To sand or not to sand, Help...

[sampean]

To all modeling experts out there,

Do you have to sand "very minor" imperfection, i.e.: orange peel on the base coat (color coat) before applying clear coats?

or just shoot the clear coats over it and sand it down and buff after that?

I am using rattle can lacquer base spray paint, decanted and then airbrush onto the model.

Your answer is greatly appreciated. Thanks

[SuperStockAndy]

Spraying over mistakes only make them worse. Orange peel still would be noticeable even after spraying another coat over it.

Good luck

[stulee11]

in my opinion remember the simple rule ( the finish is only as good as the prep) so i would sand every coat prior to next coating

[Greg Pugh]

X2!

[LoneWolf15]

A finish coat is only as smooth and glasslike as it's basecoat . Take it up to 12000 under cold running water , lightly sanding , taking care not to burn through on the high points and edges .

Now , you are ready to lay down that mirrored glass shine with your clear !

[JustBill]

Unless its a metallic or pearl color. You can't polish or sand on those. You have to clear then polish.

[sampean]

hey thanks a lot for the answer. will try it out.

[envious8420]

or you could just turn down your air pressure a tad and maybe get a little closer to your subject while painting?

[jayhkr]

When you guys sand and go progressively finer, do you lay another coat of paint in between each sand? That would seem a little silly but thought I would ask anyway. I'm just at the beginning stages of my new model so I'm about ready to start the sanding process. I have 320-12000 grit.

[stulee11]

no you dont... when i prep the body for first primer i start with 400 and work up to 1000... then primer, then lightly sand with 3000 prior to paint and after each coat of paint i use 2500 to level out the paint... same as with the clear coat... on the last coat of clear i use 8000 up to 12000 then use the rubbing compound to bring out the shine... then i use either wax or polish to deepen the shine...

hope that helps you out

stu

Edited February 15, 2012 by stulee11

[Greg Busby]

I start with 1500 and go to 2000 I just got done doing a repair job on my Challenger that I hit with 800 grit