Not detailing per se, but...

[Sad little man]

I'm re-painting some bicycle parts (frame and fork) to match the car, and I've got about 3-4 coats of color on one part, and it's looking a little rough, just doesn't look professional, lots of fine, rough orange peel. I figured you guys would know how the better manufacturers get their cars looking so smooth (well, aside from using good painting equipment ). Would it be a good idea to wetsand the surface smooth, do one more coat of color, then go onto the clear?

 

[tguil]

What type of paint are you using -- acrylic laquer or enamel?



Tom

 

[Sad little man]

I believe it's laquer.

 

[Sad little man]

Got the fork done. I'm just kind of layering up the clear now. The frame will have a much smoother paint because it's welded aluminum tubing as opposed to a cast piece. I'm waiting on some more paint that matches the car right now.

 

[tguil]

Nice paint match. You might not want to mess with wet sanding. Sometimes good enough really is good enough.



Tom

 

[kartoon]

I can't believe you put that fork on the hood. But otherwise it's a nice match. :up

 

[Bill D]

:scared

 

[EBPcivicsi]

:scared

 

[317indy]

:scared

Agreed! Get that facker off the hood!

 

[Sad little man]

Actually, the fork is suspended by fine nylon wires millimeters above the hood. This was done to ensure a good perspective for the color match, and not damage the hood at all. (I'm kidding BTW.)



Seriously. Drive them, use them, then detail them. A couple hours after I took that shot, I got the car into a hail storm on my way home from getting more red matching paint. Ok, I wasn't trying to, and I was sitting in the car going insane over the damage, but the storm passed, and the car's fine. No dents. It's not a garage queen, even if it looks like one. :xyxthumbs