Spraying

shaun_04 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 06 Aug 2005 Karma :

I've recently resprayed my bike, but I have a problem: the finish on the lacquer is rough. I sanded each bit down, then applied primer, then used wet & dry, then painted, then used wet & dry, and then applied plenty of lacquer, but the finish is rough. Do I need to do something else now to get it smooth and shiny?

konsoli · Traffic Copper Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Karma :

smooth&shiny?
wey&dry for smooth..shiny..polish?

upload a pic of your bike when it's done so we can see =P

bladerunner · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Karma :

You might have needed to thin the clear coat down a bit more..but you can still mirror finish it with some wet and dry..id start with some 800 with plenty of soap to start with if its rough and you'll soon have it up to a good finish!!

shaun_04 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 06 Aug 2005 Karma :

bladerunner, I was using 1500grit, what do you think I should do to the top coat? - wet&dry and then t-cut or summat?

This is the first time that I have done painting, so would appreciate help from someone who knows for sure what he is doing.

andrew · Mister Road Rage Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

When you say plenty of laquer, how many coats did you put on?

If you put enough coats on, look into polishing compound, to get a mirror finish on mine i got polishing compound and used a pad attached to a drill. It took ages but in the end it looked pretty near showroom quality.

Big Pete · Spanner Monkey Joined: 18 Jul 2004 Karma :

G3 cutting compound form Farecla (you can get from car places) on a soft cloth plus lots of elbow grease, (or better still an electric buffer ) will bring it up.
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shaun_04 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 06 Aug 2005 Karma :

Yea, I think I put enough coats on to use the polishing/buffing method.

Thanks Andrew and Pete.

edit: The lacquer said allow 2 weeks to harden, should I buff it now, or wait another week 'til it has hardened?

Big Pete · Spanner Monkey Joined: 18 Jul 2004 Karma :

If its 2 pack I've buffed it after as little as 2 hours, and if you have proper drying gear you can do it in an hour or so. If its cellulose, best to leave it for a week or so.
____________________
Trust me, I`m an engineer
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andrew · Mister Road Rage Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

To be honest, i don't know enough about it to be able to answer that.

I know that after spraying you're meant to bake the finished piece before doing anything with polishing compound but i think it really depends on who you talk to.

If you can wait, i'd say wait and do what the can suggests but i'd be tempted to put it all somewhere hot like an airing cupboard then give it a go a few hours later.

Pete is probably the best person to ask. Very Happy