wet sanding multiple colors

[stereosteve99]

I am going to paint my case like the american flag. I was wondering if it is possible to wet sand the multiple colors, or will it smear. I want to get that shiny mirror-like appearance

[Rob Cork]

I haven't tried sanding a case with multiple colours of paint on before - only my pure black case, so I can't speak from experience. But I would have thought that as long as the paint was completely dry (leave it 24hrs to be sure, longer if the instructions say so) you should be able to wash off any paint dust after sanding. I'd say go ahead and try - there's plenty of cases with multicoloured designs around on the web, and I've never heard of any problems. Hope it turns out how you want it to :)

[Penguin4x4]

It won't smear if it is dry.

[llubon]

Hello, Well it depends on what type of Paint your using??? If its a single stage paint you most likly would have had to tape off the different colors... So you would have some Lines between colors. (Not Cool) I would recommend spraying a ClearCoat over that to get rid of lines and also allowing you to wetsand & buff the clear with no worrys of smear 'cus your sanding clear not color !!! If I was doing It, I would use a "Base / Clear" meaning you apply basecoat (dull finish) then when all colors or design is done ClearCoat over the top of it !!!

llubon

[CrystalMethod]

The trick to apinting multiple colors like that is to lay the paint on thick (multiple layers), and to sand to get rid of the orange peel only. You would start with the darkest color and work your way up to the lightest. Wet sanding in between colors. The difference from the tutorial (sticky at the top of the alt modding section) would be that you would only half wet sand the layers (only going up to 800-1000 grit). It's getting the masking perfect that is the real trick. I use ordinary removable shelf paper for masking. I cut masks in triple usually. It gives me room to correct mistakes. To apply them and position them perfectly, I spray the panel with a mixture of distiled water and a few drops of clear liquid dish wash soap. This lets you position the mask without having to peel it off, which would stretch it. Then wipe down, let dry and start painting. Once the final layer is layed down, then you continue on to the higher grits when wet sanding. Then compound and polish as in the tutorial.

[veeman]

Ya it won't smear if it is completly dry you can wet sand in between each to get a mirror like finish.Just take your time and it should come out real good.

[BaldHeadedDork]

Umm, every graphic paint job that I've seen (and I've given up counting how many that is) shoots the graphics as one coat atop the top coat that has been shot and wetsanded and reshot to the desired finish. Graphics are applied in one shot before the clear coat goes on, and its why fine control airbrushes are the chosen tool for artwork. I've never seen anyone try to do multiple coats of a graphic. Never.

And with all respect to CrystalMethod, he has it backwards. You shoot your lightest colors first and work to the darkest. In this case, you would paint the side panel white, then tape it for the red stripes and then the blue field for the star background. (Otherwise the blue and red would create a dark tint for the white, for example.) Also, shooting it thick and sanding off the orange peel will result in a bad looking paint job. Graphics and artwork do not revoke the fundamental rules of painting.

If you want a straight flag that will cover your sidepanel, the easiest and least-expensive option will be a commercial quality vinyl transfer (aka sticker). Check your Yellow Pages for a shop like Fast Signs and give them a call.


BHD