OK, so Basil has some pretty nasty sandblast damage on his face. Makes him kinda shy about getting his picture taken. Repainting is not in the cards (or budget) for the time being, so any suggestions for temporarily hiding his road rash? Anyone tried the Touchup 123 system for advanced facial rash?
I'm thinking a light wetsanding to knock down the high spots, followed by buffing with super-fine compound to kill the haze, then the magic touchup stuff. But I've been wrong before, so any help would be appreciated!

 

Background info: My previous car was a Camry and it's now going to be used by our 16-yr-old twin boys. In the beginning, I kept meticulous care of the paint, etc.

Well, now there are plenty of paint chips (some were hastily repaired & look like a bad manicure!), it hasn't been waxed in almost two years, it the paint is looking a bit dull.

We've already wet-sanded all the paintchips and added the primer via toothpick method. Each day afterschool we'll be adding a layer of touchup paint also via the toothpick method. We're going to wetsand the entire hood and I'm guessing that we'll be able to add clearcoat to the entire hood this weekend.

I need to get under the hood and see if it will be easy to remove the hood or if it will be easier to simply cover everything except the hood with plastic sheeting and painters' tape and just spray the clearcoat while the hood is still attached.

Perhaps clearcoating the entire hood is overkill, but we haven't reached that point yet, so if someone has a better idea, I'm willing to listen & learn.

BTW, the clearcoat used will be automotive clearcoat that comes in an aerosol can. I already know about starting/ending the spray pattern "off" the object and using light coats and I'm actually curious to see how it holds up. The garage will be relatively warm and I have access to electric heat sources to help "set" the clearcoat.

I've used this method on 1:24 and 1:64 diecast cars, so it will be interesting to see how it works on the Camry.

 

How about a complete graphic treatment for the front end. Think of it as a not so invisable clear bra treatment, it would cast a whole lot less them paint.

 

i think clearcoat with the hood on the car will be fine as long as the
aerosol can can dispense an even flow.... you may have a bigger
problem then masking If the can pressure not holding up after a few
passes...then the spray will turn into blobs.

from my experience painting aero parts (lip spoilers, side skits, little grill
pieces, etc) the clearcoat is a very tricky step, meaning you will need
to spray a pretty rich coat almost to the point of it dripping, but not.

ive tried light coats but it turned out too cloudy even at 75F 65%RH.

 

I have one of those adapters for aerosol cans that eliminates having to use your index finger to press the button on the top of the can...the trigger action of the adapter is similar to the spray attachment on a garden hose.

 

but that does not help with the dropping pressure inside the can...

 

Whoa! Wait a minute here...
How do 4 of the last 5 posts have anything to do with the original post?
If you have a question, post a thread. Please do not blatantly hijack someone else's.

 

^^^

there's your help.

 

I'm sorry, but if you're accusing me of hijacking your thread, I suggest that you go back and re-read my original post in reply to your post. I described the process that I'm using to fix numerous pits/paint chips and I thought it perhaps might be somewhat helpful.

Now, it's been a VERY long day for me and maybe you're referring to someone else; if that's the case, please disregard this message.

 

My fault for not being clear enough. I'm not talking about a few rock chips, but rather thousands upon thousands of tiny sand pits in the clearcoat. Looks almost "frosted" in places. Ahhh...life in the desert! And the windy season hasn't hit yet.

 

^^ you mentioned no painting.... but to do it right from here, i would
still get the bumper repainted professionally then have clearbra installed.

 

Please forgive me for my short fuse last night.

Perhaps as Kenchan suggested, a professional repainting and using a Clearbra, as well as car cover during the day if not in a parking garage?