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It was very windy (gusts to 30 mph) when I painted it so went with medium reducer so it would harden a bit quicker.
Still got some dirt in it but nothing that won't buff out.

Cut and buff process used on tailgate:

I like to use a hard block and 1000 grit to get the clear flat. There is a plastic framed squeegee, squirt bottle with soapy water, microfiber towel, oak hard block and just out of sight is a bucket with clean water with sandpaper soaking in it.


I start with the 1000 grit and oak block and begin at one end of the tailgate. The idea is to get every square inch sanded flat removing and dirt specs, hair, etc.

Here you can see some dirt specks. I try to stay away from the edges with the 1000 grit.


It doesn't take a lot of pressure on the block just consistency. Remember to clean your surface regularly and keep it lubricated with the soapy water. If you dislodge a piece of dirt and get it under your sanding block, you will be hating it in short order.


Once the clear is flat you need to move to 1500 grit on a soft block to remove the 1000 grit scratches. I intend to use guide coat on the next panel I do in order to be sure all the 1000 grit scratches are gone. You can see the first foot or so has been sanded with 1500.


Moving on to the 2000 grit. It is tough to see your progress with these finer grits. One tip is to use solvent based wax and grease remover. Squirt it on and wipe it off with a blue shop towel and you will be able to see if there are still some deep scratches that need attention.


Here's a color shot after buffing:


Reflections:

Your work is fantastic...

Looks fantastic, and thanks Jim for this thread - it's a tutorial in itself for how to do a project the right way.

Thanks guys. I can show you every flaw in these panels even if no one else can see them. LOL

Here's the hood:

I should mention that this is Tamco Euro Clear HC-2104.
Still tweaking my application but liking this clear a lot.

chris wrote:Looks fantastic, and thanks Jim for this thread - it's a tutorial in itself for how to do a project the right way.

+1 ....great thread
I haven't visited the forum for ages & was wrapped to see the progress you have made. I can't wait to see the finished product

Perfect reflections.

I see these guys posting pictures of freshly cleared cars with comments like "Mirror finish straight off the gun!!!" They are super glossy, yes. But the reflections are all wavy or you can see the orange peel in a cell phone picture from 10 feet away.

They need to see the pictures of this job so they know what they should be trying to achieve.

Photos updated, I'm done with Photobucket.

'68 Coronet R/T wrote:Photos updated, I'm done with Photobucket.

Using a third party image host sucks. I host my own sites and never run into issues. That is where I am posting my Jaguar restoration.
http://johnnyjag.com/PhotoGallery/

I can then link to my own images in different sizes such as...



FANTASTIC paint finishing too btw. Not mine. Yours!