REFLECTOR: Striping tape; painting

[Al Gietzen]

One reason I like a base/clear system is the finishing options - 3M
finishing film disks can make my mediocre painting look great.  After
painting and drying (16 hrs)  I finish out the paint job in the following
order:

3M finishing film disks (P1200 or P1500) in my DA to smooth any orange peel,
dust nibs and runs.          

*        3M Perfect It III extra cut rubbing compound with a wool bonnet.

*        3M Perfect It II Rubbing Compound wit a wool bonnet.

*        3M Swirl Mark Remover with a foam pad.

*        Apply 2 coats of your favorite wax.

*        This yields a very flat painted surface with a high enough gloss to
show every little wave under             the paint, but a reflection deep
enough to shave in. 

OK, Joe; some questions.  Do you do this anytime after it dries?  When I
talked to the guy at the paint store today out buffing out, he said it
should the done in about the first 10 - 15 hours after application. He may
be referring to a different approach for still 'soft' coating - we didn't
pursue it.  I'd conclude that you're talking a 'hard' finish.

Isn't there risk of going through to clearcoat with all this?  For the most
part I now get a nice smooth finish except for some dust nibs.  I tested
going back with some 1500 grit and a finger tip on the dust particle, and
then rubbing that out with a cloth and it worked well.  I have some orange
peel on the upper cowl which I'd like to get out, so will pursue your
approach on that.  I'm sure there will be more - still have the lower cowl,
fuselage and wings to do.

I try to regulate material flow to the size of the area I am painting and
best atomization,  I then regulate the coat weight by using several passes
and speed of gun movement.  Also use plenty of light.

 

I've learned that shorter passes work better; less time between overlaps.

 

Hope this helps.  If you decide to use the finishing film disks, let me know
and I can offer a few tricks I have learned.

 

I'm ready for a few tricks anytime, but will probably wait with the
'correcting' process until I've finished the paint job - if that works. I
think I have a pretty good idea what I can correct later, and what I have to
sand and re-do.

Thanks much,

Al

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