Moparts
How to handle Runs in clearcoat ?
Posted By: MileHighDart
How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 04/11/12 04:12 PM
So I painted the main part of my Dart yesterday, the roof, quarters, etc.
I was doing great, but ended up with a couple Runs in my final coat of clear.
Should I run out to the bodyshop supply store today and buy one of those nib cutter things and try to shave off the runs while they are still soft ?
Or just wait till the paint totally hard and use a small block and some 400 wet paper.
I'll be colorsanding and buffing the whole thing anyway so not worried about the runs but just wondering whats the best way to handle them.
Posted By: herkamer
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 04/11/12 04:30 PM
I have a nib tool but haven't had a chance to use it. Think you need a pretty steady hand so you don't gouge the rest of the surrounding paint. I usually wet sand them out if they aren't bad, but using 400 will be very tough to get the sand scratches out. I would think about starting with 2000 and if need be step down to 1500. With clear, I always start fine and work coarser if it's not doing the job. I have some compounds that claim they will buff out 1200 grit scratches but I'm not quite that optimistic without having some practice panel to try on first.
Posted By: bonefish
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 04/11/12 04:48 PM
the best way ive found is still old school.bend a razor blade slightly in the shape of a U,then with the U shape pointing up witch keeps the corners from hitting the surface scape in a downward or sidways motion DEPEDIND ON THE SHAPE OF THE RUN.it takes some patience but you can see what your doing.the way i paint ive gotten pretty good at it,
Posted By: 1_WILD_RT
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 04/11/12 04:58 PM
If you have steady hands use a single edge razor blade .... Grip the blade between the thumb & index fingers of both hands, center the blade, rest the heel of you hand on the car to help steady your self & take small shaving cuts off the top of the run... If you take an aggressive cut it may dig to deep so go slow... Al your want to do is get it close, that last little bit will sand out... Practice helps but ya gotta learn sometime & today is your day... Shaving is best done the day after you spray, the longer you wait the harder it gets...
FWIW I use the blade straight but I use a layer of masking tape around the corner at each end of the blade...
My buddy likes to put a slight bend in the middle of the blade so he has less blade close to the paint & better control of the cut...
Posted By: Moonraker
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 04/11/12 05:09 PM
If your runs are heavy and have "fingers" a nib filer will come in handy, but be VERY careful when using it because the clear coat that has ran on you will take longer to cure than the rest of it. If you try to file it too soon you will run into real problems. Same goes for sanding real heavy runs. If your runs are smooth sanding will be fine there wont be a need to use a file.
If your runs are heavy try the file or you can use 400-600 to carefully knock them down, I would stop right before you become "level" with the rest of the clear and switch to 1000-1500 to work it flat then 2000 to finish it off before you buff it. Smoother/lighter runs I would use 1000 to to work heavier part of the run down switch to 1500 to work it flat and then 2000 to finish it off before buffing.
Just remember to work it down in stages more or less this will save sanding time and the time needed to buff it out as heavy scratches are alot harder to remove. Take your time and save yourself the headache.
Posted By: 70Cuda383
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 04/11/12 05:23 PM
one thing I don't see mentioned yet, is if you try to sand it out alone, you can burn through the clear in the low spots on each side of the run, before the run itself is even with the rest of the clear.
cut the run with a blade or file, THEN sand and buff it out.
Posted By: Moonraker
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 04/11/12 05:28 PM
Quote:
If you have steady hands use a single edge razor blade .... Grip the blade between the thumb & index fingers of both hands, center the blade, rest the heel of you hand on the car to help steady your self & take small shaving cuts off the top of the run... If you take an aggressive cut it may dig to deep so go slow... Al your want to do is get it close, that last little bit will sand out... Practice helps but ya gotta learn sometime & today is your day... Shaving is best done the day after you spray, the longer you wait the harder it gets...
FWIW I use the blade straight but I use a layer of masking tape around the corner at each end of the blade...
My buddy likes to put a slight bend in the middle of the blade so he has less blade close to the paint & better control of the cut...
This works too but scares the crap out of me when I do it 
. Luckily I seldom get runs in the clear anymore. Always loved seeing that beatiful wet shine right after spraying only to come back in the booth 5 minutes later and see runs forming in it. 
Posted By: Moonraker
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 04/11/12 11:38 PM
Quote:
one thing I don't see mentioned yet, is if you try to sand it out alone, you can burn through the clear in the low spots on each side of the run, before the run itself is even with the rest of the clear.
cut the run with a blade or file, THEN sand and buff it out.
This is true. I have a hard plastic block I use on heavier runs to help prevent cutting into the lower parts of the clear before the run is knocked down when I'm sanding. 
Posted By: bri440
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 04/12/12 01:03 AM
I put a piece of tape on either edge of the nip file and use the exposed center to remove the bulk of the run, going with the run. The tape prevents scratching the surrounding paint. Then I sand the last part, which is just the thickness of the tape.
As mentioned, whatever method you use, patience yields the best results.
Good Luck,
Posted By: MileHighDart
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 04/12/12 02:48 AM
Well I was just out in the garage giving this a try.
I used a single edged razor blade and I put two wraps of masking tape around the ends/corners.
So the blade can basically slide on the surface riding on the masking tape, the blade in the center scrapeing the run.
Works pretty good, but I noticed the deeper you go into the run it was still a little soft so I stopped and I'll continue in a day or two. Got about 1/2 the thickness of the runs off.
Thats pretty nerve racking though, scrapeing a razor blade across a brand new paint job
but it seems to be working.
Thanks for the tips everyone.
Posted By: Mopargnome
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 04/12/12 05:51 AM
I did the razor blade trick on a friends car, right in front of him, the day after painting it. He was quite nervous until it was all buffed out. I was laughing the whole time!
Posted By: BulletBob
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 04/12/12 06:05 AM
Quote:
I did the razor blade trick on a friends car, right in front of him, the day after painting it. He was quite nervous until it was all buffed out. I was laughing the whole time!
I did the same He freaked out totally after his buddy who claimed that I was doing it all the wrong way & said that I should be sanding the run out.
I stopped & explained that the guy who has never had any type of automotive job neede to sand the couple runs out & buff it himself.
He sanded them smooth to the touch but was still visible in the light & explained that that was why it's bad to get runs because thats the result.
I explained to him that he wasn't a painter but a Paint Rep (The guy who tells you how to paint but never has done it)
Posted By: RTSrunner
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 04/15/12 04:59 AM
Quote:
Quote:
one thing I don't see mentioned yet, is if you try to sand it out alone, you can burn through the clear in the low spots on each side of the run, before the run itself is even with the rest of the clear.
cut the run with a blade or file, THEN sand and buff it out.
This is true. I have a hard plastic block I use on heavier runs to help prevent cutting into the lower parts of the clear before the run is knocked down when I'm sanding.
I use a fine nib file and then start with 800 grit wet paper on a hard sanding block or paint stick.Work slowly and sand lightly,too much pressure and you will sand through the surrounding paint.Then move to 1000 grit and continue finer and buff.Wizards buffing compound is amazing,slow speed results and fast too.
RT
Posted By: 71 FJ6 Charger
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 04/15/12 05:44 PM
I have many hours showing retards how to use technique to avoid runs. Usually it is a disaster...and we spend more time fixing the "repairs" than working on technique.
Do what you are doing with the razor,(if you have atleast 2 wet coats of clear),then hit them with a rubber block and 600 paper WET. You have to pay close attention to the OUTSIDE area of the run(s),they WILL go through first(less material).Make a few passes,feel it,if it is coming down move to 800,then 1500 then 2K. It is a gradual and slow process,but I have been successful at it scores of times this way without breaking the clear,though it has happened. But only about 10% of the time.
Also try to use a synthetic compound,as it wont take as much down as typical compound will.This is where you usually go through,the buffing part. Syntheticut works awesome for this kind of repair.
Good luck
Posted By: Pacnorthcuda
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 04/15/12 05:55 PM
Quote:
I have many hours showing retards
Aren't you glad you were born 'normal'?
Posted By: magnum440d100
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 04/15/12 06:45 PM
Quote:
So I painted the main part of my Dart yesterday, the roof, quarters, etc.
I was doing great, but ended up with a couple Runs in my final coat of clear.
Should I run out to the bodyshop supply store today and buy one of those nib cutter things and try to shave off the runs while they are still soft ?
Or just wait till the paint totally hard and use a small block and some 400 wet paper.
I'll be colorsanding and buffing the whole thing anyway so not worried about the runs but just wondering whats the best way to handle them.
I use the razor blade method after it dries...
BUT the easiest I've done it was with a piece of masking tape while its still wet. get a length of masking tape, pull it semi taught with the sticky side facing the wet paint. TAP, and I mean BARELY tap the wet run with the tape, and pull away quickly...takes the excess paint/clear with it. It wont be PERFECT but comes out with colorsanding easier.
Posted By: Johnsnow Kornar
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 09/17/19 06:15 AM
So I painted the main part of my Dart yesterday, the roof, quarters, etc.
I was doing great, but ended up with a couple Runs in my final
automotive Clear Coats of clear.
Should I run out to the bodyshop supply store today and buy one of those nib cutter things and try to shave off the runs while they are still soft ?
Or just wait till the paint totally hard and use a small block and some 400 wet paper.
I'll be colorsanding and buffing the whole thing anyway so not worried about the runs but just wondering whats the best way to handle them.
There are numerous factors. It could have been the means by which the paint was blended, what number of coats were applied, how the vehicle was painted (method), what number of coats and sort of clear coat, even the shade of the preliminary can make little contrasts.
I painted the hood of my yellow charger off the vehicle and applied all the more clear on it than the remainder of the vehicle and in some lighting conditions, you can see a slight contrast in the shading just from the thicker covering of clear.
Posted By: HUSTLESTUFF
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 09/17/19 12:12 PM
Depending on size of run and location you could try this. I use a razor for small runs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn6nPky0HGs
Posted By: HUSTLESTUFF
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 09/17/19 12:14 PM
My suggestion probably wont work seeing you asked in 2012
Posted By: JDMopar
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 09/19/19 01:31 AM
My suggestion probably wont work seeing you asked in 2012
Hey! It's almost dry....so he should be able to sand it any day now....lol.
Posted By: PAULS_340
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 09/25/19 02:11 AM
This is an old post but, NOTE TO SELF: After your painter (close friend) feels more is better with the clear......it's going to run. So you stand back when he says " I can fix it" "you probably didn't prep it good enough" so he lays on a second coat, heavier, seven minutes after the first coat, remember, he's the specialist, and then he lays a thicker third coat on to try and cover up what he F-ed up. Just because your pissed-off, don't wait four days to wet sand the runs off....it will be too effing hard! Keep in mind, the is the engine bay of a '71 Demon; there's only two flat spots. So don't kool off and call DUSTLESS BLASTING, REPEAT AFTER ME, DO NOT CALL DUSTLESS BLASTING if you have an assembled car. All I did was pull the motor and everything else in the engine bay. DUSTLESS BLASTING gets into EVERY nook and cranny, EVERY ONE. Every firewall hole was double and triple taped with red duct tape and foil tape. That puke they spray gets in every door mechanism, every depression in the frame, every A-frame member, all the brakes, EVERYWHERE. And when it dries, compressed air doesn't get it off. I took a toothbrush with air to the entire frame! All this because I didn't prep it right. $400 in paint and clear because "I" didn't prep it right.
Posted By: Neil
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 09/25/19 02:20 AM
YouTube video by the Gunman shows using a spot putty over the run and then sanding the whole area down until the spot putty is gone. It protects the rest of the clear around the outside from being touched until the whole thing is flat. Looks way better than the razor blade technique.
Posted By: Pacnorthcuda
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 09/25/19 03:26 AM
So I painted the main part of my Dart yesterday, the roof, quarters, etc.
I was doing great, but ended up with a couple Runs in my final
automotive Clear Coats of clear.
Should I run out to the bodyshop supply store today and buy one of those nib cutter things and try to shave off the runs while they are still soft ?
Or just wait till the paint totally hard and use a small block and some 400 wet paper.
I'll be colorsanding and buffing the whole thing anyway so not worried about the runs but just wondering whats the best way to handle them.
There are numerous factors. It could have been the means by which the paint was blended, what number of coats were applied, how the vehicle was painted (method), what number of coats and sort of clear coat, even the shade of the preliminary can make little contrasts.
I painted the hood of my yellow charger off the vehicle and applied all the more clear on it than the remainder of the vehicle and in some lighting conditions, you can see a slight contrast in the shading just from the thicker covering of clear.
Hey! Newbie!!!!
Do you realize you just responded to thread that’s SEVEN YEARS OLD???
Pay attention! Good Lord.
Posted By: Pacnorthcuda
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 09/25/19 03:28 AM
My suggestion probably wont work seeing you asked in 2012
Hey! It's almost dry....so he should be able to sand it any day now....lol.
I think you were the only one to get it. And that IS funny...well played.
Posted By: MileHighDart
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 09/26/19 04:00 PM
Just a 7 year update for ya'll.
I waited till it was dry, and used the razorblade method. Shaved it off little by little till it was gone. Wet sanded and buffed, and looks great.
Posted By: moparx
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 09/26/19 04:11 PM
my one painter buddy always said : "there is no cost for the extra protection" .
Posted By: Salvador Johnson
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 11/02/19 08:17 PM
I have used Speedokote SMR for this. It works fine for me. BTW, I have written content on
Best Rubbing Compound for Car Scratches. You may read this information.
Posted By: jcc
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 11/03/19 01:07 AM
I have had runs before in non critical areas, and i have resorted to just quickly taking typical absorbent style household paper towel, and before the paint sets/flashes, dip a corner in the run and surprisingly suck up a lot of paint i would have to sand out later, almost to the point no sanding is needed it you are willing to accept a "heavy' spot in the paint.
Posted By: emilies
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 11/19/19 06:25 PM
Learn some new things. Thanks
Posted By: GMP440
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 11/19/19 11:09 PM
Excellant thread. Old or not , this is a good one.
Posted By: Liam
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 04/07/20 06:48 AM
Great post. learn lots of new information.
Posted By: GomangoCuda
Re: How to handle Runs in clearcoat ? - 04/07/20 02:16 PM
Best thing I learned about paint is take it to a really really really good painter
and then don't go look at it until he says it's done.