06 Black SLK Wet Sand

Ron Harris

Ron Harris

New member
I don't post many pictures here. Not my thing. These looked so extreme I thought I would share.



I have a shop I lease from a Body Shop for a great price. They provide me with a lot of work.

Wet sanding, compounding, polishing, details, headlight restoration and PDR.



The SLK in the pictures had the left front fender replaced and the door worked.

Some how the doors finish ended up with a dry looking finish.



Products and tools used.



3M 2000 grit paper with foam sanding block

Makita Rotary

Optimum Hyper Compound w LC new CCS pad orange 1500rpm

Optimum Polish w LC new CCS pad white 1500rpm

Poli-seal with the Dynabraid attachment for the rotary (dual action) w white American buffing pad 100ppi



I would not recommend doing this to a factory finish.

















 
The pictures didn't show it but the refinish looks better then factory. The rear quarter had a little more orange peel. I usually try to not let this happen however it was not possible due to the texture of the refinish.



Thank you for the complement.
 
Excelent Ron. Undoubtably you are among the elite of the elite of professional detailers!



Yeah, you can see almost no orange peel on the repaint...without a doubt I'm sure it looks better than the factory paint.
 
And I'm with you on the picture thing...I've been trying to post a few lately because potential customers have been asking to see some, but I don't even own a real camera yet (phone only).
 
How did you get in the car to move it without a door handle!?! haha jk. Nice job. Whenever I wetsand im so damn nervous doing so. VERY dangerous trade to perform. Seems like you did an excellent job though!
 
Great Job! Flawless!



I wet sand 1-2 late model BMW's per week and know what a chore that is. The shop owner bought a SnapOn orbital air sander and we use the 3M Trizact 3000 grit pads. It makes for smooth, consistent sanding and compounding is somewhat easier.



Totoland Mach
 
Nice work Ron! Not too many can do wetsanding and do it correctly. It takes skill and talent. I was taught by an old world Italian finisher of both auto and wood laquer paints. Damn, if he wasn't one of the best. He knew exactly the ways of finishing. It was an honor and privilage to work with him. He taught me on all types of paints and finishes. Everything from crap jobs to Ferarri. He had a relationship with Chinetti Ferrari long ago in Greenwich, CT. Some of the most unique and expensive "F" cars were there.



It was with great pain and sorrow I attended his funeral and carried him to his final resting place. It was from then I continuted his legacy in paint correction.



I've used papers down to 12K grit from a mfg that is used mostly for high-end wood laquer finishes. More work, but depending on the clear coat, it's a stunning effect.



With the OC and OP, this will produce the same result which shows on the final panel! :xyxthumbs



Never tried the Optimum line as I mostly have Menzerna, but it does show how well it works with the right pad, tool and talent.:bow



Black finishes are always a PITA and is the defacto standard on how to judge ones work.



Nice to have a shop space with the added benifit of customer work from them as well.



When I took delivery of my car, I dropped off a 32oz bottle of Menzerna for the crew to play with prior to my car. These are very talented and highly trained/skilled detailers. They were mostly weened on 3M, so getting them used to Menzerna too a bit of time. But once they got more trained with it, they were stunned.



My car arrived, they did the work, and the entire dealership were just shocked on how well it looked. No LSP was done due to film being installed. The crew is now hooked on Menzerna. Only problem is obtaining more P085RD. I only have a few 32oz bottle left from a case.



I may have to try the OP one day. Seems quite well suited for fine finishes.



Ron, you did a fantastic job and I can only hope the customer was as pleased with it. Now watch, the customer will want all the ornage peel done. After that panel, I sure as hell would want it!



Keep up the great work!!:xyxthumbs



Regards,

Deanski
 
That first pic can kind of scare you a little, especially if you're the owner imagine. The end result looks awsome though, good work :xyxthumbs.
 
Thank you for the nice words guys.:thx



Rag, I don’t think I am one of the elite. Just average



35th le, find some old Junker to practice on. Trust me its not that hard.



Toto land Mach, I could not even begin to count the # of BMW's I have done for this body shop and other customers. I love working on them. The Mercedes have just started to roll in in the last couple of months. It's a new account for the body shop.

The trisect paper is something I am considering. They say dry sanding is less abrasive to the paint. The paper is so expensive.



Dean ski, Sorry to here about your mentor and friend.

The Menzerna line is a great product line. If Optimum was not availed or had never been produced I would be buying products by the case from them. Optimum suits my style well.



I had a guy return a Tailgate for his F150. He was not happy with it. He said it didn’t have enough orange peel.
 
Deanski said:
I've used papers down to 12K grit from a mfg that is used mostly for high-end wood laquer finishes.
Click to expand...

Deanski, would that be Micro Mesh? Or someone else? If someone else would you mind, please, telling me who are they?



Thank you in advance!
 
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