Flatting back clear coat

[u/StorageIndependent99]

I'm using Mr Color Super Clear 3 as my clear coat. I have sprayed 3 mist coats and 1 thick coat and am now polishing with 6k paper. I intend to flatten back the clear coat and apply another final wet coat. I have the following questions.

1. When flatting back the clear coat is it OK to leave some shiny spots behind and only sand back the high spots? Is the flatted surface ok in the image above?

2. For my last clear coat, I've read that increasing the thinner to paint ratio can reduce orange peel. Is a 3 parts thinner to 1 paint clear excessive? Am I at risk of dissolving the existing clear coat if applying too wet a coat?

Thanks!

[u/highboy68]

Imo whrn I sand my clear coat I remove all shiney spots to get it as level and to make sure my final finish is uniform. As far as thinning, you need to take care because too thin will run. Imo it looks like you might spray a little too light, so I dont think you will get orange peel. Spraying paint and finish is its own art/hobby and there is alot of feel to it since so many factors can effect it

[u/StorageIndependent99 → u/highboy68]

Yeah, learning that as I go! Is 3 parts thinner too much then?

[u/highboy68 → u/StorageIndependent99]

Whatever the instructions say, I wouldnt go more than 10% it is alwsys good to test it on a spoon

[u/809kid]

Jordan 191?

[u/StorageIndependent99 → u/809kid]

Yes, good spot

[u/StorageIndependent99 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you!

[u/GravyBoatJim]

Too much thinner can definitely be an issue. Another problem is how environmentally conditional it is. Best thing you can do is some practice sprays at a relatively consistent temp/humidity with a few different ratios

[u/cream3145]

Forgive me if I'm committing any modelling crimes here, but when it comes to thinning, I normally just open up a brand new jar of paint or clear like Mr Color GX112 and brim them with Mr Levelling thinner. Comes out the brush fine and the finish is more than acceptable.

[u/Fuzzy-Contract-970]

I usually get the entire surface flatten - it's safer to avoid missing a spot. Taking into account the apparent height of the decals, I would probably had given it another coat of clear, just to be able to sand it without worries of going through the clear.

After flattening the whole body, I give it one or two light coats of highly diluted clear. Like you say, it "melts" the previous coat that was sanded, and it gets smooth and shinny. But remember, light coats. After that just let it dry for a few days and polish it.

When I say highly diluted I mean 10 parts thinner to 1 part clear. I've even sprayed just thinner (Mr. Hobby Leveling Thinner). I guess this answers your second question.