6 replies to this topic

[Mart8V]

I have been gradually spraying up a new door (off the vehicle) and despite lightly sanding down between coats I am getting a matt rather than gloss effect. Is this normal? I have tried to build it up in light coats but am now concerned that I may have gone too light.

Any advice?! I will obviously cut and polish later on but the finish is miles away from the pro finish on the front wings and A-Panels and I am worried it will just not look right.

Edited by Mart8V, 30 November 2009 - 01:59 PM.

[Guess-Works.com]

Is it a metallic ?

[Pooky]

I tend to put a slightly heavier (although not so heavy it will run) top/final coat on. Seems to work ok for me but I'm no expert.

As you said you'll be cutting/polishing later and a problem that can occur with rattle cans is that the paint isn't thick enough and you polish through it, especially on edges, ridges etc...

[cobblers]

Getting a good finish from an aerosol is tricky. There isn't a wide window between rough and runs, especially on vertical surfaces.
Try applying the coats a little heavier. You shouldn't really need to flat the paint between each coat - Flat the primer, then add 3 or 4 coats spaced approx 20 minutes apart. You need to find the sweet spot where the paint is applied heavy enough to self level to a smooth finish, but not so heavy that you get runs or sags.
Laying the door on the floor will make this a lot easier.

If the colour is metallic you don't need to be quite so fussy with the basecoat - It needs to be even, but you don;t need to get a great sjine from the gun. Don;t sand the metallic basecoat at all.
Then add the lacquer - 3 or 4 good coats.

If you err on the side of caution and end up with a rough finish of paint or lacquer (you don't need to lacquer a non-metallic colour) You can flat it back gently with a 1500/2000 paper (avoid Halfords sandpaper, it's really poor quality) and then hand buff this up to a shine using a rubbing compound (Farecla G3 or similar. Autoglym paint renovator works well but would be expensive over much of an area.

If you are painting in the cold (outside or a cold garage) you'll never get a good finish. The same goes for if the paint cans themselves are cold.

Warm the painting area up as much as practical (aim for 10-15degrees c) and warm the paint cans up in a bowl of hot water before use. This will thin the paint and greatly increase the a spraying pressure. Both will help the paint run out to a good finish.

[Mart8V]

Thanks for all the tips. It is not metallic and the garage is poss slightly on the cool side but heaters are now on. Had the paint in front of the blower for 15 mins before applying last coat. Suspect from your comments that I might just have to go a little heavier and try to avoing runs etc. Door is already off and being painted on the level.

Fingers crossed for next layer!

[wassupcrew]

are you sure its a gloss colour you've got i.e 2k or have you got a can of basecoat because with basecoat you will need laquer to give it a gloss finish

[oli]

I'd say its too cold for painting. The dull finish should buff out after it dries in 2010.