Painting, Cutting and Buffing Finalized Process
Over the last week I have been cutting and buffing the HS and elevators. I finally came up with a process that gets me to the flattest, clearest surface. This comparison (with 3M Perfect-It and Meguiar's) is in the 'Building Techniques' section of VAF. In summary, this is what I have come up with:
After paint/clear has cured 12+ hrs
1) Cut with P1500 wet by hand in rectangular pattern to rid surface of boogers and peel
2) 3M Trizact 3000 wet on 3M orbital DA
3) 3M Trizact 5000 wet on 3M orbital DA
4) Meguirar's 100 rubbing compound using Porter Cable soft-start polisher and white 3M 8" foam pad
5) Meguirar's 205 polishing compound same PC polisher and black 3M 8" foam pad
6) Meguirar's 305 ultra polish same PC polisher and blue 3M 8" foam pad
7) Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light
8) Gtechniq EXO
This is a LOT of work. But, the results are as close to show plane perfect as this amateur has been able to get.
My HS and elevators are painted with the single stage Sherwin Williams AcryGlow White. Polishing these to perfection was difficult, I think partially, because of the pigment in single stage paints. With clear coat two stage paints the results should be better. When I paint the top of my fuse it will be in silver metallic two stage and the dark gray and tan accents are also two stage, so stay tuned re the results.
Here is the reflection of my LED shop light in the HS after the Meguirar's rubbing compound: