First timer with some questions

[Jimmy Johnson]

Ive been reading all I can but I have a few things I need to get clear before I go out and ruin my bike. lol

There is alot on here about time between coats and following the directions.

I want to do some artwork on my bike with an airbrush. I was going to do my bike with lacquer because from what ive been reading it seems to be the most forgiving.

I will do all the prep work. Then do the primer. Then spray my base color, 3 or 4 coats.

Now do I airbrush my artwork now? Do I do a light clear coat then do the artwork? It could take me weeks to do the airbrushing. Will I have problems because of the time that past?

After I get the airbrushing done I would then do 3 or 4 clear coats. Will they stick? Is there a way to do this or do I need to rush my airbrush job.

I hope this all makes sense. I have never done any painting on metal.

 

[TAZ]

Hello Jimmy,
Welcome to the Flames Board!
I would suggest doing your base color, then clearing, then resanding with 600 grit DA or you can even 1000 wetsand your clear (I would let it sit overnight or even couple of days. Then you are all set to do your airbrush work. This way, if you make a mistake while doing your work, you can easily wipe it off without damaging your basecoat.
Once you are done with your work, you are ready to clear.
Enjoy and good luck

 

[Jimmy Johnson]

Thanks Scott. Do I need to do anything to reactivate the paint before doing the clear or will it adhear OK even though 4 weeks or so have past?

 

[rex]

Ah,lacquer.This brings back tormenting memories.You have to remember 2 things for this.1-have everything in 600 before sealing,2-the longer it dries the better.Like Scott said,color it and clear it.1000 it down,do the artwork and reclear.My rule of thumb was every 2 coats got 1 day to dry before I recoated.Pushing lacquer got you shrinkage later big time.The nice thing about it was it could set for weeks sanded and a recoat will still stick no prob where bc/cc usually needs a scuff and another coat to continue (in general).Just be carefull with the maintanance.It will always be soft and suseptible to staining and etching from gas,tree sap,water drying on the surface,etc.Very high maintanance but I've yet to see urethane match the depth and luster of lacquer.You can get really close,but side by side lacquer wins every time.DON'T use staight retarder to thin it with either,not only will it take forever to really dry (make it a week per coat),but usually it will die back a month or so down the road.Just pick the thinner to match your temp when you spray.Also,don't use the el-cheapo thinner in your primer.Buy a gallon of fast color grade thinner and let 3 coats sit for 2 days before you block or final sand.It's a drawn out process,but pushing things will bite you in the *** later with shrinkage.