Can Testors One Coat be sanded?

[wdcav]

I just used a couple of these One Coat laqcuer colors and before I clear it, I was hoping to smooth out the finish some. Thought it'd help the clear look and feel better if the color layer wasn't as grainy.

Can the metal flake colors (like fiery orange) withstand some mild sanding? Say with 6000 grit or so.

[RodBurNeR]

you really should not sand ANY metallic paints. they start looking like the belly of a trout!

however....it depends on the part you want to sand, i would not sand anything that is a noticable area if it was me.

what happens is, the actual color is sanded away exposing more of the metal flakes , making it look strange and it will show up trust me.

if you want to smooth it out more like glass? hit it 3 times with clear coat and wet sand the clear...it will level out. i do all of my shiny paint jobs that way.

hope this helps.

[Gregg]

Sorry, Bob, you can slap me in Toledo

I sand all my metallic finishes, but I start with #8,000 grit at least, if not higher.

[MrObsessive]

I too have sanded metallics, but very, very lightly with a #6000 cloth and work up. Just enough to get rid of any dusties, then I clearcoat and then rub that out.

Bob's right though as depending on the paint, rubbing out metallics can lead to a swirly, mottled appearance. The only exception to that so far has been my '55 Ford when I had to repaint the roof recently.

I did rub out the roof somewhat with polishing cloths, and then waxed it--------------No swirly appearance to be found.

[wdcav]

I too have sanded metallics, but very, very lightly with a #6000 cloth and work up. Just enough to get rid of any dusties, then I clearcoat and then rub that out.

Bob's right though as depending on the paint, rubbing out metallics can lead to a swirly, mottled appearance. The only exception to that so far has been my '55 Ford when I had to repaint the roof recently.

I did rub out the roof somewhat with polishing cloths, and then waxed it--------------No swirly appearance to be found.

I thank all 3 of you for your opinions. It's not so much I want to sand the metallic color, but more like MrObsessive said, I need to take out some slight blemishes, possible dust specks, and there are some random metal flakes standing up out of the paint and it gives it an odd look.

I'll just rub it down very gently with some 12,000 to see if I can work some of these out.

Thanks all.

[Raul_Perez]

Yes, you can color sand the metallic paints to smooth out the surface, but you have to reapply a thin color coat to regain the correct appearance before you spray the clear. Otherwise you'll end up with what Bob described as a "belly of a trout" apperance.

With the Testors lacquers, that's actually my preferred method. Once the base color coat is well established and color sanded, the subsequent coats seem to go on much smoother and shinier.

Good luck,

[samdiego]

mmmmmmm, trout bellies