Paint finishing?

[Bullitt]

Here is my question, correct order?

Clean model, primer, paint, clear coat, wet sand, buff, pledge?

or

Clean model, primer, paint, pledge, wet sand, buff?

 

Also, what would you use to buff after sanding??

 

 

[Snake45]

My routine is:

Body prep (removal of mold lines, deepen panel lines, and so forth)

Primer

Wet sand primer if necessary (#800 wetordry, wet)

Color

Wet-sand dust and blemishes out of color if necessary; recoat if necessary

Clearcoat

Wet-sand clearcoat with #1000 or finer

Polish clearcoat (or, if not clearcoated, color coat) with Wright's Silver Cream or similar fine abrasive polish

Clean body with toothbrush under running water to flush out all polishing compound

I don't normally use wax of any kind. IMHO in most cases it causes more problems than it solves, and with a good polish, it doesn't really add anything to the finish.

That's just one guy's way to do things. I'm sure you'll get MANY other answers.

[StevenGuthmiller]

I don't know if the "pledge" is necessary, but my routine is close to Snake's.

I only sand in between coats of primer & color if necessary & I usually use multiple coats of all 3, primer, color & clear.

I use several coats of primer to make very sure that I guard against any "crazing" of the plastic due to the fact that I'm using automotive lacquers for top coats.

I use, on average, 3 to 4 coats of color for various reasons, one of which is so I can use the "foil under paint" technique for scripts.

I also use as many as 4-5 coats of clear.

This of course is only a good idea if you're using a clear coat that doesn't go on too heavy & cover all of your detail.

I use Duplicolor "Perfect Match" in a spray can for the first few coats, & lately I've been using Duplicolor "Paint Shop" clear through an airbrush for the last couple.

I've found that the more clear I use, the less likely I am to polish through the paint anywhere during the polishing process.

I will usually sand after about 3 coats of clear to eliminate as much orange peel as possible before applying the last couple of clear coats.

As far as polishing goes, I use the "Micro Mesh" polishing kit starting with the finest grit pad possible to avoid too much scratching.

I usually get by with starting with the 4000 grit pad.

After polishing with the pads, I use Novus "Fine Scratch Remover" & then usually an automotive polish to finish off. (Currently I'm using Turtle Wax "Scratch & Swirl Remover". Seems to work pretty well)

At the end of assembly, I give it a once over with Novus "Clean & Shine" just to remove any finger prints, etc.

 

Steve

[High octane]

I use as FEW coats of primer, color, and clear as not to bury the details of the models in paint.

[StevenGuthmiller]

I use as FEW coats of primer, color, and clear as not to bury the details of the models in paint.

Depends on the type of paints you're using, & how you're applying it.

I use mostly Duplicolor products with MCW colors & I never have problems with burying details.

My average build has 4-5 coats of primer, 3-4 coats of color, & as many as 5 clear coats.

This '64 Chrysler got the full treatment.

14 coats!

No trouble with covering details.

 

Steve