Full Sand & Polish
Orange Peel Removal & Wet Sanding in Modesto, CA
Orange peel is the bumpy, textured look in a paint finish, and it is removed by wet sanding the clear coat flat and then polishing it back to gloss. Skylab Ceramic Details does full sand and polish work in Modesto, guided by a digital paint thickness gauge. Call (209) 871-7060 for a free quote.
- 4.9 from 80 Google reviews
- GYEON Certified
- Owner on every car
Starting price: Free quote
Why people bring their cars to Skylab
- Wet sanding levels texture for sharp, clear reflections
- Paint thickness gauge readings guide every panel
- Sanding work shown on Skylab's YouTube channel
- Free quote after an in-person paint check
Schuyler (Skylar) Ricketts works on every car himself, in a studio built for paint: hexagon lighting, digital paint gauges and infrared curing.
What is orange peel?
Orange peel is texture left in paint when it is sprayed, named for how it looks like the skin of an orange. It is common on factory paint and on many repaints. You see it as wavy, blurry reflections, especially on dark colors. It is not damage, but it keeps paint from looking like glass, and polishing alone usually will not remove it.
How wet sanding removes it
The clear coat is sanded with fine abrasive paper and water until the surface is flat. That removes the high points of the texture. Then the panel is compounded and polished to take out the sanding marks and bring back gloss. Done right, reflections go from wavy to sharp. It is slow, careful work, and it cannot be rushed.
Want it done right the first time?
Send a photo or two and tell us about the car. Free quote, no pressure.
Why measurement matters
Sanding removes clear coat, and clear coat does not grow back. Before sanding, Skylar checks each panel with a digital paint thickness gauge so he knows how much material there is to work with. Edges and body lines are done lightly or left alone. If a car does not have enough clear coat for a safe sand, he will tell you.
Questions
Can orange peel be removed from factory paint?
Often yes, if the clear coat is thick enough. Skylar measures the paint first. Factory finishes vary, so some cars can be leveled fully and others only partly. You get an honest answer after the inspection, before any sanding starts.
Is wet sanding safe for my paint?
It is safe when the paint is measured and the work is controlled. The risk is removing too much clear coat, especially on edges. That is why Skylar uses a digital paint thickness gauge and studio lighting, and goes light on thin areas.
How much does orange peel removal cost?
It depends on how many panels, how much texture and how hard the paint is. A full sand and polish is a big job. Skylab gives free quotes, so call (209) 871-7060 to set up a paint inspection.
Should I ceramic coat after wet sanding?
Yes. After a sand and polish the paint is as flat and glossy as it will ever be, and a coating helps protect that work. Skylab installs GYEON Infinite and nano graphene coatings, with GYEON packages starting at $1,000.
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See Why People Drive to Skylab
Call, text or send the form. Schuyler answers personally and limits how many cars he takes each month.