanding marks were gone.

 

Great job Josh, glad to see that it worked out for you.

 

Thanks Dana. Everything works out when you get help from the right people .

 

Truer words have never been spoken.

 

You are welcome ,I enjoy helping those that want to do something the correct way. Once again you did a great job.

 

Ah..another student I assume haha.

 

Great job on the scratch removed Josh, Great save by Dana helping you out and your work shows it!. I got a few sheets for you of 3000 grit.:applause:

 

Thanks Angelo. As soon as these water restrictions are up, I'm coming out there. I'm trying to get a rotary out of my parents funds before they kick me out haha.

 

Good job Josh. It is always scary the first time.

 

You're telling me. I want to get a sanding block though for next time.