Cutting compound to remove lacquer overspray

lordrobs · 9 Sep 2007 at 19:22

Fixed up some lacquer peel around my front mud flaps today. Went pretty well and I'm pleased with how its turned out but I've got a touch of overspray which makes the surrounding paint look a little rough.

On the can it says wait 2 weeks then use a cutting compound.

What would you recommend to use? The safest one that will do the job would be good

I've got some 3M Perfect-It III fine but I'm guessing thats not going to be up to the job?

Thanks

Xez · 9 Sep 2007 at 20:33

Use some fine wet and dry (1200/1500 grit) to flat the lacquer this will also get rid of overspray (dont worry about wet and drying over the current lacquer it will t-cut back to normal). 2 Week is advised but 24 hours should be fine if you havent put it on too thick. t-cut will do. This will make it shiney.

BigglesPiP · 9 Sep 2007 at 20:33

I've used 3M's stuff before on a pink 155, it's hard work, but it's as good, if not better, than T-cut.

lordrobs · 9 Sep 2007 at 21:27

BigglesPiP said:
I've used 3M's stuff before on a pink 155, it's hard work, but it's as good, if not better, than T-cut.

Hmmm... I polished my whole car with the 3M stuff that I've got and it did quite a good job. Hologramed it up quite spectacularly too but my 3M Imperial hand glaze soon sorted that out. Not too sure its up to this job though although I guess it can't hurt to try.

I would wet and dry it but it was bad enough doing the flaky edges before spraying it. Having never done it before I honestly wasn't expecting the bodywork to go completely white, bum clenching moment right there

If I could use a compound to do it I'd feel much happier.

With regards to T-cut, I got on great with the original stuff on my mums car but T-Cut metallic seemed crap when I used it :confused:

Liverpool-Lad · 9 Sep 2007 at 22:21

BigglesPiP said:
I've used 3M's stuff before on a pink 155, it's hard work, but it's as good, if not better, than T-cut.

It would be hard not to be any worse really.

_-SIRUS-_ · 10 Sep 2007 at 08:08

try g3 farecla with washing up liquid
this will remove most overspray but be careful if used with a mop it can burn the paint work or go right thro

http://www.autojoy.co.uk/product.php?xProd=59

lordrobs · 10 Sep 2007 at 09:08

_-SIRUS-_ said:
try g3 farecla with washing up liquid
this will remove most overspray but be careful if used with a mop it can burn the paint work or go right thro

http://www.autojoy.co.uk/product.php?xProd=59

G3 thats the daddy I was trying to remember

Can I do it by hand? The area I need to do is quite small and its only quite light overspray.

_-SIRUS-_ · 10 Sep 2007 at 13:21

yes you can do it by hand or machine

danza · 10 Sep 2007 at 13:25

I've removed soft paint overspray with Isopropyl alcohol before with no damage to the paintwork/lacquer.

BigglesPiP · 10 Sep 2007 at 13:39

Liverpool-Lad said:
It would be hard not to be any worse really.

T-cut isn't "bad", it's just a weaker cutting compound, which in some cases is more suitable.

On that scale would Brasso be excellent?

lordrobs · 10 Sep 2007 at 13:40

Cheers guys, will give that a shot next weekend

Liverpool-Lad · 10 Sep 2007 at 13:51

BigglesPiP said:
T-cut isn't "bad", it's just a weaker cutting compound, which in some cases is more suitable.

On that scale would Brasso be excellent?

For your exhaust, maybe. I used to use it a lot and it worked fine. However there are better methods than T Cut as the abrasives dont break down to leave a proper finish.

Abyss · 10 Sep 2007 at 17:36

Try a decent claybar first, it's pretty damn good at removing overspray without any cutting whatsoever.

lordrobs · 10 Sep 2007 at 19:23

Abyss said:
Try a decent claybar first, it's pretty damn good at removing overspray without any cutting whatsoever.

I like your thinking and I'll give that a try next time

Well as I'm impatient and had some time on my hands this afternoon I thought I'd give it a shot with my 3M Perfect It. Now this stuff is about as abrasive as a babys bum cheek but with plenty of elbow grease and working it until it warmed up ever so slightly it seems to have done the job :cool: