? for you paint/body experts....

[Calvin Krug]

>Beatty, Robert" <BeattyR at ummhc.org>
>To: "'audi list'" <quattro at audifans.com>
>Subject: ? for you paint/body experts....
>Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001 13:30:08 -0400
>
>I have an 86 5ktq with the charcoal grey/black??? (not sure of exact color)
>The clear coat has started whitening and flaking off on the sunroof and on
>the trunk.  Is it possible to compound it down to good color and then
>respray the clear coat or am I looking at repainting
>?

Repainting is your only choice if you want it to look good.  If you 
merely sand the existing clear and basecoat lightly, and spray clear 
over it, three things will happen. First, where the clear had come 
off, there's a good chance that you will sand though the color, as it 
is much softer than the clear layer.  Second, where you have new 
clear over old clear, it will be a slightly different color than the 
single clear areas, and the edges will be very visible.  Third, the 
remaining original clear will likely eventually pop loose, too, 
taking the new stuff with it.  Any good bodyshop (not those $300 
paintjob places) can take care of this properly.  I worked in several 
shops, as well as a paint supplier, so I have a bit of experience. 
Hope this helps.

Calvin K.