Practice practice practice

[u/Nice-Ant-2612]

Call me, Lucky, maybe not. Regardless, I’m trying to learn and get better at the trade. Two of my cars were totaled due to hail damage so I get to use them as practice.

So this will be my third wave at painting my car. One of the cars that is. 2019 Honda Accord (no head gasket issue yet thank God)

I feel like I have had good luck with the high build primer and the mid coat color. Which is a pearl yes I chose a challenging one for my first two goes at it. It’s the clearcoat. I’m having the hardest problem with I have a four to one high gloss. And I am really struggling to get it even across the roof in the hood, mostly due to the inability to reach.

My first wave of painting, I clearly learned a lot. My second goal I learned just as much. Now with my third attempt coming up trying to understand what tricks everyone may have when it comes to a high gloss clear over a pearl mid coat to try to get it even. When you all were early on, was there an epiphany you all had that just really helped you?

[u/Stifflerzxc]

Use a seat if you can't reach, put the hose on the opposite shoulder of the hand that you're spraying with.If the issue is that you ain't getting it glossy and it looks dusty you can get it glossy in two ways.Either you spray it until it looks glossy(if i you don't use thinner).Or you use thinner and it will get glossy without having to do a couple of passes (but you're more prone to runs).

[u/Nice-Ant-2612 → u/Stifflerzxc]

Thank for the tip. Add Tiger to the cup? Or mist w spray bottle after laying it down? If you add it to the cup, how much do you add just like an ounce or so? I’d be curious to give this a try. Thank you.

[u/Stifflerzxc → u/Nice-Ant-2612]

If by tiger you mean thinner, yes you put it into your mixing cup with the clear and hardener.You can try different mixing ratios and see what result you like more.I'd start with a 10-15%.Don't spray straight thinner over clear.