Sand paint before laquer.

[eddietiv1]

Ok once put paint on it says to leave to dry for 24 hours so before putting laquer on would you sand first or laquer straight over paint .

[steveo3002]

basecoat? straight on with the clear soon as its flashed off

prob generic instructions on the can

[paintman]

Don't sand basecoat unless absolutely necessary to remove nibs.
If you do you WILL need to reblend the sanded area or the sanding marks will be visible through the clearcoat.
Clearcoat doesn't hide things, so if you can see it before you put the clear on you will see it after you've put it on.

I presume this is the Milano Red you were asking about in your other thread & that you've had it confirmed by Halfords that it does need a clearcoat?

[eddietiv1]

Yes its the milano red honda and been advised that it needs laquer, on the can it says to laquer 24 after applying base coat then other posts state to put it on after a short while.

[steveo3002]

do you think the factory or a bodyshop waits 24hrs ? or the bandits that work on your driveway?

[MitchT]

steveo3002 said:

basecoat? straight on with the clear soon as its flashed off

For the benefit of a dumbass like me, can you explain what "flashed off" means?

[steveo3002]

gone off a bit ...base coat will dull as it dries but not fully gone off

10-15 mins would do it

[ian332isport]

You really want the basecoat to still be a bit soft/tacky when you apply the lacquer. If you let it dry too much, the lacquer won’t bond to the basecoat properly and it will be prone to flaking off.

[Buzz84]

steveo3002 said:

do you think the factory or a bodyshop waits 24hrs ? or the bandits that work on your driveway?

Factories will put the cars through ovens to cure the paint rapidly and "driveway bandits" will use IR lamp sources to achieve the same effect on a local area

Also the mix of paint applied in a factory will be rather different to that supplied in a paint can from Halfordsz hence the different instructions. So the 24hr might be entirely appropriate for the spray can paint.

MitchT said:

For the benefit of a dumbass like me, can you explain what "flashed off" means?

Flashing off is the process of the solvent in the paint evaporating away after it has been applied to the car bodywork.

If you don't allow sufficient time for flash off, the solvent will still evaporate and causing pop holes or bubbles in the clearcoat.

[eddietiv1]

Ok, im leaving it for the 24 hour period, at the minute the finish doesn't look formal so gambling as to whether the laquer will even it all out or slightly sand it then laquer, such a mixed opinion on forums.

[MitchT]

Thanks to steveo3002 and Buzz84 for the replies.

I have a small bit of paintwork to do and have all the gear, but no idea! It's on a temporarily repaired area that will be re-done at a later date as part of a more comprehensive restoration, so a good opportunity for me to have a go.

[V8covin]

eddietiv1 said:

Ok, im leaving it for the 24 hour period, at the minute the finish doesn't look formal so gambling as to whether the laquer will even it all out or slightly sand it then laquer, such a mixed opinion on forums.

You get mixed opinion because you're listening to answers from any Tom Dick or Harry.
Steve's a painter,listen to him.....and Paintman

Edited by V8covin on Monday 26th July 08:12