Running out of time?

[MitchP]

Current status of paint work on my car: cleaned, prepped and primered 5 days ago. Shot 3 mist coats of base coat color 20 mins. apart. Shot 1st wetcoat 30 mins. later and discovered several dust specs and some minor fisheye (I'm very new to painting and to Testors "One Coat".

Cured paint for 4 days, then braved 1st attempt at 3600 wet sanding. Worked well. Shot a mist coat of color to cover up dulled areas from sanding and a few spots where primer got through. Waited 20 mins. then shot a close 2nd wetcoat which went on pretty thick but stuck well and actually filled in remaining remnants of the fisheye "craters" on the bottom rear 1/4.

It's been around 24 hours since then. Is it too late to shoot clear now that the body is finally done or must I wait 2-3 weeks like I've been told by some others? I've been advised that a polishing system or Future will only fade after time and that I must clear before attempting to polish.

I don't want to screw up a 4th body!!! Thanks all!

[charlie8575]

Mitch,

Experience with this paint has shown 2-3 days is generally adequate for waiting. However, if you're not entirely sure, go ahead and wait a week. It will be absolutely dry and hardened after that, but I've been able to clear it successfully after a day or two. The key is light mist coats, at least an hour between them.

Charlie Larkin

[JollySipper]

Hey, friend...

I see you have been having a little difficulty in getting your paint jobs to your liking. I had the same problems you are having until I discovered the Dupli-Color Perfect Match paints that you can get at the local auto parts store. I've never had a run or sag with this stuff, as it goes on silky smooth....

And I never mist coat anything, it's all wet coats for me, even with the primer, which I wet sand before color coats. the Perfect Match paints go on flat, so you will need a clear. Krylon Crystal Clear is probably best suited for this as it is a "cool" clear....

I'm not saying you should strip your paint and start all over, but maybe take this into consideration on your next project. Good Luck, and I hope this helps some.....

[Marc @ MPC Motorsports]

Mitch,

You should be good to go on the Testors clear.

Marc

[High octane]

On ALL my paint jobs, I usually clear the next day after spraying the color or colors coats. After that I let the body "gas out" for a couple-three weeks before polishing out the clear coats with sanding grits.

[Skydime]

Hey, friend...

I see you have been having a little difficulty in getting your paint jobs to your liking. I had the same problems you are having until I discovered the Dupli-Color Perfect Match paints that you can get at the local auto parts store. I've never had a run or sag with this stuff, as it goes on silky smooth....

And I never mist coat anything, it's all wet coats for me, even with the primer, which I wet sand before color coats. the Perfect Match paints go on flat, so you will need a clear. Krylon Crystal Clear is probably best suited for this as it is a "cool" clear....

I'm not saying you should strip your paint and start all over, but maybe take this into consideration on your next project. Good Luck, and I hope this helps some.....

Just make sure you are getting your Krylon Crystal Clear at a crafts store, not a department/hardware store. Two completely different formulas and the department/hardware store mixture is "hot" If you are not sure which to get, go to Walmart and write down the info and DO NOT purchase that one.

Edited October 2, 2013 by Skydime