Spray Painting/Lacquer question

[BadBoyHouse]

I've been reading conflicting advice on spray painting - in particular relating to whether or not you should sand the spray paint before spraying on the lacquer.

What do you guys advise?

The cans of sprat paint that I have clearly state that it's best to sand the paint down with wet and dry before doing the lacquer. This does make sense to me as it should give a better finish. The cans of paint I have also advise that metallic and pearlescent (which I'm using) should have their shiny surface sanded down as well before the lacquer is put on.

 

[puckydog]

Are you saying that you are sparaying a clear lacquer over paint as a sealer or just to get shine or matt finish. If so, it shouldn't be necessary in my opinion to sand it if the paint is clean and well cured. You want to make sure you never pray a lacquer over an enamel. I routinely spray multiple coats of lacquer automotive paints over eack other and over Tamiya acrylics.

 

[vistaVision]

The cans of sprat paint that I have clearly state that it's best to sand the paint down with wet and dry before doing the lacquer. This does make sense to me as it should give a better finish. The cans of paint I have also advise that metallic and pearlescent (which I'm using) should have their shiny surface sanded down as well before the lacquer is put on.

Why would you not follow the manufacturer's recommendations?

If in doubt, shoot some paint on something and test it. I'll bet you get a better finish if you do wet sand.

 

[brimst0ne13]

heres the skinny (and i use it on guitars with superb result)

sand the part to a high grit that is non finish step. p600 auto sandpaper would work best.

wipe the part down with a cloth and rubbing alcohol (the higher % the better) to remove particulates and sanding dust.

shoot a dust layer of color(very very light spray)this spray is not meant to obtain full color coverage, just to create a surface for your paint to adhere better with less peel.

afterward, shoot a few layers of color as per instructions ( so many inches away, passing completely over before releasing button, yadda yadda yadda...)

allow to dry fully.

wetsand with the p600 so as not to gum up the paper and lubricate it instead.

rinse and repeat the process till you get your desired coats, then do the same with clear coating.

after clearcoating, wetsand with 1000, then 1500, then 2000, cleaning with alcohol between each step and checking your progress making sure you're not burning through your clearcoat into the color.

once you achieve 2000 smoothness, its on to an electric buffer and rubbing compound/polishing compound.

use it as per directions for a sleek and shiny finish. if its not good enough for ya, use swirl remover afterward.

 

[BadBoyHouse]

thanks chaps.