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How do I get a glossy finish ?

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  • Member since
    November 2005
How do I get a glossy finish ?
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 3:38 PM
I'm almost done with my model. I've sprayed the body and it's dried to an orange peel finish. Can I use wax to cut down the peel effect and bring out the gloss ? Or should I wet sand and spray it again ? I'm using cans, not up to the air brush as of yet. Any ideas would help. Thanks Steve
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Newport News VA
Posted by Buddho on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 3:50 PM
Hi Steve...
I'ved placed spray cans in warm water ( not hot! ) for a few minutes before spraying and that has helped. I spray one light coat making sure I start and finish spraying off the model. I then spray light coats on until the overall finish is achieved. Hope this helps.

Regards, Dan

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: New Zealand
Posted by nicholma on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 3:09 AM
Your best approach is to wet sand and spray again. If the orange peel effect is not pronounced and not widespread then cutting and polishing may work. It all depends upon the severity. Polishing is actually taking a minute layer off the paint off so that will smooth the orange peel effect and remove it but if its too bad then a lot of polishing will be required and eventually you could wear through to the undercoat or worse.

I use spray cans all the time and check the surafce after each pass. If that effect is present then I'll stop immediately wait until its dry wet sand the effect out and start again. I have found that if the humidity is too high or the air temperature is too cold then this effect may occur. Mist the first coats on also helps (ie holding the can further away from the model - it takes much more paint but is worth it). Only apply the final coat as the "wet" coat, this coat will provide your glossy finish.
Kia ora, Mark "Time flies like the wind, fruit flies like bananas"
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 4, 2004 1:51 AM
I use spray cans myself but the final effect is still not as glossy as those you find in magazines. I've been told to use gloss clear as an overcoat and wax it. Will it help? Yet to try it myself. And what type of wax can I use?
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: East Bethel, MN
Posted by midnightprowler on Thursday, March 4, 2004 4:37 AM
I use a polishing kit and Novus #2 polish.
Lee

Hi, I am Lee, I am a plastiholic.

Co. A, 682 Engineers, Ltchfield, MN, 1980-1986

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

Ask me about Speedway Decals

  • Member since
    December 2003
Posted by Enzo_Man on Saturday, March 6, 2004 12:33 AM
Hey dude! I have the same problem all the time. I use automotive paints. I spray several mist coats then lightly wetsand. Then a wetcoat, wetsand. Then another wetsoat, and wetsand again. It takes awhile to paint like this. But it help cut the orange peel ALOT. Then for the high, pretty shine I use Maquires Three Step Polishing system. OOOOOOhhhhh.... pretty. It takes me about four days just to paint a body. Put hey, it all looks good.
Aerodynamics is for people who can't build engines.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Piedmont Triad, NC (USA)
Posted by oldhooker on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 12:03 AM
VAPGULFVET,

In your case, if it were me, I would attempt sanding it down, as much as possible without compromising detailing. ie: plastic trim, name, door handles, etc. If doing that doesn't seem to be working for you, here's what you can do; Mask the window openings, chrome bumbers, etc, and spray on a coat of Easy Off Oven Cleaner. The next day, WIPE off the old paint with a cloth until you are down to the bare plastic.

Now I know there are many procedures that will produce a great finish, here's the one that works for me, and can be accomplished with materials you can get from any good retail store:
1) Clean the plastic with light detergent & water and DON'T touch the bare plastic again unless you wear rubber gloves.

2) Using a can of Testors spray paint, make several light coats until a uniform color has been achieved, then cover the body with a box to prevent lint from getting on it. (light coats prevents build-ups.dripping)

3) After completely dry (at least two days), apply a coat of Testors Gloss Coat and allow to dry at least two days.

4) Apply any decals on the "slick" surface. (eliminates decal clouding)

5) Apply the second & final coat of Gloss Coat and allow to dry for at least four days.

6) Apply some type of cream wax in tiny amounts... (generally I rub a cloth of wax on something else, then rub the car down with the same rag. This way, you don't have to worry about caking it in the seams)

The result is a beautiful deep finish, where the decals will appear to be PART of the paint job, instead of stuck to it.

Example:
http://gunsagogo.org/allisonfinish.jpg

Like I said, there's many techniques, but this one works just fine, and uses materials that's readily available.

Take care,
Frank

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Shrewsbury, UK
Posted by Martsmodels on Friday, March 12, 2004 6:39 AM
You can usually see if you are going to get the orange peel effect long before the paint is dry - if not you are probably getting a reaction with the plastic - in this case be sure to use a good plastic primer first. The paint will smooth out nicely by applying heat from a hair dryer (use it on the primer too - it will save a lot of time when rubbing it back for a smooth finish before applying the top coats). Set the dryer on hot and play it over the paint directly after spraying (don't hold it in one place too long - you don't want to melt the model!). The paint will soften and you should see it smooth out. When the paint is thoroughly dry an ordinary cutting compound followed by Novus #2 should do the trick.
Happy polishing>

Cheers
Martin http://www.freewebs.com/martsmodels/
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