[RadsCougar]

I have noticed that there were a few people asking how to paint certain things.Well I build scale model cars as another hobby and have a few years of painting experience.1st off ,Your paint job will only be as good as your prep.work.You don't have to sand if you don't need to but it is a good idea to"rough"up the surface so the paint will have something to adhere too.Dont use to rough of a paper though.Make sure you Prime the surface with light coats,light coats,light coats!!!!You can wetsand between coats with 400 then 600 grit.If you dont prime 1st and use lacquer it can "etch" plastic.Also your primer color will effect your final color.(White primer of course will make yellow brighter then using grey primer etc..)Candies and pearls need a base coat of silver, gold ,black ect....
After you have fully primed your pieces.Then Start your color coats.Again the 1st coat should be just a mist coat hardly covering the piece.Wait 10 to 15mins between coats With each coat cover alittle more untill you get full coverage waiting 10 to 15mins for every coat.You can wet sand between if you feel it's alitttle "rough"or you get crap in the paint,Dust ect.Then once you have a full color coat coverage you can do a "wet"coat..Thats where the fine line comes in,thats between running and hardly any orange peel.(I would test that fine line before I tried to paint something that I didnt want to look like crap)after the paint has cured.(lacquer 2 or 3 days.enamel a good week or more).Now you can wet sand again.Very light and dont burn through the paint on the edges!!!!(Get the paint "flat"no hills or valleys)then you can clear coat it.Same way as the color coats.Once you have an ample amount of coats on it let it CURE and CURE.It needs to "gas"out..Now here is where the "trick comes in to make that paint look a mile deep with that mirror finish.There are companys that sell "polishing"kits.All it is,Is different grit sandpapaper that will take out all the hills and valleys that you might not see.you start off with "Rough" paper(3200)and and end up with 12000.Yes thats12000grit.make sure you ssand the entire piece with every grit dont skip a grit.(Again you have to be careful on the edges or you will go through the color coat to the primer)The end result will be amazing.This picture really doesnt do this paint justice.Anyone can paint like a pro with a polishing kit..An airbrush is also a plus but the same results can come from a can! Here is one place you can get the polishing kit from.www.detailmaster.com The sanpaper it on a cloth backing and last for about 4 or 5 paint jobs depending on how big of a peice you paint. Anyway I hope this helps..please eamil me with any questions you might have..also if I left anything out please feel free to add.
Rad

 

[RadsCougar]

Sorry cant attach the pic.

 

[mindtrip1016]

Could you email me the pics? I am about to paint my own body kit and hood. I have about 3 years of painting experience. I have painted electrical enclosures off and on for that amount of time. I have never painted fiberglass though. Just metal. Is there anything different in painting fiberglass compared to metal. I know that fiberglass flexes, would I need to get a special paint just for that? And what steps are involved in wet sanding? Is that sanding while the paint is still wet or using wet sand paper?

 

[mindtrip1016]

I forgot to mention my email address. [email protected]

 

[RadsCougar]

Hey Mindtrip I wasnt really talking about painting big pieces such as a body kit.You really should have that sprayed by a pro.(with a reg.sized spray gun)But as far as dash pieces headlight and taillight covers etc.. Try it you will be amazed.Remember these techniques work for me.All it is, is what car painters do when they buff with heaver to a light grit polish to get that mile deep shine..
Rad

 

[mindtrip1016]

Thank you for the pic RADSCOUGAR. That is the type of finish that I want. I don't see how it would be any different on a body kit compared to a model car. The body kit is just bigger and will take longer. I just need to see what I need to do differently to paint fiberglass. Like I said before, I have years of experience painting metal.

 

[RadsCougar]

There is no real different other then the size.But I still recommend a professional do it as it will take alot longer and hopefully it matches your the paint on your car.As far as painting fiberglass.Just make sure it is smooth and rid of flaws.Use a good primer.Paint as usual.No matter what you paint just make sure you dont get paint happy.Paint light coats always untill you get full coverage then do 1 or 2 "heaver"coats.As far as wet sanding you asked about before.It is always when the paint is dry and use LOTS of water.Also dry your piece often and check your work.When it's wet you cant really see what your doing.Later
Rad