Following someone keying my bonnet...I've decided to try the locost fix....1) To see if I can make a half decent repair. 2) Because I am a tight git.

I've spent the last few days adding paint to the scratches until the paint is just above the level of the existing paint. I will then flat off level. Next step is to re clearcoat the whole bonnet which I will do with rattle cans.

Question is...do I flat the whole bonnet with say 1200 wet/dry and clear coat it all over to get a more even finish? I'm a bit concerned about applying the clear over a matt finish that the wet/dry will leave...will it still come with the same depth of shine?

Or do I flat the whole bonnet then polish with say T Cut to get a shine, then clear coat over?

Any advice would be great. if all fails off with the bonnet and on with a s/h one!

I believe the correct procedure is to flat the colour back with a fine paper then spray the clear coat onto the mat colour. I think 600 or 800 grit is the stuff to use. I'm sure an expert will be on here soon enough to correct me.

the clear coat has started peeling off the roof of my car but i can confirm the paint underneath is very much matt, so thats the way forward. flat it down and then clearcoat

Assuming you are happy towith the repair of the scratch then you flatting it off is purely and simply to give a surface that the next layer of paint will stick to, so 600 and 800 is too coarse. 1200 you suggested is fine, or you could use proper scouring pads. What you want to achieve is miniscule even scratches all over that will give a "key" to your layer of clear...
HTH

I use 1200-1400 paper and flatten the colour till the surface is showing no marks or pitting. I will look very mat.

Then spray several light coats of lacquer and one that’s dry (couple of days) use a rubbing compound or original T-cut to buff the lacquer to a nice shine.

No need at all to spray the whole bonnet, just do over the scratch and use the rubbing compound to blend it in

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Originally posted by Mr Whippy
I use 1200-1400 paper and flatten the colour till the surface is showing no marks or pitting. I will look very mat.

Then spray several light coats of lacquer and one that’s dry (couple of days) use a rubbing compound or original T-cut to buff the lacquer to a nice shine.

No need at all to spray the whole bonnet, just do over the scratch and use the rubbing compound to blend it in

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Do the offending bit

Then if it looks pants rub it down and do the whole thing...

Flat the whole thing, take it to a bodyshop and ask them to clear it. They can put it in the booth and empty the last gun onto it - should cost about a round of drinks. Best material applied by the best painters.