Dulling clear coat door jamb finish for judging?

[Paul B.]

Hi,

My '62 Fawn beige is base coat clear coat, and I need advice on getting an acceptable finish in the door jamb area for judging. Ideally, I would like to be able to undue the "correctness" at some time in the future, I personally feel that the huge surface area of the C1 door jamb looks much better with a high gloss finish.

Thanks,
Paul

[Michael W.]

Re: Dulling clear coat door jamb finish for judgin

If you're not going like the look of your own doors jambs, leave them alone and take the deduct.

Whose car is it anyway?

[Mike M.]

Re: Dulling clear coat door jamb finish for judgin

I used the base and put it over top of the clear after the car was painted. If you wanted to take it off later I would not ruff up the clear coat and just wipe off off using thinner. There are other methods this is what I used.

[Garry Barnes]

Re: Dulling clear coat door jamb finish for judgin

Paul, you will also need to consider the hood, deck lid, trunk gutters and front door jambs while you are at it. Good luck with whatever process you choose.
Garry #18531

[Mike G.]

Re: Dulling clear coat door jamb finish for judgin

While watching "The Last Sting Ray", I noticed that Terry M.'s crew were using fine steel wool to dull down the jambs. Or you could use pumice, which produces a nice satin sheen on lacquered furniture.

Wouldn't think you'd have any problems polishing them out later....

[Eric F.]

Re: Dulling clear coat door jamb finish for judgin

Paul,

I used a single stage on my recent restoration and used 3M Scotch Brite to dull the finish in the jambs, hood rails and deck lid gutter. I initially used sand paper but found 3M Scotch Brite easier to work with in the areas with curves and multiple levels. Just make sure you use the correct grit. It's better to start with something too fine and work coarser than the other way around.

Good luck.

[Paul B.]

Re: Dulling clear coat door jamb finish for judgin

Thanks for all the good advise, I'll try the Scotchbrite pads first to see how it looks. Although I prefer shinny, gotta go for those points!

Paul

[Kurt B.]

Re: Dulling clear coat door jamb finish for judgin

A local Corvette restorer who is also an NCRS Judge advised me to use clear satin sprayover my paint to "dull" it down in the doorjambs, hood and gutters on my 68.
I chose not to do it (and will take the points deduction)but he showed me several Corvettes he did it on and it looked perfect. He specifically advised AGAINST using sandpaper or something else to scuff the paint.
Just one more opinion,
Kurt

[Dennis H.]

Re: Dulling clear coat door jamb finish for judgin

Were the midyear jams a dull color?

[Kurt B.]

Re: Dulling clear coat door jamb finish for judgin

The cars I was shown by this NCRS Judge in his restoration shop were predominantly mid years and he owns several midyears himself which have top flighted , so i would say "Yes" although I am NOT a midyear expert.
(Heck, I am not any year expert, that is why I come here with all my questions to those who are.)
Kurt

[Steven C.]

Re: Dulling clear coat door jamb finish for judgin

Kurt, did the judge use the satin overspray directly on top of the clear coat?

[Kurt B.]

Re: Dulling clear coat door jamb finish for judgin

Yes, satin over the clear coat and it gave it a dull appearance.
I didn't do it on my car, I'll take the points hit if I ever have it flight judged. I paid plenty for my paint job just can't see dulling it up.

[Boyan B.]

Re: Dulling clear coat door jamb finish for judgin

I have had experience dulling the jambs two ways. One is to use a flatening agent in the clear and then spray the jambs, hood gutter etc. This can be done during the initial stage of painting over the base coat. If he car has already been cleared, you can scuff up the surfaces with 3m pads, very fine, and spray the flatened clear on the areas you want dull. The meeting edge can be compounded so you dont notice it.

The second way is to use 000 or 0000 superfine steel wool and go over the cleared finish. This works pretty well, but in the right angle of light you see the scratch marks. They are very fine but can be seen.

I prefer the flatened clear. You can purchase flatener to add to the clear from any automotive paint supply, it is used to make a semi gloss finish for bumpers etc.

I have never tried to reverse either of them.

Boyan

[Joel Falk]

Re: Dulling clear coat door jamb finish for judgin

I have heard of people having good results using a heavy rubbing compound with a sponge to dull the jambs, gutters, etc.