Need help with getting a mirror finish on plastic?
Question:im spray painting on plastic. im using gloss black krylon fusion.
first i wet sanded using 800 grit sandpaper, put the primer, again wet sanded with 800 then put 2 thin layers of black, wet sanded with 1500 then another coat. on one of the pieces, i was able to almost finish. i put the clear coat, but i noticed the black that orange peel look so i had to sand it again.
am i doing it properly? how do i avoid getting the orange peel? and when i get to the 2000 grit paper, how do i sand it? very lightly as in no pressure, or just normal?
Answers:
Ya gotta have an ultra smooth base to work with.
Spray on a light coat of sanding sealer then sand off until only the depressions are grey. Do it again and again until when you sand, it becomes a uniform gray surface with absolutely no dips.
Fog on a light coat of finish, then rotate the piece 90 degrees and do it again. Very light coats.
After building about 4 or 5 coats and it looks uniform, wet sand lightly with about 600 grit.
clean and rinse, and put on another set of fog coats. remember to maintain a wet edge as you make the passes.
let is set up and rub with 1000 grit.
Another cleaning and coating ceremony while repeating the mantra - ideal distance, ideal smooth flow speed, bring the spray on before you meet the surface and keep it on until after you pass over the end of the surface.
let it set up hard.
Use light amounts of pumice or body paste to shine it up, or just wax if it FEELS smooth. Your hand can tell much better than your eyes if a surface is really smooth.
easy answer to orange peel... it is caused by moisture in the air, if possible use a dehumidifier for a couple of days in the room that you are using before you paint. if you are using a paint gun instead of a paint can use a air/oil separator and if possible drain your air compressor prior to painting.
Just checking are you sure it was the black that oranged or was it the clear coat. If it was the clear coat then you dont want to go down past the clear coat. You will be able to tell by the color of the paper when you are sanding. If you are getting more black water then grey on your paper then you went to far and you will have to take it all down. You will also be able to tell what level or layer the peel is on as you sand
What kind of paint are you using? Automotive paint or just plain ole spray paint? This would make a difference in your answer to the orange peel. If it is automotive paint you dont need to wet sand it if you are going down PAST the clear coat. This would also be a lot easier if you had an orbital sander kickin around. Use a paper lower in grit than 800 at first. When you think you got it all, blow it off, clean it and hold it up the diffrent angles of light. You should be able to see the grit as you sand over it and be able to tell when it is done. Then you simple clean it and check it. If good the apply another coat of paint. Orange peel comes from when the paint is being applied and you can usually see it when it is wet. Not enough paint hits the area at a time or pass and it does not spread or lay nicely. Dont try and completely cover your piece or side in one go. it should take 3-4 passes on average, unless you are a pro, then its 2-3.
When ready you can then clear coat. Same,thing. First pass is light, second is heavier. You can tell after 2 step where it is gonna orange peel. Do your third pass and this should fill any areas that were gonna peel. My sujestion is to do the edges first and then the surface and to watch your paint as it goes on.
Hope this helps and good luck!
The clear coat itself will also cause orange peel. O.P is from paint that is too thick or drys too fast. You want to put a thin coat on in as cold a temperture as you can get 50 degrees instead of 80 using cold paint. The danger is that it will run as it takes so long to set. But during that long time, it flows out giving the mirror finish. Takes practice.
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