Depth question ...

[AirArt]

This is for Scott mainly but open to anyone. Scott, you mentioned in a reply that depth is achieved by sanding and buffing a flat surface. I've seen finishes that look like you can reach into them but can't quite get the same affect in my own work.
How do you get those really "deep" looking results?

Thanks,
Phil

 

[Stretch]

Kandies really help get that feel. Probably because you're looking thru the clear and the kandy to the base where-as on solid colors you just have basecoat/clearcoat. A good quality buffing job helps quite a bit too.

-Stretch

 

[hoss]

slight shadows in the correct place add a lot of depth as well.

kandies over graphics look real deep

 

[rex]

The amount of clear has to do with it too.A normal 2 or 3 coats buffed out look nice but you just get a standard appearance.If you scuff that first clearing down and reclear it you will get more depth to it.When you sand it to buff just level it out and sand off as little as possible,the less you remove the more depth you have.You can lay the clear to it to really get serious depth,but you have to know the purpose of the paintjob.On a well cared for and protected vehicle it's not a huge problem,but on an everyday ride that see's lots of sun and weather,it'll go to crap in no time.