Mixed answers from google whats the right method

[kerrie0400]

I have been doing some resreach using google and just when i think im ready to paint i read something different?

i just brought a new bodykit its in a gel coat i was going to do the following

1. sand the new kit with wet and dry using 400grit paper
2. apply the primer
3.sand primer using wet and dry 800 grit paper
4. spray the kit with colour wait 1 hr after the last coat of colour, than apply the clear
5. after drying for 24hrs either polish it or if its rough colour sand using 2000 grit paper than polish

i dont know if im doing it right but that what my plans were till i read the following on google

1. sand the new kit with 1000 grit wet and dry
2 spray on the primer
3. when primer is dry sand with wet and dry 200 grit paper
4. apply colour than half hour after the last colour coat apply clear coat
5. polish

can anyone give me the right method including what grade paper to use and when.im using 2 pac paint and its a metallic grey colour and the kit is fibreglass . i will be doing it in my shed at home.

i know i need to leave between 10 - 15 min flash time between coats. but how long after i finish applying the colour do i apply the clear coat?

any help would be great

[ari666]

sanding the hi-fill with 2000 would be a bit of a [insert naughty word] really

method 1 is the way i usually do it, with a couple of differences.

1 give the hi-fill as long as you can possible give to dry. so a week or more if possible. stick as much heat on it as you can, i.e. leave it in the sun everyday, in front of a heater or something to cure it properley so it doesnt shrink later.

2. you can hit the clear shortly after the first coat. i wouldnt wait longer than an hour. usually around 30 mins. but i guess it will depend on how thick you do it. i cleared the inside of my boot about 15 mins after base colour and it came out fantastic.

3. wet sand the hi-fill back

[Boostedn14]

320 your gel coat

Hi fill - 2 solid coats

Wait a day or 2

500 down on sander/interface pad

prepsol

tack rag with blowdown

blow first colour over - flash off 10 minutes

blow second coat over wait 10 minutes

Drop coat - wait 10 minutes

Clear - wait 15 minutes

Clear - Done.

then sand and buff the next day if its dry enough.

[Boostedn14]

Theres a million different way to do it, the above is how i would do it, has never given me grief, don't get any scratch marks, no sink back and looks good. I use this same method day in/ day out.

[SthEastCustoms]

please pre fit the kit first too otherwise you'll kick yourself

[kerrie0400]

might seem like a dumb question but should i strain my basecoat and clear, my basecoat is a metallic colour if i do what "grade" strainer should i use?

[Boostedn14]

i think we use a 120/200 micron filter, but you should strain all your colours and clears.

But just get some off the shelf paint strainers, to get the bigger lumps of shit outta your paint.