DA polisher/cutting pad to level touchup paint

[STRIFE]

My wife's Mazda MPV painted bumper has a spot where the paint was scratched off when someone swiped it in a parking lot.
I applied touch up paint but unfortunately the scratch is the size of a quarter....you can tell there was damage there as the painted spot does not look smooth.

I was thinking can I use my DA with a cutting pad to flatten and smooth out the paint once it's cured? Or do I need to get some wet sanding going then clean up with my DA?

[greg0303]

Re: DA polisher/cutting pad to level touchup paint

Sandpaper would make this job easier. You could do it gently with 3,000 grit (either wet or damp sanding) and remove sanding marks/ restore gloss.

[Murr1525]

Re: DA polisher/cutting pad to level touchup paint

Sandpaper...

[STRIFE]

Re: DA polisher/cutting pad to level touchup paint

Ok, so apply the paint via brush, let dry then straight to 3000grit. I was thinking 1000 or 1500 then to 2000...then 3000.
Then clean up with my DA.
Then repeat process with clear coat??
I am debating on what to buy 3" Unigrit sanding discs, or the Unigrit sheets Meguiars sells or the parent company's 3M Wetordry sheets...advice ?

[greg0303]

Re: DA polisher/cutting pad to level touchup paint

You'll be working on a small area so any kind of sanding media is good: paper, block or disc. On bigger areas I like damp-sanding, turning my G110v2 into sander (speed 3-4). Some people use toothpicks to apply the paint/ clear from correction kit for better control.

The process you described above is correct: apply paint, let it dry, sand, apply clear, let it dry, sand, polish. If you feel like 3,000 grit is slow you could step up to more aggressive media, like 2,000. I don't think you'll need 1,000 or 1,500 on such small area.

[STRIFE]

Re: DA polisher/cutting pad to level touchup paint

OK, thanks Greg.......just ordered some 3" Unigrit sanding discs from ADS

[Detailing by M]

Re: DA polisher/cutting pad to level touchup paint

Get a Uni Block. nice and flat.
I start with 800 and work up from there.
After sanding, you can get those sanding marks out with a DA and Micro Fiber Disks. They have almost the same amout of cutting action as a Wool pad.