I was trying to polish the paint that I plan on leaving on my coach and while the red gave me the normal red oxidized paint residue, it would polish. The silver paint was giving a black residue like you get when polishing metal. It doesn't appear to be polishing at all. Is this some kind of aluminum oxide paint or something? It seems to be original while the paint above the seam molding appears to be repainted (and a bad job at that)

I'm the only one with dull paint?

Metallic paints usually have aluminum fines, and they don't polish well.

As an experiment, try cleaning an area with lacquer thinner and then coating with clear enamel.

Rusty is right, sanding metallic paint takes the color coat off and exposes the metal flecks in the paint. Silver is loaded with them thus making it silver.

I would use a simply spray can for the experiment.
If it isn't acceptable, use the lacquer thinner to clean the clear back off.

Corey

Corey, will the lacquer thinner actually remove the clear coat? We have to redo the rear of our Barth that was repainted with a base and clear coat. The clear is starting to flake off. We're just working on the dark blue area around the windows that you see in our avatar.
Jim

quote:

they don't polish well.

Well, I guess I will just scrub the bottom clean and work on stripping the top for polishing.

quote:

Corey, will the lacquer thinner actually remove the clear coat? We have to redo the rear of our Barth that was repainted with a base and clear coat. The clear is starting to flake off. We're just working on the dark blue area around the windows that you see in our avatar.
Jim

Jim,

Lacquer thinner will not remove clear coat, but a well manipulated razor blade may. I didn't realize it was already cleared over.

I assume then the dull parts are where the CC has come off?? In that case you have a major dilemma because wherever you sand, if you hit the color coat, it will polish the metallic flakes and look too light compared to the surrounding area. That is why a razor can sometimes strip the clear without damaging the color coat, but it is a major headache doing it without damage!

At this point I would consider a proper preparation and re-coat of color and clear. For a temporary fix, use the razor blade to flake off all loose clear and then clear with a quality spray can clear. You can wet sand the clear, but if you break through you will see the metal flakes as much shinier.

Corey

None of my coach has clear coat. I really dont care if the silver part shines. I was wanting to get it clean and polishers were not helping at all. I used some purple power and got it clean but still have a few streaks. There will be less when I get done with the paint remover

do you mean that you use a spray can of clear enamel to brighten the red stripe on your coach?Or clear polly?
lenny