i just painted my lip and i know that after you clearcoat it, youre supposed to use rubbing compound to make it shine. my question is, i got the No7 "Heavy Duty" rubbing compound, is this too hard for just making the clearcoat shine? or is there a lighter compund i should use? thanks

Rubbing compounds aren't meant for final gloss. They are meant for removing sanding marks and severe defects. You just need a good polish.

Don't ruin your new paint job, good thing you asked. Get a mild polish, I would reommend not using anything for a couple of weeks until the paint properly cures. Then just use a mild cleaner/wax and follow up with a sealent like UPP or Poorboys EX or Klasse AIO+SG. Rubbing Compounding is virtually obsolete no ones removes sanding marks or swirls by hand anymore, its done by machine. In terms of good polishs I would go with Menzerna or Meguiars, but you need a Porter Cable 7424 or 7336 random orbital buffer and pads. That is why I recommend using a regular cleaner wax, since your paint is new and most likely does not have alot of imperfections.

wow thats weird. paintscratch.com (the place i bought the paint & clearcoat from) says that the paint will not shine unless you use a rubbing compound after the clearcoat. It even says it on the can. thanks guys!

wow thats weird. paintscratch.com (the place i bought the paint & clearcoat from) says that the paint will not shine unless you use a rubbing compound after the clearcoat. It even says it on the can. thanks guys!

Did you sand it?

Did you sand it?


nope, it came to me primed grey. i just painted it and then clearcoated it.

*I* wouldn't worry much about a rubbing compound if there are no sanding marks to remove (though it's hard to say definitely without seeing it in person).

Find a good paint polish to help restore the full gloss.

*I* wouldn't worry much about a rubbing compound if there are no sanding marks to remove (though it's hard to say definitely without seeing it in person).

Find a good paint polish to help restore the full gloss.

even though there was never a gloss to begin with? it says that you need the rubbing compound to make it shine.

Then go for the rubbing compound...you could always just try following the directions.