Dimpled paint job

When using rattle cans I find it's a good idea to also clean the spray head. Build up of paint on the button face can cause an erratic spray pattern. I usually wipe the face of the button clean and then follow with thinner...if I think of it. You may also be spraying too far from the surface.

I assume you're spraying gloss white? An airbrush really works better, and there the trick is to thin the paint until it's about like water. I learned the hard way (several mistakes on a 1/72 XB-70), but now I can get one-coat coverage with the proper mixture.

By 'dimpled' do you mean the dreaded Orange Peel? syndrome? If so, your wet coats were probably sprayed from too far away. Try moving in closer next time.

If you don't want to strip and respray the model give it plenty of time for the paint to cure completely (at least until you can't smell paint when you hold it close to your nose) and use a polishing kit on it.

Even the *best* of our friends here, on many occasions, suffer from orange peel. Polishing out the surface is pretty common practice. If Scott B. is reading this, maybe he can give us a primer on his incredible techniques for getting his incredibly smooth gloss finishes....

:o)

Personally, I find it easier to spray a matte color coat, and then buff it out with a polishing compound (very fine wet-and-dry paper, followed by a simple car wax, or even a plastic polish). I can more easily, and more quickly, get a scale-like gloss finish this way...than by messing with the potential pitfalls of spraying gloss paints. You undoubtedly pick up more than a few dust and dirt particles onto your glossy-painted surface, and have to polish it out anyway.....

Very interesting. I sprayed from about 8" to 10" away, about the same with the mist coats. Is this to far away??

When you say polish it out, what are you refering to??

So, is it easier to get a smooth finish with flat paints? And what will happen if I coat with a glosscote after? Same problems as with gloss paint?

Also, if I sand this finish smooth with wet/dry paper will I be able to recoat without problems?

Jimmy

Yes, you need to move in close enough that the paint goes on just to the point of 'running'. It takes practice - gloss paint jobs are one of the most difficult aspects of car modeling.