After more research and talking to a few LONG time paint people rom back in the day that now do consulting and seminars all over the country I am going to roll the dice and try exactly that. Scuff and re-shoot the clear. If that doesn't work out I'm no worse off ( maybe a little) than I am now.
Now the question is do I try a minimal wet sand and buff to get through the season, leave it as it's not going to the Oakland roadster show LOL, or leave it until fall.
I am likely the only person that will notice it, especially outside. My nature is to do it and be done, my common sense says leave it till fall and I'll have more time if it screws up. We'll see which side of my Polish brain wins.. I'll keep you posted and thanks again for the help

TJP440 wrote:I have a garage queen (38 Ford, 340-6 pack) that I painted ~40 years ago with R-M's primer, Alpha-Cryl Acrylic Lacquer base and clearcoat.
I re-shot two panels using paint that was mixed at the same time. The panels were done at two separate times about 5 years apart.
These two panels have had a tendency to show signs of the orange peel or something similar reappearing every 3-5 years. The condition is most prominent on the hood (engine heat?), but also on the other panel (RR fender). Again, they were re-shot at different times ~ 5 years apart.
The condition will readily wet sand out, buff, and all is well for 3-5 years. The rest of the paint has done well.
My concern is with the repeated wet sanding's. I'm eventually going to bust through clear. Being an iridescent/metallic I really don't want to do that
Everything was done under the same conditions, spray gun, pressures, filters etc. so I'm puzzled If I recall I did 5 coats of base and 7 or the clear as the orange peel was a bit prominent and my thinking was I'd likely sand off two coats.

I am looking for thoughts as to what might have caused the problem but more so on how to proceed.
My thought is to use a wax and grease remover, a real light scuffing if necessary, shoot a panel with straight thinner to soften the topcoat, and then reshoot with 3-4 coats of clear.

Any thoughts? And TIA :beer:

Based on the information you provided, it seems like the recurring orange peel issue on the two panels could be attributed to a few factors:

Uneven application: If the orange peel is only appearing on specific panels, it's possible that there was some inconsistency in the application of the paint or clearcoat on those areas. Factors such as spraying technique, gun settings, or environmental conditions during application could have contributed to this.

Heat and environmental factors: You mentioned that the orange peel is most prominent on the hood, which could be related to engine heat affecting the paint. High temperatures can impact the drying and curing process, potentially leading to texture issues like orange peel. Additionally, exposure to sunlight, humidity, or other environmental factors over time can affect the appearance of the paint.

Considering your concern about wet sanding and potentially compromising the clearcoat, here are a few suggestions to proceed:

Thorough cleaning: Start by using a wax and grease remover to ensure the surface is clean and free of any contaminants. This will help you achieve better adhesion for the new clearcoat.

Light scuffing: If necessary, you can lightly scuff the affected areas with fine-grit sandpaper (e.g., 1000-1500 grit) to create some tooth for the new clearcoat to adhere to. Be cautious not to sand too aggressively to avoid damaging the basecoat.

Soften the existing clearcoat: Applying a small amount of thinner to the surface can help soften the existing clearcoat and promote better integration with the new clearcoat. However, be careful not to use too much thinner, as it can potentially damage the underlying layers.

Reapply clearcoat: Apply 3-4 coats of clearcoat to the affected panels, ensuring that you follow the manufacturer's instructions for application and drying times. Applying multiple thin coats will reduce the chances of orange peel and provide a smoother finish.

Consider professional assistance: If you're uncertain about the process or want to ensure the best results, you might want to consult with a professional auto body shop or paint specialist who can provide specific advice based on the condition of your vehicle and the paint used.