Orange Peel removal on 09 JeeP SRT8

[4u2nvinmtl]

also picked up the velvet pads as well.

I heard from another Jeep SRT8 member who is coincidentally doing his also, and he said that velvet pads are way better than the denim.

[4u2nvinmtl]

OP removal completed! Pictures coming soon as the snow melts so I can mount my summer tires/wheels (1 to 2 weeks more).

In the meantime I have started another thread for suggestions on my final polish / LSP. I did a test spot and didn`t come out how I wanted with M205, KAIO + 4 layers of SG.

[4u2nvinmtl]

I had my paint thickness checked today… Any guesses how thin?

For now I’ll here’s some pictures I took today after an intensive wash and interior detail.

FYI: I am still waiting for my polishing and finishing pads as well as my LSP (stuck at customs)

Pictures:




OP basically gone

[JSFM35X]

Customs? Where are you located?

[4u2nvinmtl]

Customs? Where are you located?

Montreal, Canada.

Normally I drive down and bring it across the border myself but this time it was a large order and I`d have to pay customs regardless, so I figured I`d save myself time and gas and just pay the $40 for international shipping to Canada (bad move).

[Accumulator]

I had my paint thickness checked today… Any guesses how thin?

Heh heh...[shoot], I wouldn`t even know how thick it was to start with!

Theoretically if you only knocked down the high-spots of the OP you didn`t really compromise it much, if any. Theoretically.

[4u2nvinmtl]

Without further ado here are the results from the paint thickness test (in microns):
- Hood 148-173
- Driver side front fender 132-212
- Drivers side front door (bottom) 200-280 (top) 265-303
- Drivers side back door 152-181
- Drivers side rear fender 154-180
- Passengers side front fender 212-320
- Passengers side front door 175-200
- Passengers side back door 166-200
- Passengers side back fender 154-185
- Back hatch 250-300
FYI: the detailing technician took 3-5 readings per panel

I started from the back and worked forward (hatch first then back fenders), and it`s apparent that as I got better I also took off less clear. I was really surprised about the hood as I did so many passes I thought it would be thinner (21-29 passes total on the hood and 9-12 passes for the other panels). The passenger door and the hatch had the least amount of passes (6-9 passes) as I was running out of pads (the denim pads fall apart fast).

Note: the back hatch was replaced and painted by a body shop, and my front passenger side fender was repaired and resprayed as well. The results show this as well as another spot or two I wasnt aware of (drivers door).

What`s a typical thickness for paint and at what thickness should I stop compounding/polishing (for future compounds/polishings)?

[RaysWay]

Without further ado here are the results from the paint thickness test (in microns):
- Hood 148-173
- Driver side front fender 132-212
- Drivers side front door (bottom) 200-280 (top) 265-303
- Drivers side back door 152-181
- Drivers side rear fender 154-180
- Passengers side front fender 212-320
- Passengers side front door 175-200
- Passengers side back door 166-200
- Passengers side back fender 154-185
- Back hatch 250-300
FYI: the detailing technician took 3-5 readings per panel

I started from the back and worked forward (hatch first then back fenders), and it`s apparent that as I got better I also took off less clear. I was really surprised about the hood as I did so many passes I thought it would be thinner (21-29 passes total on the hood and 9-12 passes for the other panels). The passenger door and the hatch had the least amount of passes (6-9 passes) as I was running out of pads (the denim pads fall apart fast).

Note: the back hatch was replaced and painted by a body shop, and my front passenger side fender was repaired and resprayed as well. The results show this as well as another spot or two I wasnt aware of (drivers door).

What`s a typical thickness for paint and at what thickness should I stop compounding/polishing (for future compounds/polishings)?

Very cool! Thanks for providing this data!

"Average" OEM thickness is 120-150. I would be weary of compounding below 100.

[Accumulator]

Vega@Autopia- I myself wouldn`t want to take a 120 panel down to 100, but yeah I`m awfully cautious about this stuff. On the Crown Vics I stop around 116.

4U2nvimtl- The repainted bits are always a wildcard. The *general rule* is that you can *ASSume* they used a lot of clear, but I myself disregard that as I`ve had unpleasant surprises.

[ihaveacamaro]

How much was in the doorjambs? That to me usually is critical. Either way though, does seem like a very safe amount of paint on the car still left

[MooreImpressive]

when you see the comments on amazing before and after shots, they are generally the same. "awesome job, great work, etc" I don`t know the words here, but this deserves something far better than that. insane <<---that`s a good start.

[The Driver]

Very cool! Thanks for providing this data!

"Average" OEM thickness is 120-150. I would be weary of compounding below 100.

Lol, not Audi.

[4u2nvinmtl]

How much was in the doorjambs?

Never thought to check the doorjambs or roof...

[ihaveacamaro]

Never thought to check the doorjambs or roof...

How are you estimating how much clear there is? All the PTG is doing is measuring total thickness of primer, base coat, and clear coat. I usually take door jamb reading as a way to get an estimated baseline of primer and base coat. Then subtract that number from your panel readings to get an approximate amount of clear coat.

[Accumulator]

How much was in the doorjambs? That to me usually is critical.

Just a FWIW-caveat, many of my vehicles had *vastly* different readings in doorjambs and other out-of-the-way places. Some vehicles weren`t even cleared there!

Never thought to check the doorjambs or roof...

The roof would be better IMO based on the above.