anfrey
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sideskirt removal and painting
i do not take credit for this
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sideskirt removal/painting
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There are only two screws and three fastners holding it in place. Turn the wheel in order to gain better access. Once you remove the screws and fastners the side skirt should slide off easily.
I first sanded with 150-grit sand paper (use a foam pad as backing for the sand paper as it will spread the pressure more evenly than just using your hands), wiped clean with a damp rag. Then sanded with 400-grit, hosed down with water, and maintaining a wet surface, I wet sanded with 400-grit again. Next was the 600-grit. Same procedure as the 400-grit. Apply thin coats of automotive primer until you don't see any more black urethane. Don't over spray to avoid run-offs. Let dry, then ligtly sand with 400-grit and wet sand it afterwards. Let dry, and apply another thin layer of primer if necessary (in case the sanding procedure removed too much primer in certain spots). Apply the matching paint in thin coats, again avoiding run-offs. Let dry for a few minutes, then follow the same procedure as with the primer, except now you only wet sand with 600-grit paper. Make sure after wet sanding you hose down the side skirts to make sure all paint dust is removed, then let dry completely. Apply the paint again, dry, wet sand, hose down, let dry. Now you can apply the clearcoat. Evenly spray to cover all painted surfaces. No runoffs! Repeat the wet sanding with 600-grit (lightly) once the clearcoat dries completely. Hose down and let dry. Spray another layer of the clearcoat, and let dry. Should be done, unless you want more protection, in which case you apply as many clearcoats as you wish... 2-3 should be sufficient. Let it cure for a few hours then put it back on your car.
The following is an optional step for those who want their side skirts to shine as much as the rest of the car. Following the prior procedures, allow the side skirts to cure for at least 1-2 weeks (it can be done while mounted on your car, but I would recomend taking them out). Then you will be able to use a polishing compound to bring out the shine. A 1500-grit compound is usually good enough, but you can go as high as 9800-grit (do you really want your side skirts to outshine your hood?). With either a polishing pad, sponge, or cloth, apply the compound in long strokes, parallel to the side skirts. Never apply the polishing compound in a circular motion, you'll only get swirls and a dull finish. Don't rub too hard or you'll remove too much of the clearcoat. Using a clean cloth (preferably one that doesn't release too many fibers) wipe away the white haze formed by the compound. You should notice an increase in shine, and if not, repeat the process once more, always careful that you don't end up rubbing away the paint and exposing the urethane. You can either move on to a finer grit compound or finish it off with a hand or two of wax.
i do not take credit for this
_____________________
sideskirt removal/painting
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
There are only two screws and three fastners holding it in place. Turn the wheel in order to gain better access. Once you remove the screws and fastners the side skirt should slide off easily.
I first sanded with 150-grit sand paper (use a foam pad as backing for the sand paper as it will spread the pressure more evenly than just using your hands), wiped clean with a damp rag. Then sanded with 400-grit, hosed down with water, and maintaining a wet surface, I wet sanded with 400-grit again. Next was the 600-grit. Same procedure as the 400-grit. Apply thin coats of automotive primer until you don't see any more black urethane. Don't over spray to avoid run-offs. Let dry, then ligtly sand with 400-grit and wet sand it afterwards. Let dry, and apply another thin layer of primer if necessary (in case the sanding procedure removed too much primer in certain spots). Apply the matching paint in thin coats, again avoiding run-offs. Let dry for a few minutes, then follow the same procedure as with the primer, except now you only wet sand with 600-grit paper. Make sure after wet sanding you hose down the side skirts to make sure all paint dust is removed, then let dry completely. Apply the paint again, dry, wet sand, hose down, let dry. Now you can apply the clearcoat. Evenly spray to cover all painted surfaces. No runoffs! Repeat the wet sanding with 600-grit (lightly) once the clearcoat dries completely. Hose down and let dry. Spray another layer of the clearcoat, and let dry. Should be done, unless you want more protection, in which case you apply as many clearcoats as you wish... 2-3 should be sufficient. Let it cure for a few hours then put it back on your car.
The following is an optional step for those who want their side skirts to shine as much as the rest of the car. Following the prior procedures, allow the side skirts to cure for at least 1-2 weeks (it can be done while mounted on your car, but I would recomend taking them out). Then you will be able to use a polishing compound to bring out the shine. A 1500-grit compound is usually good enough, but you can go as high as 9800-grit (do you really want your side skirts to outshine your hood?). With either a polishing pad, sponge, or cloth, apply the compound in long strokes, parallel to the side skirts. Never apply the polishing compound in a circular motion, you'll only get swirls and a dull finish. Don't rub too hard or you'll remove too much of the clearcoat. Using a clean cloth (preferably one that doesn't release too many fibers) wipe away the white haze formed by the compound. You should notice an increase in shine, and if not, repeat the process once more, always careful that you don't end up rubbing away the paint and exposing the urethane. You can either move on to a finer grit compound or finish it off with a hand or two of wax.