painting techniques

[zilla]

HI all

I've got a small body part that I'm going to be painting using the OEM aeosol paint and clear coat cans.

Can anyone give me some tips?

The part comes pre-primered. I plan on sanding it a bit first (not sure what grit? 1000?) and degreasing it with simple green.

After that, I'll use light coats of the paint. I'm not sure what I should be doing inbetween coats tho? Should I leave the first few coats so establish a base and then wet sand inbetween coats until I have 10-ish layers and then do the same with the clear coat?

Thanks

Tim

[kgb]

I would wet sand it with 1200 grit first, then just wash it with a dish soap and water, then dry it and go over it with a tack cloth to pic up all dirt, then once it is nice and smooth and dirt free you can paint it. I would put one good layer of paint and wet sand that then the next and wet sand. I highly doubt you will need 10 coats. Then the clear coat.

[zilla]

Should I wetsand the clearcoat too?

[kgb]

hehe, I knew you would ask that. I am not toally sure on this so I did not say anything. Sorry

[IndigoGTI]

I would skip the Simple Green, I have known it to leave an oily residue. If you want to degrease, use a solvent like Varsol, or even alcohol. I am assuming this part is plastic or urethane, so stay away from acetone, or anything with acetone in it.

[jonw440]

If the paint is metallic then DO NOT wet sand or sand at all!
As for preping the part before painting, just wipe it down with something safe for plastic. Then put two or trhree light coats of primer. You can get "wet sandable" primer. Sand lightly with 600 dry. then if there a few sratches go over it again with 600 with a lot of water. You can always add more primer!You need the 600 for "tooth" for the base (color) coat to stick to. Once you are satisfied wipe it down again with alcohol. Make sure you wipe on and with another rag wipe off. Then put the color coat on in three coats. Like I said if the paint is metallic you cant sand it. It takes the tops off the small metal flakes and looks real bad. Then put the clear coat on. I would put at least 4 coats on then wet sand with 1000. The go to 1200 or 1500. Remember you can always add more clear.Dry it off and if it looks ok then buff it out and install. Good luck

[4DSC]

jonw440's comment about not sanding metallic is what I understood too, although I'm not 100% certain. It makes sense anyway. Likewise I don't think it's a good idea to sand the clearcoat or it'll make it cloudy/dull. All the sanding steps are just to make the finish flat and orange peel-free as far as I know. You'll just have to wetsand and polish the clearcoat after you're done completely.