Plastic painting woes - Ford Forums

The Goodz · 01-11-2003, 19:46

I don't know a huge amount about spray painting, so maybe some experts can help me. I'm painting my door handles. This is what I've done. I sprayed them first with plastic primer. Then with spray putty, then sanded that to a smooth finish. Then plastic primer again. Then the colour coat. When I spray the colour coat it gets textured, like a spattered type texture, but very fine. If I spray the clear coat on top of that it stays textured and isn't flat and smooth like the rest of the car. I tried sanding that back with some 1200 which takes out any sheen and by the time all the texture is gone and all the sheen is off and even, it's starting to go through to the putty underneath, and leaves scratches, which after spraying with clear coat still looks crap. What am I doing wrong? I'm using spray cans, Powerplus brand.

Thanks in advance

Alex

SiX_iN_a_RoW · 01-11-2003, 22:18

First did you clean the handles thoroughly?

This is what I will be doing to mine in a few weeks

Clean handles and sand lightly, spray putty...leave to dry 1/2 day, rub back add another coat of spray putty if needed, leave that overnight, sand with P800 first ( wet rub ) then P1200 until completely smooth. Leave again for 1/2 day spray with top coat, leave 3-4 hours rub back ( wet ) with P1200 until smooth...let it dry, add a few more coats if you like. Then spray with clear, leave overnight, rub back with P1200 wet, then polish

I wouldnt be spraying your plastic primer over the top of your spray putty, there is no need. Also make sure you leave to dry thoroughly after wet rubbing as moisture will cause texturing etc
as will painting during cool or windy weather..make sure its a sunny, dry, still day and you should have no probs :)

The Goodz · 01-11-2003, 22:26

They were dry, I didn't use water. It's about 34 and clear, so weather isn't the cause. They were smooth even after I put on the plastic primer, I think it's the actual paint, I don't know what else it could be. How much help is it sanding it wet?

Alex

SiX_iN_a_RoW · 01-11-2003, 22:29

wet sanding stops your paper from clogging up which gives you a smoother, more even finish. Are the paints compatible? Are you using acrylic or enamel?
I would try spraying the top coat directly onto the spray putty and not onto the plastic primer....also did you sand the second coat of plastic primer before putting the top coat on?

Make sure you shake the top coat can well and try tipping it upseide down and spraying for a few seconds ( supposed to do this afterwards to stop the nozzle from clogging )

I would say there is a good chance the top coat is not compatible with the plastic primer

The Goodz · 01-12-2003, 00:15

I think you may be forgetting that there is a colour coat aswell, I wouldn't be putting the clear coat straight onto the putty, they would be pink then. I've just sanded them back again using water, and it worked much better. After drying them I sprayed an even but hefty coat of colour then straight out into the sun to dry. While they're not 100% perfect, they are a heap better, with little texture. Sanding was not needed after this. After they dried I put on some top coat, and now they are turning up the way I want them, so dilemma solved I think :)

Thanks heaps for your help mate :)

Alex

SiX_iN_a_RoW · 01-12-2003, 00:41

No probs, sorry when I meant top coat I meant the colour coat.
when the paint has cured give them a wet rub with 1200 to get them smooth as, then polish them to a mirror finish

eager · 01-12-2003, 02:33

are u talking about orange peel texture,? no need for clear just colour put last 2-3 coats wet on wet

bossxr · 01-12-2003, 04:24

What about using prepsol to remove grease & way right before you spray ???? This can be a major problem where paint tends not to adhere uniformly to the surface. About $10 @ Supercheap.

The Goodz · 01-12-2003, 04:54

The paint stuck no problem, just there was texture in it.

Alex

sgreatwood · 01-12-2003, 06:15

Based on reading of these posts, just put a thickish coour coat on, 1200 sand, then polish before doing the clear coat. I'm not a painter, but maybe that's the easiest way?

Simon