Hand buff tips?, object: remove paint imperfections Options

[DHoops2000]

Hi 6gc owners,

I've only been exposed to this forum for a few days, so I hope its not too early to say that I think you guys are by far the nicest and most knowledgeable people around (especially when it comes to these pretty celicas). Therefore, I was hoping you guys would help me out with some tips on hand buffing my 1997 black celica GT.

THE PROBLEM: 6 months ago, I removed all the dents on my car and repainted it black. However, there are minor slight-noticeable paint drips around some areas of the car and tiny bumps that were resulted from dust particles falling on the paint before it was dry.

I'm hoping since I haven't had the time to buff the car yet, doing so will remove these imperfections and make it look nice for the summer time.

I don't have access to a buffer so I am planning to buff it by hand. But before I start, I wanted to ask a few questions and get you guys' opinion on the issue.

Do you guys believe that hand buffing (as opposed to taking it to a shop and have them machine buff it) will be sufficient enough to remove these imperfections? What kind of car polish would you recommend? (brand and type such as: abrasive paper/pad, compound, polish) I've also never done this before so any links or additional tips would be very very helpful.

Thank you guys in advance and I'm looking forward to your inputs.

[jason]

where abouts in pa are you? west, mid, east?

[DHoops2000]

where abouts in pa are you? west, mid, east?

I live next to Oxford Valley Mall in Langhorne, PA...northeast suburbs of Philly. I see you're near Reading, we're not too far away but we're not that close either.. :-\

This post has been edited by DHoops2000: Jun 25, 2007 - 11:03 PM

[CelicaST_CALI]

ok well,it depends on these "drops"us ppl n 6gc like picture .ANyway a machine buffer is made to clean and make the car nice and shiney not really to rmeove anything thats connected to the paint,Now by hand u can apply as much pressure as u need or as u dont need.I say in ur case hand in better than machine.(isnt it like that everywhere)

[bufferdan]

1500grit wet sand the particles in the paint... get a rotory buffer and buff it out with 3m compound or something similar.

[b1gr3d]

are you wanting to look like popeye? lol hand buffing a whole car is suicide. like bufferdan said: 1500 and i would go to 2000 and buff the car with a machine buffer, do NOT get a huge grinder and put a buffing pad on it because u will burn through. use 3m buffing compound with a wool pad then a foam pad with some polishing glaze. i have found that a smooth yellow pad works better than the egg crate style. it's a relatively spendy investment BUT after you do yours you can do your friends and neighbors for cash;) probably do 5 cars with 1 bottle of compund and 1 bottle of glaze

[tomazws]

Go to http://www.autopia.org, one of the first car detailing websites. There are **** load of tips on how to buff your car, polish your car, wax your car... they have short videos and tutorials on how to use the porter cable, the ultimate detailing machine, the rotory, etc... all kinds of neat things.