Flat to gloss transformation
 

Hey everyone. I know I dont post much here, i mostly read stuff. I thought id share this in case anyone wanted to do it themselves. Any beginner can do this but it requires a lot of labor.

I originally started with a flat black using Rustoleum protective enamel. I did about 1.5 - 2 coats on the entire car which was $30 in spray paint. I really liked it and it was a cheap solution to covering up the old scratched up paint. I thought of gloss but spent a lot of money on trial an error and all I got were fish eyes blushing etc. Flat is just plain easier to paint with for some reason. After about a month I missed my gloss and came up with a way to get it gloss for virtually nothing. $10 in fine grit sand paper (1000, 2000, and 3000 grit) and $10 in wax. In total $50...I just finished it today and it took me about 4 days and man does my shoulder hurt!

I did a panel at a time (eg front quarter, door, bumper, etc.) using 1000 grit first to smooth out the flat, then 2000 to remove those scratches and finally 3000 to get it smooth enough to shine. Then to get rid of the dull from the 3000 I polished it. I had to do some parts a couple times with 3000. Its the most important stage for getting it really shiny.

It turned out to be a really cool graphite color. You cant see it in the picture but its more of a pearlescent finish than a gloss...im very satisfied.

The first picture is what it looked like when I got it from the previous owner minus the rims. They kept the rims. The owner prior was a member here Adam. The second picture is what it looked like flat and then various pictures as I went through the process.

http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/...5773354210.jpg

http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/...8/IMG_1758.jpg

Making progress:

http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/...8/IMG_1774.jpg

http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/...8/IMG_1783.jpg

http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/...8/IMG_1791.jpg

http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/...8/IMG_1814.jpg

And the finished product:

http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/...8/IMG_1824.jpg

http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/...8/IMG_1829.jpg

http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/...8/IMG_1827.jpg

Some other things to note, since ive had the car (8 months now) i replaced the front bumper, blacked out the tail lights, side markers and front blinkers, removed the damaged RS kit minus the spoiler, removed the aftermarket and stock trim. To me it was very tacky and ricey before, now its more elegant, smooth, simple...much more my style.

That is a ton of work wow. The end result looks great tho. Nice job Any chance of a high res close up on a panel?

Sure thing

that looks awesome now dude

Might wanna have someone clear it so it stays shiney. Good for you to be inventive about it.

A lot of hard work looks good

hell, the spray bomb would look better then my current paint job, looks awesome now!

and i like that you took off those damn ground effects!!!!!

Thanks everyone! And im glad someone agrees with me on the ground effects "ilovepizza". I always thought it looked too ricey, now it looks more like a muscle car. On top of that it didnt match up to the front.