Factory Orange Peel, can this be removed?

[Anonu]

I`ve presonally never wetsanded for the purpose of removing orange peel. When I see it on OEM paint, it looks to me that it`s between the base coat and clear, not on the outer clear itself. Here`s an example of that I`m talking about:







Looking nearer the tail light, see can see the orange peel. This is a black metallic 2008 BMW.



So what you see in the photo, could you flatten the orange peel with wetsanding, or is is it part of the basecoat and therefore not removable given that it`s underneath the clear?



Thanks

[JohnKleven]

It`s not like you CAN`T remove it, but it will be a HUGE job. BMW clear is a real pain in the rear to polish out after sanding.

[Anonu]

So the orange peel is in fact on the outside of the clear? Seems to me that compounding/polishing would have had a greater affect than what`s been left behind here.

[RaskyR1]

So the orange peel is in fact on the outside of the clear? Seems to me that compounding/polishing would have had a greater affect than what`s been left behind here.

Compounding and polishing will not remove the orange peel, it would need to be wet sanded, but it`s not something I recommend doing on OEM paint. Sure it can be done, but doing so will remove valuable amounts of clear coat, leaving little UV protection behind, as well as very little clear for future corrections.



I also wouldn`t touch a job like that for under $2500.

[C. Charles Hahn]

Compounding and polishing will not remove the orange peel, it would need to be wet sanded, but it`s not something I recommend doing on OEM paint. Sure it can be done, but doing so will remove valuable amounts of clear coat, leaving little UV protection behind, as well as very little clear for future corrections.

Agreed. If I were doing a job like that on OE clear, application of Opti-Coat/Opti-Guard would be mandatory afterward.

[Legacy]

I agree, unless this is a show car, leave it alone.

[Anonu]

Good to know. I`m amazed to learn that this effect is actually th etop clear. I really thought you`d be able to feel it with your finger or with the baggie-method when it`s so easily visible to the eye.



Thanks, everyone.

[SVR]

You do not need to wet or dry sand the paint to remove the orange peel, you can polish it out. However you will need a rotary with the denim or velvet pads from malaysia.



still need to be cautious though

[Alfisti]

I saw your Youtube video removing orange peel. Very impressive. Can you elaborate on the process, pads and polish to use. Can another polish be substituted?

[togwt]

I would only wet-sand freshly painted or custom paint cars and strongly advise against wet-sanding OEM paint finishes as the paint is usually very thin, or wet-sanding any paint without first using a paint thickness gauge (PTG) to check the thickness of available clear coat.

[C. Charles Hahn]

You do not need to wet or dry sand the paint to remove the orange peel, you can polish it out. However you will need a rotary with the denim or velvet pads from malaysia.



still need to be cautious though

Even with going that route you`re still removing a lot of material to flatten the paint; it`s just a different approach to the same end result.

[RaskyR1]

Even with going that route you`re still removing a lot of material to flatten the paint; it`s just a different approach to the same end result.

...and more heat

[SVR]

Agree with you Hahn, the system wont give you 100%, maybe 97 to 99%

but unlike sanding you can see the peel reducing and the marring you have will be lighter than if you sand



but hey It doesnt mean you dont eliminate sanding at all

[SpoolinNoMore]

Another vote for "not worth it for OEM unless it`s a show car". From my understanding, orange peel is typically from uneven spraying of clearcoat (not keeping sprayer perpendicular with the surface). The sub-clearcoat imperfections would typically be runs in the paint.

[imported_WhyteWizard]

You do not need to wet or dry sand the paint to remove the orange peel, you can polish it out. However you will need a rotary with the denim or velvet pads from malaysia.



still need to be cautious though

Can you give us the link to your video please?



Robert