How to Remove Orange Peel Paint

Orange peel occurs when paint is applied over an area with oil on the surface. Something as small as a fingerprint can leave enough oil on the surface to show up as orange peel in a completed paint job. Orange peel is hard to detect until the paint has completely dried, which makes it difficult to remove. It is possible to remove orange peel paint without repainting the entire area.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sandpaper (600, 900 and 1200 grit)
• Water
• Liquid rubbing compound
• Dual action orbital polisher

1. Park the car in the sunlight, which makes orange peel easier to detect. Orange peel looks like it is deep in the paint and appears to have a dimpled surface, like the peel of an orange.

2. Use 600 grit sandpaper and water to carefully sand the orange peel. Keep the sandpaper soaking wet while sanding so sand buildup doesn't occur and scratch the paint. The sanded area will look dull and cloudy.

3. Sand the orange peel areas again with 900 grit sandpaper, keeping the paper wet again. Sand until there is no more orange peel present.

4. Repeat the sanding steps, but use 1200 grit sandpaper, which removes scratches made by the other sandpaper. This is the final sanding step, so make sure the areas are smooth and no orange peel can be seen. The sanded surface will look dull and cloudy.

5. Rinse the areas that have been sanded and dry the car completely. The car can now be parked in the shade for the remaining steps.

6. Apply liquid rubbing compound to the polishing pad and begin polishing the dull areas on the car. Polish until the areas shine. The entire car can be polished at this point for a smooth, even look. The polishing pad may need to be changed once if polishing the entire car.

7. Use a clean buffing pad to remove the dried compound from the car. This leaves a deep gloss on the car.

Tips & Warnings

• Sand lightly. Sanding too much in one area can burn through the clear coat and into the base paint. This means the paint must be sanded down and repainted.

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[rwc120]

on 10/8/2009 Good info. Thanks