Need help with laquer paint

[keone2013]

Hi guys. I need help with laquer spray paint. Do I wet sand it after I put it down or do I just clear coat it? I already primered it and have the paint down. Just letting it dry. Also do I use the micro-mesh polishing kit, followed by the polishing compound?

[MAGNUM4342]

Some guys will wet sand and then clear coat, others will clear coat, then wet sand that and polish. I prefer to wet sand, clear coat, wet sand again then polish.

[Ace-Garageguy]

In SOME cases with SOME metallic lacquers (the ones with the little sparklies in them) you DON'T want to wetsand before clearcoating, so getting a good, slick, no-orange-peel final color-coat is a good skill to master.

Sanding of SOME metallics WILL create a blotchy finish, as the metallic particles may get uncovered unevenly. Test your particular paint to see if this is an issue.

[keone2013]

Ok. Thanks guys. I just have the gloss black laquer.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Ok. Thanks guys. I just have the gloss black laquer.

Then you don't even really need clear. This is straight black lacquer...

[Art Anderson]

To add to what Bill said, this too was airbrushed in Tamiya Gloss Black lacquer, then simply polished out with MicroMesh flannel polishing cloth and their liquid polishing compound, and once the foil trim was done, waxed with carnuba wax:

My secret for finishes like this one? SMOOTH surface to begin with, using an airbrush with properly thinned paint, and after a bit of practice over the years, PATIENCE.

Art

[keone2013]

I used the dupli color lacquer, so it dried to a semi dull. I have to put a clear coat on it

[ScaleDale]

Sanding a final color coat is usually reserved for resolving finish issues like dust specks or orange peel. If the surface is smooth and shiny, you're done. If not, as in your case, then clear it.

Note: Shiny and glossy aren't the same thing. Look at it from an angle in a strong light. If the surface is clean and smooth, that's what I mean by shiny here. Youst I am not...

Dale

[Ace-Garageguy]

To add to what Bill said, this too was airbrushed in Tamiya Gloss Black lacquer, then simply polished out with MicroMesh flannel polishing cloth and their liquid polishing compound, and once the foil trim was done, waxed with carnuba wax:

My secret for finishes like this one? SMOOTH surface to begin with, using an airbrush with properly thinned paint, and after a bit of practice over the years, PATIENCE.

Art

Wow Art, that is really pretty. Did I miss the build thread on it? Just beautiful...wow.

[Art Anderson]

Wow Art, that is really pretty. Did I miss the build thread on it? Just beautiful...wow.

I only put up a couple of WIP shots of this one, in the "Workbench" section. Those were of the interior, explaining the paint process there that I found to be a perfect success.

Art

[carrucha]

Sweet build Art.