Need suggestions on "knocking down" clear coat gloss on body paint

[Garry B.]

My Elkhart blue "67 coupe was done in BC/CC back in 1988 and it still looks outstanding with the exception that the gloss level is too high for my liking. I would like to knock the gloss level down a level or two (approaching NCRS judging standards) and would appreciate some suggestions on how best to accomplish this. I am not talking about the door jambs, I mean the whole car. What products and processes are used to get the best results. Thanks.
Garry
18531

[David H.]

Re: Need suggestions on "knocking down" clear coat gloss on body paint

My Elkhart blue "67 coupe was done in BC/CC back in 1988 and it still looks outstanding with the exception that the gloss level is too high for my liking. I would like to knock the gloss level down a level or two (approaching NCRS judging standards) and would appreciate some suggestions on how best to accomplish this. I am not talking about the door jambs, I mean the whole car. What products and processes are used to get the best results. Thanks.
Garry
18531

Garry

For Flight Judging, Base Coat/Clear Coat exhibiting attributes consistent with Factory Application Methods would receive a 30% Originality deduction on Paint (Doors, Hood, & Trunk closed).

BC/CC cars, failing that test, have Door Jams, Hood Ledge, & Trunk Area judged for appearance consistent with Factory Application Methods. If those areas are consistent with Factory Application Methods, then a 70% deduction is assessed.

Failing both tests, a 100% deduction is assessed - this also results in 100% deduction for Condition.

As you described your paint condition as excellent: (45 Originality points possible with 40 Condition points possible - 85 total possible.)

BC/CC paint exhibiting exterior Factory Application Methods: 30% deduction - 15 Points deduction (No deduction on Condition).

BC/CC NOT exhibiting exterior Factory Application Methods, but exhibiting Factory Application Methods on Door jams, Hood & Trunk: 70% deduction - 32 Points deduction (No deduction on Condition)

BC/CC failing both exterior and door jam etc appearance of Factory Application Methods is 100% deduction on Both Originality and Condition or 85 Points deduction.

I would expect a scuff and respray clear with flattener would be what you're looking for. (Your 1967 Judging Guide has excellent description and images of areas in question)

Cost for a potential gain of 17 points, on a car with an exterior you like, should be considered.

Dave

[Garry B.]

Re: Need suggestions on "knocking down" clear coat gloss on body paint

David, thanks for the judging reminder, but I just want to hear some of the secrets guys have used to mildly "degloss" a BC/CC paint job. Things like using a compound or carefully wet sanding the entire car and then bringing it back up to the level of gloss that looks right.

[David H.]

Re: Need suggestions on "knocking down" clear coat gloss on body paint

David, thanks for the judging reminder, but I just want to hear some of the secrets guys have used to mildly "degloss" a BC/CC paint job. Things like using a compound or carefully wet sanding the entire car and then bringing it back up to the level of gloss that looks right.

Garry

Part of what you are looking for is "orange peel". Compound or wet sanding would just flatten the paint. Factory finish was NOT fine scratches.

Tom Ames is our NCRS Body and Paint contact, perhaps he can provide direction. automospe@aol.com

Link below is to David Brigham's Paint School.

https://ncrsontario.org/nc/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Paint-School-Jan-29-2017.pdf

Dave

[Garry B.]

Re: Need suggestions on "knocking down" clear coat gloss on body paint

Thanks David. There is no way I would be able to resurrect orange peal with clear coat, so that is not an option and wet sanding would knock the gloss down. If you control the "buffing' after the wet sand you could bring the gloss back up to maybe half of what it was without leaving sanding marks. This is one idea and I hope there are others.