How to Remove Runs and Sags in Clearcoat and Paint [EASY]

So you've taken all that time to do body work, sand, sand, and sand some more. You shoot the basecoat and it looks awesome, then you shoot that last coat of clear and BAM!! All of a sudden you notice that sag starting to form and then the cascade effect creates multiple runs or drips. Let not your heart be troubled, there's an easy way to fix this. Sit back and learn how to remove runs and sage in clearcoat and paint.

Before starting any of this, make sure the clear or paint has cured for at least 24-hours. First up is to make sure that the surface and the surrounding area is very clean. Get yourself a few brand new razor blades. You should only need one, but having a few is always good. Stand the blade straight up, perpendicular to the paint surface and lightly scrape in one direction. You're just trying to scrape the high spots of the imperfection. After you make a few passes and feel comfortable, then you can start scraping in both directions (back & forth motion). Be sure to clean away residual every few scrapes.

It may take a few minutes to work the high spots down to level, but it will get there. Don't rush! You will see the high and low spots appear as you're working the sags and runs. Once you've brought the high spots down to the flat surface, then stop. Now, it's time for sanding. Get yourself a bucket of water or a spray-bottle with a little soap and fill with water. Start with 600-grit sandpaper and keep the surface wet. Sand the area your corrected and a little around it. Next, move to 800-grit sandpaper to remove the 600 scratches, then 1,200, then 1,500, then 3,000. Now, it's time for polish. You can work this by hand, but it's much easier and quicker to use a random orbital polisher. Voila, your beautiful finish is back.

[craigquik]

Thanks for posting this - just tried it out on a run I got and you'd never know it was there! So, thanks!!

[chrisdigiuseppe]

Oh this is great info man, thank you!! I just touched up a spot on my car and got a nice sag in the clear. I've got those out before with wet sanding, this looks like a great method to make sure that imperfection is flat and saves time as well.

[thewordpress]

Guy. I dint know how to thank you. Really appteciate the tip bro. I have runs and now I know what to do. Keep uploading vids. Peace

[esssparteros]

If you're new and try to do this trick I'd suggest to cover the both edge of razor with tape

[themizefamily]

I actually bought this tool with the combo but I dont think this 1 is offering the combo. An they help out extremely!!! Love this tool!!!

[zanaga]

I got runs today and noticed I used a 1.8 tip on basecoat put already put on clear and it is drying now but will have to fix it when I get some more razor blades.

[garrettguitar]

Great tip; thanks!
Are you using soap in your spray water?

[stefandenic]

Thank you for the simple and effective idea.

[fredtheveteran]

So do we just keep buffing and buffing and buffing and buffing with the compound until it finally comes back to normal?

[fredtheveteran]

Well I figured it out you just have to do a lot of buffing and I mean a lot. Came out great so I'm happy sorry for freaking out everybody

[corvetteguy]

You are a better man than me. I never go beyond 1500 grit.... But I also have pretty low standards for my body work.

[shanewatkins]

So I used a razor blade to get rid of a run in the paint successfully. At what grit do I stop sanding. I don't want to make it too slick and shiny since I need to still clear coat?

[mikenismogtr]

awesome informational video on taking out a clear coat drip. I have never tried a razor blade and will experiment today with a paint job i finished and let cure for almost 2 weeks.

[chzzyg]

This video saved my guitar project. Thanks!

[fredtheveteran]

Okay somebody help me I did exactly what this gentleman told me to do but you can still see the scratches I have sand wet sanded I have buffed I have wet sanded I have buffed those scratches don't come out how do you get them out to make it look normal again?

[dannad]

How long should I let clear dry if its around 60-65 degrees during day & 45 night, before I decide to sand & buff it out

[mohamedalhalimi]

Can o just use the razor blade and the polish it

[billknudson]

Great demo. The same technique translates to guitar finishes.

[conv]

That is a 1970-1972 Olds 442 in Viking Blue, should have shown us the whole car. That is one sexy vehicle.

[fredtheveteran]

I'm freaking out because I can't get the scratches out I did everything exactly like he said to do. Idk what to