10 replies to this topic

[Akshay]

Hi I've just tinted my rear lights and applied a coat of lacquer and waiting to wet and sand before adding more coats. The problem is that the finish still looks matt with the lacquer applied and also not mirror smooth to the touch.

I've noticed from past experience that spraying much heavier coats does help but this almost always causes runs lumps.

What else will help please?

[In-a-mini]

its practice really sounds like you are putting it on far too dry try not hitting it with a wet coat straight away but do a coat like you have leave to flashoff then a second coat like you have but pass straight over the top light with another coat watching the surface to see how its going on. Its all to do with what you see and how you react to it. How are you painting it with a can or a gun?

[Akshay]

Painting it with Halford Clear Lacquer Spray. So do you mean to spray a second coat whilst the first is still wet?

[In-a-mini]

no i meant to let it flashoff which means go tacky before applying the second coat.

[Akshay]

Oh right ok now I'm with you. I tried that but I still get the same matt finish. I get a smooth gloss over the sections which I didn't tint, but where I tinted the finish is Matt, so I'm stuck as to why that is.

Will a cutting agent and an orbital work?

[panelbeaterpeter]

Halfords aerosol lacquer is 1K, which generally always dries a bit matt. Give it a buff up with rubbing compound, you'll likely rub through if you try flatting it with paper, and it'll go glossy, unless you've applied it from about four foot away.

[Akshay]

Thanks, I'm waiting for some 2000 grit wet and dry to arrive from a mate as I couldn't find any in the local motor factors! I finished off with 1500 wet and dry then 2 coats of lacquer sprayed from the recommended 10-12 inches. The product I bought for buffing out scratches was Meguires Plastic-RX which is mean to buff out scratches from headlamps. I also have some scratchX at home - shall I use that instead.

Is it right in assuming I should only use rubbing compound after a few day to allow the lacquer to harden properly.

The trouble is I can get a glossy finish if I spray alot closer but that always ends up with runs!

[panelbeaterpeter]

1k will be dry enough to polish after being left overnight, saying that I've polished it after 20 minutes and it's been fine.. I have no idea what Platic-RX is, but it sounds like it's be a course rubbing compound, so seems about right. I would try it with that alone before flatting it.

[Akshay]

Hi thanks for the response I tried with that on a small area and it didn't make much difference. Can an orbital device and a cutting compound bring out the shine better?

[mini_mad69]

Spray them from the inside? keep the plasitc shine.

[Akshay]

Hi thanks but they've already been sprayed so just need help on getting a mirror shine in the lacquer.