Danny.T

[B]My car: 99 Accord 4-SD EX V6

I repaired and painted the front bumper, everything looks good, but not shine. I fixed the bumper, wet sand the damage, primer, put one coat base color paint, let dry 24 hrs, add one clear coat. The paint looks OK, but not very shine compare to the old rear bumper.

Paint: 1 can color mixed by a local autoparts ($24). Primer and clear coat bought at a local auto parts. please show me how to make it shine.

Thanks,

p/s Adding some pics before and after even it's not shine, I'm an amateur, will do it again!

HonBeer

You should least apply three clear coats. Wet sand 800 grit in between

Danny.T

Ah.. Thank you so much, HonBeer, I will add 2 more clear coats, I will let you know the result.

tamadrummer1120

i dunno about you......but if you prep correctly, you should apply the base, allow a small amount of drying time like an hour or two at most with automotive paint, then clear. not 24 hours. so you will have to wetsand out the clear you laid down. then after said clear coats, need a high w/s and buff job.

brian8702

ok heres what to do.
i've been a autobody tech for 7 years
are you using basecaat/cleatcoat? mif not your pretty much wasting your time

wetsand it with 1000grit sand paper. try not to sand thru
after its all scuffed and dull looking
wipe it down with a good wax and grease remover
then with a clean cloth wipe it down agian
use a tack cloth and lightly go over the whole bumper
then shoot 2-3 med wet coats of base
tack cloth between coats for a cleaner finish and also wait 10 mins between coats
after you shoot your base wait 20 mins
then shoot 2-3 med wet coats of clear
then let it sit over night for the clear to harden
look at the bumper and look for imperfections and wetsand them out wth 1500 grit wetsand paper
after you have and the imperfections gone wetsand the whole thing with 200 or 2500 wetsand paper
then use a wool pad with a med buffing compound and buff the whole thing going about 1500 rpms
go over the whole bumper about 3 times to get a nice looking shine
then use a polisher with a black foam pad and polish the whole thing
ALL DONE!!! use a nice clean microfiber towel and go over the whole thing getting all your compound.
now dont forget DONT USE WAX FOR 3 MONTHS
if you do use a natural wax such as carnuba wax

also details when it comes to painting it.
if your painting it in your garage
put up plastic sheets and wet the floor and get a fan to fan out the fumes
you'll be good to go
got any questions hit me up

gorillafart

iTrader: (1)

the amount of coats you put on isnt that important, its how you applied the clearcoat.
i think you're laying the clearcoat on too dry... get closer with the gun.. and move faster. (so it doesnt run)
spray for appearance (meaning, what you see is what you get) so if it looks dry or thin... spray again... but be careful not to run it... this takes some practice and patience

DC2.2_GSR

everyone read this post over and over again. this is one of the very few good posts i've seen in this paint/body section yet! also, as gorillafart said, you can's just hold the gun back and let the dust settle on the panel... if you're painting it, paint it. don't be passive about it, just get in there and spray it until it looks nice, then leave it alone. the way the clear looks the moment you get done your last pass is exactly how it's going to look when it's cured (unless your sags and drips haven't formed yet. haha)

wetsanding between coats of clear, waiting 24 hours between base and clear, etc. are all INCORRECT ways to paint. unless you're following the steps that brian listed, you're doing it wrong!

Danny.T

Thank you all for your wonderful posts. I will save brian8702 post for my next bumper, maybe the rear one, his post is too good and too professional for me. I will try to fix my problem by wetsand again and put some more clearcoats, of course, I should aim the gun closer to the target to make better shoots this time, actually not the gun but the spray can. I need you to explain why need wetsand in between clearcoats?

Many many thanks to your responses.

Danny

(This car for my son, I need some more works on it before giving to him, I only afford to buy this car for him but cannot spend more $$ on it, that why DIY)