There is nothing more annoying than seeing an orange peel finish once you spray single-stage paint. It shouldn’t be so hard for you to notice orange peel on the paint as it will look the same as the skin of an orange.
Orange peel can lower the overall aesthetics of a car paint job, and that’s why it should be removed as soon as possible.
When removing orange peel, you have to be careful and avoid damaging the paint since that can force you to repaint the car once again.
So, How Do I Get Rid of Orange Peel from Single Stage Paint?
The process isn’t complicated, but it requires a significant amount of elbow grease. Here is a quick overview;
- Before getting started, ensure that you shoot a layer of clear coat first.
- Begin by wet sanding the orange peel. Fine sandpaper should do the trick. Be very gentle to avoid over-sanding into the paint. As you wet sand, you should realize the orange peel is turning smoother.
- Once you are done sanding and are pleased with the results, polish the surface. Polishing is crucial as it ensures the surface looks as good as new. If you prefer coating, feel free to add a layer of protection.
By doing the above, your car should look as good as new, and you will have removed the orange peel.
What Grit Sandpaper Should I Use to Remove the Orange Peel?
With single-stage paint, you should use 2000-grit sandpaper. This should be fine enough to remove orange peel without affecting your paint job.
Another pro-tip that can be beneficial is to wet stand by hand. Yes, it may take a lot of time, but you will get a more pleasant finish.
Use a lot of water, and it’s advisable to have a squeegee on the side. That should come in very handy during wet sanding.
Do not forget to polish once you are done. Some car owners start with 1200-grit sandpaper and then work towards finer ones.
2000 grit sandpaper may take a long because it’s finer. This, however, should be used by experts who have experience with wet sanding cars.
Should I Wet Sand the Entire Car?
That depends on where the orange peels have developed and how much time you have on your hands. If the orange peels formed after you painted the entire car, it is best to wet sand all of it.
Suppose you decide to wet sand only in certain spots. They will look much better than the paint on other parts of your car, and the finish will be compromised.
It is better to take your time and work on the entire vehicle. If you are in a hurry, you can just work on the orange peel patches and deal with the rest later.
Can Buffing Remove Orange Peel from Single Stage Paint?
We aren’t big fans of buffing because there is a huge chance of burning through the paint. Buffing and other heavy-duty abrasives do more harm than good.
Yes, they may get rid of the orange peel faster. But is it worth risking burning through the paint? If you damage your car paint, there is no other option than to repair it once more.
What Causes Orange Peel in Single-Stage Paint?
If this isn’t your first time getting orange peel from single-stage paint, then there is something that you are probably doing wrong. Single-stage paint is meant to hold on well to paint.
If applied correctly, you shouldn’t face any peeling issues. Here are some reasons you may be experiencing orange peel with single-stage paint.
- You are using cheap paint. Low-quality paint peels easily. Make sure that you always use quality paint. Research can direct you to a quality paint brand.
- The other thing that can cause orange peel is improper painting techniques. Painting is an art that one can easily learn. Before embarking on a paint job, do some research and learn the proper painting techniques.
- Learn how to set up your spray gun. If you don’t set it correctly, you can spray too thick or thin paint, resulting in orange peeling.
- The other thing you have to avoid is applying excessive paint. Just because you are working with single-stage paint, that doesn’t mean you should use more for it to hold. Too much paint will result in peeling. This can be quite inconvenient because wet sanding is not fun.
Anyway, if you have spotted some orange peel on your car after using single-stage paint, do not panic. You can remove it easily through wet sanding.
Please note that wet sanding can also help you get rid of runs and other paint imperfections on your car. Don’t forget that when it comes to wet sanding, use a lot of water and finer sandpapers.
You may be tempted to use a lower grit because it is more abrasive. But that can burn through the paint, putting you in a worse situation.
Is Sanding the Only Way for You to Remove Orange Peel?
It’s not the only option, but it is undoubtedly one of the best. With wet sanding, you can easily remove orange peel without damaging your paint job.
If you want another option, you can use rubbing or cutting compounds. These contain abrasives that rub through the paint to correct defects.
You can use a buffer as this will make your work easier. Be very gentle and do not work on one area for very long.
Should I Polish after Wet Sanding?
Absolutely. Polishing makes the sanded area look brand new. If you have just noticed orange peels on your car paint, wet sand it and then polish it. You can use regular car polish. It is also a good idea to polish your car regularly.
Can Clear Coat Fix Orange Peel?
Orange peel caused by single-stage paint can’t be fixed using a clear coat. Unless you sand first before spraying a clear coat, there won’t be any significant change.
A clear coat accentuates a car’s paint job and protects it from the elements. It doesn’t offer any form of paint correction.
Therefore, do not waste time spraying clear over the orange peel. What can help is wet sanding the surface where you have spotted orange peel.
Can a Professional Detailer Help?
Many DIY car owners end up taking their cars to detailers for sanding after they have used single-stage paint.
Therefore, do not hesitate to take your vehicle to one if you have spotted some orange peel. There are times when you may do everything right and end up with orange peel on your car.
The detailer at your local body shop can wet sand the car for around $200. Considering the amount of elbow grease needed, it makes sense to part with such an amount and get an impressive finish.
If the orange peel on your car looks annoying, take it to a body shop near you and have it repaired right away.
Before we can move on from seeking detailing services, you need to take note of the following; painting is not a skill that everyone will have.
If you are always getting it wrong, hiring a professional detailer can help you avoid the headaches caused by paint imperfections such as orange peel and running paint.
Is It More Difficult to Remove Orange Peel from Single-Stage Paint?
Not really. It’s just because finer sandpapers often take longer. Orange peel isn’t embedded deeper in the paint. This is why after spending a couple of minutes sanding the surface, the orange peel comes off effortlessly.
If you are struggling to remove orange peel from single-stage paint, you need to be patient. Alternatively, go with lower-grit sandpaper. Be wary of scratching deeper into the paint since that reduces its life.
Can I Stop Orange Peel When Painting?
Some techniques can help you avoid orange peel during painting. The first thing is to remove air bubbles. As you paint, you can spot air bubbles.
Ensure that you get rid of them before proceeding. When you thin the paint, you are assured of a more refined finish. It is also good to avoid painting a car during humid weather.
Also, it is advisable to avoid using rollers. If you must use a roller, go for a smaller one. Always clean your sprayer before using it. Do not forget to give each coat time to dry before spraying another one.
Is Single Stage Paint a Good Choice?
The discussion about single-stage paint and orange peel can leave you wondering if single-stage paint is an excellent choice. Well, there is nothing wrong with single-stage paint. But it has its limitations.
With single-stage paint, you will get a moderate shine which can dull easily if exposed continuously to the sun. Besides the risk of orange peel, single-stage paint is a good choice for car owners who aren’t very keen on aesthetics.