spraying a car with enamel paint

[mat1912]

i have covered the car 3 times, looks good and now need to get the wet glossy look, i cant seem to get this, tried on an old bonnet but comes up patchy and dull, any ideas ??? thanks

[Andyvon]

I used to restore cars as a pastime and I did my own spraying.

In order to get that wet look you need to wait until the paint has hardened for several days. Then rub it flat with a very fine (1200 grade) wet and dry paper using plenty of water and washing up liquid. That will make the paint very flat. You then spray the car with a clear lacquer and rub it flat again with 1200 wet and dry. Then polish all the minute scratches out with T-Cut before applying a hard top finish such as Mer or Liquid Diamond. That will give the car a mirror finish.

It's very hard work Matt. Don't be tempted to cut corners by using power tools on the paint such as power buffers. You'll ruin the finish and have to start again. It's just plain old-fashioned elbow grease. The result will be well worth the sweat and sore fingers though.

[Andyvon]

Me again!

I've just realised that the EU has messed around with car paints lately I believe. I don't think you can buy cellulose paint any more which is what was always used. Isn't car paint water-based now and in need of special curing ovens or something? I know you mention 'enamel' paint - is that the water-based paint? In that case the method I described above might not apply.

[mat1912]

hi mate, im not too sure, its hard implement enamel paint that you thin down with enamel thinners, i got a well nice wet look until i knocked over a botle of brake fluid onto the wing !

[rockingian]

Hi you can still buy cellulose Davmacs sell it you can buy it already mixed for spraying also in airolsoles it cost about �11.00 per tin i sprayed my 1963 morris traveller it looks great Davmaca are brilliant they have cellulose on offer at the moment. �45 for LT tin pleanty to spray a car hope this helps you ,stupid EU .