Those who've painted ...

[01svtL]

For anyone who has painted pieces on their 4R themselves, have you gotten it to polish out and be as reflective as the rest of the body? I don't know what it is, but I've now painted the mirors and the center grill piece to match the body. The color itself is a near-perfect match. However, even after running my PC 7424XP over it several times with Poor Boys Pro Polish and then a carnuba wax, it still isn't as reflective as the factory paint on the rest of the body. What gives? Does it need more clear? A different kind of clear maybe? Should I have wet sanded before polishing?

I used the Duplicolor Perfect Match paint and clear spray cans.

 

[gaterose]

I can't paint for $hit so i got my friend to paint my silver bumper pieces with the same duplicolor paint and it worked out great.

He sanded it lightly with some 150 or 220 I think, wiped off w paint thinner, waited a few minutes then painted.

It says to do light coats 8-12" away 5-10 min apart. He said he knew what he was doing and thick coats only 3-5" away about 2-4 minutes apart. He also did the clear the same way. He used 2 full cans on just that small silver piece and a full can of clear (so 4 cans for front and rear plus 2 cans of clear). It looks great! and it's just as silky smooth as the rest, no runs.

When I tried before he came over mine wasn't smooth. He said it was because I was following the directions on the can. He said holding it close and spraying thick made it smooth and glossy, I guess you just have to know when it's too thick. It usually runs on me when I try.

edit: I used his method when I painted a headlight trim piece and it came out smooth and shiny but did have one small run that is only noticeable in certain light.

 

[01svtL]

I can't paint for $hit so i got my friend to paint my silver bumper pieces with the same duplicolor paint and it worked out great.

He sanded it lightly with some 150 or 220 I think, wiped off w paint thinner, waited a few minutes then painted.

It says to do light coats 8-12" away 5-10 min apart. He said he knew what he was doing and thick coats only 3-5" away about 2-4 minutes apart. He also did the clear the same way. He used 2 full cans on just that small silver piece and a full can of clear (so 4 cans for front and rear plus 2 cans of clear). It looks great! and it's just as silky smooth as the rest, no runs.

When I tried before he came over mine wasn't smooth. He said it was because I was following the directions on the can. He said holding it close and spraying thick made it smooth and glossy, I guess you just have to know when it's too thick. It usually runs on me when I try.

edit: I used his method when I painted a headlight trim piece and it came out smooth and shiny but did have one small run that is only noticeable in certain light.

Have any good pics?

 

[gaterose]

Just all the ones in my build thread and member picture album... Nothing any closer up.