Newbie issues with clear finish

[skinnyhoops]

Newbie here heads up.

Also I'm using Tamiya lacquer rattle cans.    

So, first used Tamiya grey primer, waited about an hour, then sprayed Tamiya black (TS-14).  About two weeks later I sprayed it with Tamiya clear (TS-13). Although I didn't sand this model, the finish came out really weird after spraying the clear?  The pic is a closeup of the top after spraying clear.  Any ideas?  I'm still learning technique and will learn to wet sand too one day...just wondering if this weird finish is because I didn't sand ?  

[65slotcar]

did  it look  ok after  tamiya black?    if  you use  a primer or base coat that is acrylic  and then spray  lacquer clear over  that you may have problems.  if all paints  are lacquer no problem.  but lacquer tends to bite  into acrylic  and cause problems.   it almost looks like orange peel from using  spray cans.   i use  Zero paint  brand primer and base coat with airbrush. then i use automotive   House of Kolor  clear (acrylic  urethane)   now my base coat may be lacquer  but  acrylic urethane  is ok to use on top  of  lacquer.      i know an  airbrush  and Zero paint may be expensive,  but they do work well.  i would at least think of getting  an airbrush  to get a finer mist  and smoother finish.   i hope this helps you out some what.

Edited February 28, 2020 by 65slotcar

[skinnyhoops]

Primer and base coat were both lacquer.  Yeah the base coat turned out good and I thought a coat of clear would really bring out some shine but I was a little disappointed with the texture.   That reflection is suppose to be a ceiling fan in the picture.  lol 

[Plowboy]

It could be from spraying the black over the primer after only an hour of drying time. Did the black look like that before or after the clear? I always spray primer, wait a day, sand, spray paint, wait a day, sand and then clear. I would sand it smooth with 1000 grit sandpaper. If you go through the paint, just spray your black and allow it to dry well before you shoot the clear. If you don't sand through, you can just shoot clear over it.

Edited February 29, 2020 by Plowboy

[skinnyhoops]

I think it was the texture of the primer showing through the layers, because I didn't sand the model at all.  I wet sand the model tonight and resprayed with black again.  This black finish now looks better than the previous black finish, so that's why I think it was the primer not being sanded that caused my whole mess.  

Your method of waiting a day and sanding after each step sounds more ideal....I'll try that.