prepping a trunk lid for clear coat

SDE · Oct 30, 2020

I did a bad job of painting this trunk lid with a rattle can. I did not maintain a wet edge. The paint is at least three weeks old now and if I get a nice sunny day next week I will put a clear coat on it. I would like to try and smooth the paint out by wet sanding it. What grit should I use? Or is there a better way to get it smoother?
TY
SDE

Stephen Newell · Oct 30, 2020

If you can't fell the streaks in it then 600 grit should work fine. Just be careful not to sand through the color.

Now, what clear will you be using? If you plan on using a rattle can clear you would probably be alright. If you are going to use a urethane that shouldn't be done over rattle can paint. Most rattle can paint is lacquer or enamel and there could be adhesion problems with a urethane clear.

SDE · Oct 30, 2020

It is rattle can clear coat.
TY
SDE

David G · Oct 31, 2020

Be real careful of the types.

Stephen Newell · Oct 31, 2020

More than likely the rattle can clear is lacquer but without knowing the specific products it's difficult to say what might happen. If a clear is incompatible it may not adhere or it might eat into the color coat and lift it like you put paint stripper on it. It would probably be safer to try another coat of the color coat. It's going to be just as difficult to keep a wet edge with the clear coat.

prepping a trunk lid for clear coat

SDE

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Stephen Newell

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SDE

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David G

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Stephen Newell

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