Hello everyone,
I have a question regarding how to make your nightshades tails shiny. I have followed the how to a few months back but never applied the clear coat until now. I'm tired of the dull look, so I got some acrylic based clear coat at pep boys and did a good amount of coats but still not shiny. Do I need to apply a ton more or does sanding it down work? If so what kind of sand paper and how do I go about this..


Thanks,
Andrew

 

Wetsanding is the trick to getting a good glossy finish.

 

Clear coat, that's what I did

 

Hmm I'm not quite sure how wet sanding works. Since I have already put the clear coat on I'm guessing that's fine but could someone let me know which tools I need to wet sand?

 

sandpaper and water.

 

2000 (or any high number) grit sand paper + H2O = wet sanding

 

What kind of clear coat did you use?

 

Okay so basicaly just go get some high grit sand paper a bucket of water and scrub gently?

 

Here use this tutorial. It shows you how to wetsand and what products to use to get a good shine.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...ead.php?t=8011

 

I just used Duplicolor clearcoat, it worked really well

 

Thanks for the tutorial links it's really useful. So I will probably end up doing something along those lines but I am also considering getting the duplicolor clearcoat considering that's the only
Brand I haven't bought . What do you guys think?

 

Hey guys gave a shot at wetsanding. Nothing really
Came about other than a smooth surface. I bought 1500 an 2000 grit paper. Soaked it in a bucket of water and a
Splash of car soap. Went at the tails with the sand
Paper for alittle and all I got was a smooth surface. Anyone know what step I'm missing?

 

Did you spray a heavy coat of clear? Or, try polishing the paint?

 

Yes I sprayed a good amount of layers clear coat the night before I wet sanded. I don't know how to polish the paint but I thought wetsanding would wok

 

I think the problem is more than likely the application of clear coat. I had to do a little bit of experimenting to make clear coat come out glossy on some projects. I do a couple of light to medium coats with 10-15 minutes in between, then a heavy coat. Basically as heavy as possible, but just light enough that it doesn't run. If you mist over it again it won't be smooth.
That's what has worked for me anyway. I hate painting stuff though.

 

Brians right. The key is to get as heavy coat of clear on there that you can. Also just wetsanding won't make it shine, you need to polish them as well to bring the gloss out.

 

Thanks everyone for responding. Brian that does make sense and I seem to have gone through the same thing. Once again thank you

 

once you wet sand you need to use a buffer and rubbing compound to make them shine. same process as when i painted my car