Paint: how to polish base coat prior to clear

[Shuriken]

Hi everyone,

On Friday night, I painted my tank and side panels jet black with paint from www.paintforcars.com . It is acrylic paint. I am very happy with the results. The paint is not expensive and goes on very well, dries quickly, and it leaves a fantastic gloss.

It was windy in so. Utah (of course) and I have some things that found their way onto the surface of the base coat. What's the best way to take care of this issue?

Basically, if I were to polish/buff the base coat prior to spraying the clear coat, I think the little fibers and dust would be eliminated.

I've never buffed/polished/sanded a base coat prior to applying the clear coat because I've had such good results with the base coat.

Do you guys recommend wet sanding the base coat and if so, with what kind of paper? (1000, 2000, etc.) I want to keep that high gloss underneath the clear coat.
Ben

[underdog57]

a good paint website

I would try sanding it then re-base coat . Not sure whats reccomended , but the clear will flatten out if you wet sand it too.
What does your paint supplier/manufacturer say ??

But these guys are pretty sharp on painting...
http://www.autorestorer.com/

Also take a look at this metal shaping site ...
http://www.metalmeet.com/

Bob

[Dennyz]

If the base coat is meant to have a clear put over it, you don't want to buff it. It needs to maintain "tooth" so the clear will bond.

I would wet sand it with 600 to remove the bumps. Use a sanding pad. If you go through the base, shoot another coat of base.

Put a few of coats of clear over it, wet sanding with 2000 between each coat.

Then buff the final clear coat.

That's my $.02

[frogdink]

....help...

i have a repair manual here at napa that goes over all the solutions to all the possible problems. the book says sand with 1200 or finer grit sandpaper and then compound polish to restore gloss. but that is for the clear coat. i would say just get a small strip of 1200 grit and hold it down on the spot you need to fix apply pressure and pull towards yourself. it should get rid of all the spots, and then just apply a mist coat ofver the whole thing. check the paint companys sheet though, you may need to scuff the whole tank lightly to get the new coat to stick.

[Shuriken]

Thanks for the help and replies.

The salesman said over the phone to wet sand the base coat using 1200.

I think I'll try some kind of cloth, first, and then see what's left on the surface of the paint. I really want to avoid sanding unless I have to, but I think it's recommended so the clear will stick.

On the other hand, if I really have to, I could just spray on another coat of black and try to get luckier in the drying process. Hard for an amateur, without a paint booth, to get dust free.

You guys should check out their paint line, though. I'm impressed so far.

Ben

[79XS11F]

I'm with Dennyz on this one. I have been told that as long as your happy with the evenness and number of coats of color you just apply the clear coat to that. Myself I would use a buff-able clear coat that has been built up in many layers. A buff-able clear coat will allow you to get a real deep appearance and no worries about over spray during the application.
Rob

[cajun31]

If you sand

If you sand it, definitely spray more base coat. Those sand marks show up throught the clear coat. Don't ask me how I know.

[motoman]

Wet sand your base with 1200...........shoot again, let it 'flash' dry, and while still not completely dry, shoot again. After dry, wet sand, don't polish, shoot clear, wet sand, shoot again..and again after 'flash dry'......................wet sand clear with 1200 and then CAREFULLY power buff.................

[fredintoon]

Build a paint booth

if airborn crud settles on the wet paint you can either live with a lumpy paint job or wetsand the crud off and fizz on another coat. And if you are painting outside there's no guarantee the next coat won't get crudded too. Build yourself a temporary paint booth. 2x2s for a frame with builder's plastic stapled over it. Blow air in with an old vacuum cleaner and fer chrissake wear a good breathing mask, those paint solvents are seriously bad for your health.
Fred Hill, S'toon.

[Shuriken]

These are excellent responses. Thanks for the help. I will update with results.

Ben

[Shuriken]

I re-sanded the base coat and sprayed a new coat of black a second time. This time, I got good weather. I just clear coated today and will update when everything dries.

[skids]

pictures, Ben. We want pictures.

Originally posted by ae7f
I re-sanded the base coat and sprayed a new coat of black a second time. This time, I got good weather. I just clear coated today and will update when everything dries.

[Shuriken]

The artifacts on the paint are dust or fingerprints. These pictures are prior to washing or waxing. The paper towell is just to protect the paint.

Remember, this is urethane clear over acrylic, which worked for me.

Ben

[fredintoon]

Nice job

Hi Ben,
those parts do shine like an outhouse door on a frosty morning. A really good looking finish. For being applied outdoors,
an effin' miraculous one.
Fred Hill, S'toon.

[Shuriken]

Thanks. I'm trying to get better and to use better tools each time.

Ben