That pearl white respray I did last month came out looking orange peely

I usually spray metallics and solid colors no problem, but this 2015 Honda Accord in pearl white gave me hell. I shot it with my Iwata LPH400 at 28 psi, same as always, but the clear laid down rough with a heavy orange peel texture. I wet sanded with 1500 grit and buffed with 3M compound, but it still has that wavy look in direct sunlight. My buddy at the shop says I probably laid the clear too thick or had the gun too far away. I'm thinking about trying a different clear like PPG's DC4000 next time, something that flows out better. Has anyone else had trouble with white pearls being way more finicky than they expected? What did you do to fix the texture on a repaint?

2 comments

2 Comments

christopherwilliams1mo ago

Wet sanding with 2000 grit before the final buff fixed it for me on a tri-coat pearl.

gavine411mo agoOG Member

Glad that worked for you @christopherwilliams. I've done the same on a couple of tricky pearls and it's the way to go if you can get the orange peel out first. Just got to be real careful not to burn through the clear, especially on the edges where it's thin. I use a foam pad with the 2000 grit and keep it wet the whole time, no shortcuts. Then a machine buff with a fine compound brings it right back, no haze left behind. That tri-coat is unforgiving if you rush it though, take your time and it pays off.