Help with small project (controllers)

[youngpainter]

Hey everyone!

I am completely new to this forum, but after searching around it seems that you folk around here really know what you're talking about regarding clearcoat.

I've been painting Xbox 360 controllers for some time now, and have yet to get a perfect clearcoat. Basically with a plastic controller, you prep it, spray adhesion, hit it with auto paint, then clearcoat. Generally everything is perfect until the clearcoat. Since most of these projects are very small, and I don't have very much equipment, I use aerosol paints. I generally just use Duplicolor Acyrlic Laquor to clear (No hyperlinks before reaching 30 posts).

My question is if I can get that GREAT, glossy shine with this clear. I have actually invested in a airbrush, and also a spray gun, but without a garage im a bit stuck with aerosol. I just put some thick layers on a controller and am about to attempt to cut through the orange peel and buff it clear. How feasible is it to get this looking great? Since its from a can, and a controller is in no way flat, I will need to do everything by hand.

Do you have any suggestions, comments, concerns? I would really love some feedback and thanks in advance!

YP

[AllenB]

Re: Help with small project (controllers)

It can be done. Try light coats rather than heavy coats that should give you a better surface to start with. Let the paint cure for a couple of weeks to get hard and fully cured. You should be able to sand it smooth (search wet sanding on this forum) and then buff it with polish to get a smooth shiny finish. It will be a lot of work but you can do it if you stay with it

[BillE]

Re: Help with small project (controllers)

Like Allen said...light coats, wet sand (you may have to go all the way to 2500+, but it WILL be worth it), polish (to remove those super tiny scratches). You can just leave it that or apply a wax for some protection.

Rattle cans can be great to use, just take you time.

Good luck and keep us up to date on your results.

Bill

[youngpainter]

Re: Help with small project (controllers)

Thanks for the replies guys!

So here is another dilemma, time. Do I really need to wait a few weeks to start sanding? I actually do a lot of these controllers for customers. Is there any way I can start the process just a few days after I clearcoat?

And another option is just another applying another coat after I sand. I've heard that can give a similar effect. So just sanding up to 2000-2500, and applying another coat.

But if I just sand and polish what would you recommend using. I've got some 3M rubbing compound that I was told would work? So the process will go 3-5 light coats of clear. Wait some time. Start at wetsanding 1000 up to 2500, then polish.

Oh, and another question is the recess of the base coats. I usually will do a couple colors (crazy designs), which will leave lines you can actually feel from the different coats. After I clear It's usually not as bad, but still there. Would you say this process on the clear will help. Or should I try to wetsand the actual base with 2000 before clear? I wasn't for sure if this would effect the coat at all

That would be fine, but waiting 2 weeks to start might be a problem. Thanks for any help!

[BillE]

Re: Help with small project (controllers)

Those 'edges' that are left from the color coat lines can be lightly sanded smooth prior to a clear shot. Remember, when you are clearing, it is the clear that is shinny, not the paint under.

As to time...from my rattle can experience...paint, clear (the clear will flash and dry quickly, quickly enuf to sand). Do the sanding, then go ahead and use some rubbing compound, polish. Just don't seal the project (wax/sealant) for some time. Even little projects have to completely dry before LSP.

Maybe try some different methods on a 'scrap' material to see what gives ya the best results.

Make sense? Mind and finger(s) don't seem to be on the same page this morning...ned more coffee...LOL.

Bill