Any help or advise

So I've gone this far on my Satoshi grille mod. But the only problem that I got is the paint not being smooth like factory. It feels like fine sand paper. What I did was sand with 400 than 600, prime-5 lite coats than sand again with 600, 5 coats of dupli color mathing paint, finally 3 coats of clear coat sealer. what you guys think I've done wrong? Should I just re-sand it with 600 and just repaint it again? It's just the inner part of the grille that I'm talking about. any advise is greatly appreciated

 

Use finer grit sandpaper?

Maybe 800 or larger

 

I am guessing you sprayed this with a rattle can. What was the temp and humidity when you sprayed this? Also was it is a closed room/ garage? I am guessing it was too humid and temp to high possibly.

What happens is the complete paint surface is not wet and the grit you are getting is paint that dried quickly.

Even being a small part it is hard to spray and get good results with a aerosol can.

You can try wet sanding it with 1000 then 1500 and then use a compound/glaze. All paint spray needs to be cut and buffed. Only paint jobs that are not are the factory jobs which leave alot to be desired (ie orange peel)

You will not get a factory job out of a can.

I did mine with a can and used two cans at a time to keep the surface wet and it is still not the same as a real spray gun. Mine is decent but not factory like.

 

lj973gm- yup dupli color match spray can from oreilly. temp was around 86 and humidity 76. backyard open garage if that makes sense.

Will using any primer do any good after sanding with 1000 and 1500, or don't use it at all? What's the compound glaze you're talking about?

 

You have a few options

#1
Try to went sand and then buff but I am not sure it will give that great of results in the end.

#2
Wait for it to cure after a couple of days and then sand it smooth and repaint

#3
I am guessing this was originally a chrome grill that you wanted to color match? Depending how you prepped it you can likely strip it back to the chrome of raw plastic.

When I sprayed mine, I got impatient and cleaned my garage and put it in a bad spot. Someone at my house knocked it over and I had to repaint it. Since I just scuffed the chrome with a 150 grit sand paper I knew using some thinner and degreaser would bring it back down to the chrome. So I used alot of rags and took off all the work I just did and then resprayed it.

The temp and humidity you sprayed it at likely caused your problems. The only other way for a rough coat is holding the can too far away. About 8-10" works best.

I cannot remember the brand of paint I used but one of the first brands I tried did not match. Might want to check to see your color to see how well it matches before you use the same paint again.

I scuffed the chrome, sprayed adhesion promoter since it is plastic, then primer, then two coats color, then 4 coats clear so it would have enough to buff.
Best of luck

 

More than likely you have overspray on the inner portion. You should be able to wet sand with 1000 grit and recoat with clear. Make sure you spray away from the face of the surround or you will end up messing that part up with overspray.

 

you are laying down dry coats. you need a wet coat to finish, allow tack time between coats and finish with a wet coat.

 

lj973gm- I'll try one of those options. answer to #3- it's actually just the inner part of the grille, which was factory black. maybe this time I'll hold the can closer. used Dupli-Color, color match spray paint. color code 1E7, same as factory. so best bet for me is to actually do this during the night, where the temp and humidity is a lot lower?

Raz4back- I actually took out the surround when I did the whole prep and painting. so it'll actually just come smoother just by sanding and then applying a clear coat?

Leggo- how do I lay down a wet coat of paint?

sorry for the noob questions guys, I just ain't no pro of a painter. honestly this was b*** to work on. but I've learned a lot getting to this point. thanks for all the advise

 

It's a feel thing mostly. You want to slightly slow down with the stroke just enough to get the paint to lay down, then flow out smooth. The challenge is not putting down too much paint causing runs. This is for the finish coat only.
To start,1st put down semi dry(orange peel slightly) coats and let them set a bit before the next coat(15 minutes?). With each coat, the previous layer helps cure the newest without running. After enough paint is down, you lay down a wet coat to get it all to flow out glossy.
It will help to practice on something else first. Good luck, you will spray like a pro in no time.

 

When I did my surround the edges were rough. I wet sanded until they were smooth and laid down a couple of coats of clear and it came out perfect. As long as you don't sand through the clear it should be fine. As Leggo said, your final coat of clear needs to be thicker as well.

 

I feel a very good paint job is easily possible with a rattle can. I have painted hundreds of things and enjoyed professional results. Only larger items are easier with a spray gun and compressed air, heat booth, respirator, and down draft air flow.

 

When I was putting the final touch on my Satoshi I used 2000 grit.

 

Thanks again guys for all the advise. I'll take my time doing this, since my mesh grille doesn't come in till this saturday, hawaii sucks a** when it comes to shipping. I'll update you guys when I'm done, w/ some pic.

Leggo- sorry bro but I'm at a lost on what a "orange peel" is?
Casey05Taco- dang 2000 grit.

 

the surface of an orange peel is a little "bumpy" in texture. Thats what a coat of paint is like before flowing out to high gloss. good luck bro. Never use 2000 grit, way overkill.

 

Oh, I understand now. Yups I already got myself 1000 and 1500 grit. Thanks again