enamel paint

[abkrdude]

I posted this question with out any answers to it this last weekend, but I am anxious to finish... question was, it was recommended in the "how to" section to final wet sand followed by some buffing, does this apply to all types of paint? In particular clear coat enamel? If so does the same procedures also apply as well as the same buffing compounds?

 

[trikypaint]

When ever I painted and clear coated vehicles with enamel I would only have to machine buff the clear with Meguiar's Fine-Cut Cleaner(No.2) if needed or Swirl Remover (No.9) then polish with Machine Glaze(No.3) (Machine Applied) or ShowCar Glaze(No.7) (Hand Applied).
Another route is wet sand with 2000 sandpaper, buff W/Swirl Remover(No.9) then use ShowCar glaze(No.7) the outcome is the wet look.
Hope this helps~Edde

 

[rex]

What brand and type of enamel are you using?I could be pissing in the wind here because I haven't played with the clears (or used enamels in years),but buffing enamels (acrylic included) can be bad.As the paint cures the protective resins rise to the top.Once you buff it you're thinning it down and it will haze and chalk out prematurely.If you lightly buff a dirt nib it isn't so bad,but if you really sand and buff it it goes quick.I don't know if the clear reacts the same as color,but I hope someone does know,I'm curious.

 

[abkrdude]

Rex, I buffed mine after nearly a week of cure time. I got the haze look from buffing

The tank looks polished, but doen't have the deep deep shine it had before. So I would agree with you on this, if I had to do it over again, I would not have buffed, maybe just hand polished with the finest compounds first. Then overall it might have been more work to get a good buffed finish, but atleast then it wouldn't have cut the finish too fast like maybe you suggested can happen.

 

[Mac_Muz]

abkrdude, what would happen if you shot another coat of clear on the hazy one? Mac

 

[rex]

I'm with Mac,scuff it down and reclear it.The haze is probably from compound that was imbedded in the finish.I forgot to mention hardner.Without it the finish is really soft.

 

[Mac_Muz]

Rex, he can't use a hardener, as I believe he is using air plane model paints and clears (testors). I am too.... Or will be soon.

I have right now a white pained tank with 4 light coats of clear, that add up to about 1 coat. Both white and clear are plast-kote enamel.

As soon as the shower, yeah shower, is dry from this mornings use, I will re hang plactic, and shoot more clear.

This shower is not any common shower, and is extremly small, so I have the rear bolt down for the tank holding the tank on a hook and swivel, with the front of the tank facing straight down...

Right now the surface looks pretty good, and I am not sure if I should sand, or shoot as is. The finish so far looks like orange skin up close.

With either sanding, or just building the coat done. I will begin to cut a mask for "Liberty" (the face and part of the crown)which will go directly on top of the clears. Also a plasti-kote enamel.Then clear over her.

When that part is done, I will clear (plasti-kote) and probably sand out with 1000, or 1200 grit.

At that point....if I ever get there....

The tank will get a plasti-kote white icing below the gas cap, and above it a sapphire blue(testors) over paper stars that I hope will come back off with a water washing, and Then lay out for testors cand red stripes over the white plasticoat white icing, and "Liberty", and finish with testors clear... I gotta be nuts! Mac