One more paint?

[Jacob]

I’ve applied the Wimbledon white base coat and the lightning blue stripes. When I peel off the masking tape I’m assuming I’ll feel ridges where the tape was...question is, do you gently sand the ridges or go with clear and take care of the ridges in the sand /polish stage? If you do sand, wet or dry?As normal all help is appreciated!

[TheBabyBadger]

Definitely do not try to sand the stripes.

You need to apply generous clear to allow room to polish back the edges. Probably 3-4 coats of clear depending on which clear you use. This will leave room to polish it flat. After several coats of clear, the flowout will naturally reduce the hardline and it will be subtle if not mostly gone. A final color sand and buff should seal the deal.

Good luck.

[Jacob]

Exactly what I neede! Thanks

[GThompson]

I’m sorry but I need to disagree with Badger. I’m taking an autobody repair class right now and we just covered this exact thing last week. I painted my helmet and had the ridge when I took the tape off. I needed to wet-sand it with 1500-grit wet/dry sandpaper to minimize the step prior to clear-coat. After 2 coats of clear the step could still be felt but was minimal.

[Presto51]

"I’ve applied the Wimbledon white base coat and the lightning blue stripes"

And from the peanut gallery:

Both answers can be correct, with the following enquiry:

If one color is a metallic, for a novice, Badger's answer would be a good choice, less chance of disturbing the flake in the color.

If both colors are non-metallic, for the novice George T's answer would be good, but be very careful not to sand the second color edge too far.

Of course if time is not a problem, in the booth, lay down three coats of clear, let fully dry/set up, wet sand with 1000 clean off the car and lay down two to three more coats of clear, that should beyond a shadow of doubt, get rid of any hard line feel.

Just what you wanted three options to make your day easier, dealers choice :rolleyes:

Signing out, going back to the side lines.

[Avalanche325]

Read the information sheets for your paint system! Paint systems can be VERY different.

I used PPG, and if you touched it with sandpaper, you had to shoot it again. Also you had to get the clear on within 24 hours or you had to scuff and shoot again before the clear. So you had better get reading. You also don't want to leave masking tape on for a long time.

With 3 good coats of clear and proper wet sanding, you will not feel a ridge at all. Mine is as smooth as glass.

[j.miller]

I shoot stripe color, mask, shoot body color, unmask stripe, shoot 3 coats clear, colorsand and polish. No sanding of the base in between.....only been doin this for 40yrs and putting stripes on just about every car for the past 20....so, for what it's worth...da Bat

[Taz Rules]

I shoot stripe color, mask, shoot body color, unmask stripe, shoot 3 coats clear, colorsand and polish. No sanding of the base in between.....only been doin this for 40yrs and putting stripes on just about every car for the past 20....so, for what it's worth...da Bat

This. Plus I do one more step

Shoot paint and stripe, unmask stripe, shoot 3 coats clear, (no sanding of base in between, as above). Let cure for at least 2-3 days. Sand clear only and LIGHTLY with 800 right at ridges. Do not burn through. Sand rest of car with 1500. Tack everything, shoot 3 more coats of clear, colorsand (1500, 3000 Trizact, 5000 Trizact), polish.

[GThompson]

Well alrighty then, I’ll go back to class on Saurday and let my instructor know that the pros here say he’s full of crap and is doing it wrong...

[SSNK4US]

I vote for da Bat.... I’ve seen A LOT of his stuff and it’s absolutely impeccable.
It will be an honor to turn our car over to him to finish when it’s time....
(don’t worry Jeff, no stripes under the hood lol) ;)

Kurt

[j.miller]

Well alrighty then, I’ll go back to class on Saurday and let my instructor know that the pros here say he’s full of crap and is doing it wrong...



Oh come on now....you don't really want to say that...…. Just tell him he doesn't know his "Arse from a hole in the ground !!!"...KIDDING. Look , metallics lay down a certain way when sprayed. When you break the surface with sandpaper not only do you leave scratches but you also flatten the surface which become not only visible to see right away but magnified by the clear. Solid colors are safer but Red , for example, likes to separate it's toners just a bit as it lays down because of it's chemical make up. If you try to sand Red base you will see it start turning Orange as you sand. ...da Bat

[Jacob]

Appreciate all the inputs! So far I’ve been impressed that when I pulled the tape off, the stripes stayed on!