OK here's the deal. I painted the plastics about an hour and a half ago with a red base coat(3 wet coats). when can I slap it on the bike and mask ? also should I wet sand the base coat before I add the black or do both then add clear then sand?? In other words when do I sand now??

 

What type of paint are you using? BC/CC... or are you just clearing over a single stage paint?

The only time you should sand a base coat before clear is if you let it sit too long. If it sits longer than 24 hours, it should be wetsanded to promote adhesion of the clear. I've never waited more than 24 hours, so I can only suggest using 1000 grit to sand with. The best thing to do is not wait past the window. And, ideally, once the base is wetsanded, it should have another coat of color put on, but you can clear it with good results, (at least I've seen good results from others) as long as you use a fine enough paper, and dont press too hard and create scratches. Otherwise, 4-6 hours of dry time should be enough time for the base to be handled. But, a lot will depend on what your using, temp, if you used the proper reducer for the air temp...ect.

If its been longer than 24 hours, wetsand the plastics, tape off the areas you need to paint, pull the plastics and paint them. Let them dry, 4-6 hours, remove the tape very carefully, and lay down the clear. You dont have to wet sand the black part as long as you clear it soon enough after its been applied. Also, you reallly don't want to wet sand that anyway, it will fade the tape lines and your lines wont be as crisp.

but again, ideally, you don't want to wetsand the final base coat before the clear. You wet sand the final clear, but the base.

 

ahhh you're awesome. I'm using nason(DUHN DUHN DUHNNNNN) I know its cheap but this is my first paint project so I gotta start somewhere! I'm waiting for the black to flash right now then I'm going to do what you said and wait 4-6 hours before I take off the tape. You're awesome!!!

 

Every paint line is different. Did you get a tech sheet when you bought the paint? If so you will have all the information needed. I did three colors on my bike using PPG in my garage since I didn't want to take my parts to work and use the booth. Really 30-45 minutes flash time should be good if you're using a fast reducer to apply tape.. and then 30-45 minutes again before removing tape. If you need to put the plastics on the bike to tape off your lines then all guesses are out the window, you really need the tech sheet. Also, did you use a sealer? Most sealers will give you a different handle time since they aren't quite like a basecoat and usually have a hardener/catalyst that forces them to dry. Also if you put the plastics on the bike and tighten them down.. it will mar the paint if you tighten it down all the way. If possible I would figure out all the lines off the bike... takes more experience but makes for an easier job. I'm assuming you're using solid colors with no pearl or metallic in them? If so you can sand with 800 grit wet sand paper and still clear over it.. but as mentioned in the other post you don't need to sand as long as you're within the window recommended by dupont. Again.. back to that pesky tech sheet.

 

one other question and its too late at this point... did you use fine line tape? Regular masking tape will not give you the results you hope for. Best of luck.

 

I used the automotive tape the blue one at auto zone. http://pc.dupont.com/dpc/en/US/html/...-cbasecoat.pdf that's the tech sheet.

so I'm waiting now for the 4-6 hours so I could take of the tape and clear it

 

this is the end product thanks guys!

 

Looks like it came out real nice.

 

wow! awesome. mad props dude.

 

Looks like it came out really good. A lil jdm rising sun inspiration? that's what comes to mind when I first see it. good job, looks nice!