# Polishing spray paint?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polishing-spray-paint/820261>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 25, 2018, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polishing-spray-paint/820261 "2018-08-25T18:24:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2018, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polishing-spray-paint/820261/1 "2018-08-25T18:24:51Z")

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I bought some specific [spray paint](https://mossmotors.com/spray-paint-engine-dark-red) to refurbish a spare valve/rocker cover I have for the MGB. I sanded it, primed it, and then applied the red paint. The finish isn’t as smooth as I would like. My first thought was to go over it with some steel wool to roughen it up, and then apply another coat. I suspect I’ll still have the overspray issue. My next thought was to get a [buffing wheel](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B42ZLG2/) and some fine [polishing rouge](https://www.amazon.com/Drixet-Polishing-Buffing-Cutting-Compound/dp/B079Y8TTNM) and trying to buff it out.

So how do I get a nice, shiny, smooth finish on this painted part?

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**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2018, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polishing-spray-paint/820261/2 "2018-08-25T18:31:35Z")

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Use rubbing compound.  
Spray, rub, spray, rub, etc. until it’s to the smoothness you desire.  
You can use a buffing wheel, but go gently, or you will cut through the paint.

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**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2018, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polishing-spray-paint/820261/3 "2018-08-25T18:32:41Z")

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> [@beowulff](#):
>
> Use rubbing compound.  
> Spray, rub, spray, rub, etc. until it’s to the smoothness you desire.

I do have a bottle of rubbing compound and some rags…

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**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2018, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polishing-spray-paint/820261/4 "2018-08-25T18:42:40Z")

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I’m not a painter, but on the bike forum I go to the guys do home painting with spray cans, and treat it like real paint.  
Sand it, rubbing/polishing compound, clear coat…the whole nine yards, and it looks great.

Good luck.🆒

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**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2018, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polishing-spray-paint/820261/5 "2018-08-25T19:38:52Z")

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I found my buffing wheel and some rouge, but I can’t find my nearly-full bottle of rubbing compound. :rolleyes:

The surest way to find it would be to buy a new bottle.