so i decided upon DIY milano red on my CTR grille.

these are the steps i followed but i didn't get that smooth shine like the rest of the HT members got on here =(

1. sanded down with 800 grit paper
2. sprayed 2 layers of primer
3. 4-5 coats of main duplicolor paint
4. 4 coats of duplicolor clearcoat (before last coat, i sanded it down with 1500 grit paper)
5. use Turtle Wax Premium Grade Rubbing Compound

yet i have a dull non-smooth finish without the slightest shine texture.
should i use turtle wax polishing compound or would that be too harsh on my rattle can clearcoat?

 

im thinking of trying Meguiar's Ultimate Compound, any opinions?

 

wait a week before polish

 

yeah you cant buff or polish anything until the paint has cured...it dries in no time but the cure time is a little longer

 

you shouldnt have sanded until after you were done painting.
primer
base
clear
-let cure- then,
wetsand and polish (rubing compound)

 

very correct, after your done clearing, let it dry for 2 weeks. than wetsand, rubbing compound, polishing compound, swirlx, than wax. it'll look sick

 

How's your technique of laying clear? I usually lay two thin "rough" coats and then lay a thick layer to fill in the crevices and also create a nice shiny layer.

Let cure and wet sand, buff with compound, polish, and wax.

 

how long did you wait between coats, try to post up pics

 

What I would do is sand again with some 800 or 1000 wet just so the clear will grab and re clear it. Just don't get to crazy on the sanding so u don't burn into the base coat ..
Let it cure .

** depending on the clear quality u might not have to wet sand and polish to get it to really shine just some wax **
Also make sure ur not using semi gloss clear LOL...

 

^x2