Clear coat on race plastics

[Vampyre]

I am rattle can painting my Optima racing plastics. I sanded, primered and painted, and all looks great.
The problem is my clear coating over the semi flat black paint. I am using Krylon gloss clear coat, and it provides some dull spots, as well mostly glossy finish.
No matter how many layers, or how even I spray, I still get these dull spots.
I am thinking of switching to semi gloss or flat clear coat.
Anyone experience this, or have ideas?

 

[betarace]

the clear needs to be compatible with the color coat... is one a laquer and one an enamel? could be an issue.. also, did you let the color coat set up (a week or so) in a 65+ degree dry environment?

I found that a light wet sand of the base (after a long cure time) and a clean prep (no fingerprints or wax) using a surface prep works wonders.

Also, let the clear set up a very long time (again 2 weeks) in a dry environment, wet sand to a dull haze with 1200-2000 paper and then a power buff with a polishing compound works miracles...

time and cleanliness are your friends

 

[sobottka]

these dull spots (along with the rest of the body) probably need wet sanded and polished to have a uniform shine, thats the nature of lacquer

 

[JVance]

Sounds like dry spots to me. Spray cans are really hard to get on wet enough to avoid dry spots without running.

 

[Booty Freak]

Personally, I think clear coating a rattle can job is over kill.
I did up my bike with $40 bucks worth of Krylon Fusion from Wal Mart.

 

[jimmeigs]

I agree. You bike certainly passes the 5', blurry photo test!

 

[Booty Freak]

jimmeigs;42075 wrote: I agree. You bike certainly passes the 5', blurry photo test!

Ouch :argh:

 

[gkotlin]

Just use Krylon. If your not going to use a good clear coat, then don't bother. Automotive clear with hardner will work great. Can clear is just crappy clear rattle can paint. It didn't do a bit of good on my bikes.

 

[aowens2]

Personally, I don't think you can beat the flat black job with a stick, whatta ya think? Took maybe 4 hours total to strip decals, sand by hand, primer, and put on a couple layers.

"A SCUFF!! OH NO! WHAT TO DO? JUST HIT THAT PUPPY UP WITH A SHOT OF FLAT BLACK, AIN'T NO PROBLEM!"

 

[Rick Johnson]

I agree that a clear coat on a spray paint job is kind of a waste of money.I went with Dupi color
glossy black.It's not the greatest paint but when I was finished it actually looked decent with a
pretty good shine without a clear coat.

 

[jimgl3]

correct me if i'm wrong... but isn't the clear coat needed to protect the paint from fuel spills? i didn't put 5 cans of it on mine to get a shine, but to protect the paint from fuel spills. ????

unless of course you're painting it with an engine enamel...

 

[ronhix]

I'm gonna get my bikes wrapped this year. I've struggled with paint every year and have had mixed results. It's pretty inexpensive so I'm gonna give it a try.