Mixing the wrong clearcoat on a '67 Mustang quarter panel | Auto Body Repairers

Elizabeth Garcia · 2026-03-12T22:45:05.286883+00:00

I grabbed the wrong hardener from the shelf and didn't realize it until the finish started to orange peel like crazy. Anyone know a good way to fix this without a full strip and respray?

elliot_harris257mo ago

My uncle's shop in Toledo always said to just sand it out. I used to agree, but a bad batch of clear on my own truck taught me it's never that simple. You really might have to bite the bullet and redo it.

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joel_knight7mo ago

Hate when that happens, it's like grabbing the wrong milk at the grocery store. That little moment of not paying attention costs you way more time later. You can try wet sanding and buffing, but it might need a re-spray.

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pipergonzalez6mo ago

Yeah, Joel's right about that "wrong milk" feeling. I read a forum post once where a guy said if the orange peel is really deep, sanding just makes a cloudy mess. Might be a re-spray.

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