I posted this in the paint forum… hoping it gets a response or two here!
I’m prepping a pair of saddlebags. I’ve worked the deep scratches smooth with 800 grit wet… very smooth. I have sanded through the paint/primer to the bare plastic in spots.
1- should I use an adhesion enhancer prior to primer? Just on the spots that are down to the plastic, or over the entire surface?
2- I have these sanded very smooth (800wet) do I go back and rough them up prior to primer? How rough 800,600,400 ?
That last one especially will show. It needs to be built up with filler, putty or primer and block sanded back level.
Smooth only matters after it's level. It can be too smooth because paint must have something to bite in to.
As for my credibility to talk about paint, I posted a tour pack I painted here a few weeks ago if you care to look.
Last edited by gravybiscuit; 02-09-2023 at 04:11 PM.
If you're going to rattle can the color and clear, just know that it'll never come close to having a body shop professional finish. Not even close. I've tried by doing it by the book, wet sanding for days even with 2000 and higher.
Drag a fingernail across it. If you can feel anything its not smooth enough.
If it were me I would fill those in with a smidge of body filler then wet sand it smooth again before priming it.
Edit- I'm not a painter or expert in any sense of the word. I have painted a few go carts, mini bikes and 1 motorcycle and they all came out decent looking for an amateur with a rattle can.
Last edited by Bubba Zanetti; 02-10-2023 at 08:22 AM.
Originally Posted by gravybiscuit;[url=tel:21064393
21064393[/url]]That last one especially will show. It needs to be built up with filler, putty or primer and block sanded back level.
Smooth only matters after it's level. It can be too smooth because paint must have something to bite in to.
As for my credibility to talk about paint, I posted a tour pack I painted here a few weeks ago if you care to look.
yep, I think I have it too smooth. I think “high fill” primer and block sanding would level out any spots.
Imma find your tour pack thread… thanks
Originally Posted by mrhammer2u;[url=tel:21064425
21064425[/url]]If you're going to rattle can the color and clear, just know that it'll never come close to having a body shop professional finish. Not even close. I've tried by doing it by the book, wet sanding for days even with 2000 and higher.
I’ll be using a HVLP gun, with a moisture filter.
Originally Posted by Bubba Zanetti;[url=tel:21065497
21065497[/url]]Drag a fingernail across it. If you can feel anything its not smooth enough.
If it were me I would fill those in with a smidge of body filler then wet sand it smooth again before priming it.
Edit- I'm not a painter or expert in any sense of the word. I have painted a few go carts, mini bikes and 1 motorcycle and they all came out decent looking for an amateur with a rattle can.
I have it smooth, you can’t feel anything running a fingernail over it.
I think the key for you is in the prep and making sure any paint or primer you put on adheres properly, but I'd make sure the entire lid get's a clear coat as a final step
02-09-2023, 02:17 PM
Paint prep questions
