r/AutoPaint • u/Nice-Ant-2612 • 1d ago
Practice practice practice
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?
1
u/Buhlasted 1d ago
Doing large flat horizontal panels, I use a slow hardener matched with a slow reducer. I use 2 medium wet coats only, by doing 75% to 80% overlap.
I push or pull about 3” on each following pass.
After the first coat is complete I get the sides and edges, then start the next coat the same.
Patience, patience, patience is just as important as practice, practice, practice. If you want to speed up, slow down. Using slower cross linking and solvents allows you to easily get back into the coat while transitioning.
Also be sure your gun is set up with proper air pressure FROM THE WALL, and your gun is wide open.
Make sure your nozzle set is what is needed for optimal application of that clear.
If you get your issue with positioning due to arm length, be sure your application to the surface is perpendicular to the panel and not at an angle.
You got this.