I think that is the right terminology. I am trying to respray my focus bonnet to remove chips and scratches but I am still getting shadowy lines and cloud shapes in the base coat. I have managed ordinary paint (Non metallic's) before but am having a reet do' getting this right. The bonnet is all lovely and smooth ready for the paint but cannot stop these damn lines etc.
Can anybody advise please?
I don't have a professional spray booth or anything and can get a very reasonable finish with cans but struggling with the gun.
Guns using are a 1/2 ltr low pressure gravity feed and a 1/4 ltr same. small compressor with gauges and water traps.
PS I am going to clear coat over when I get the paint right,with any luck lol
Thanks all.

 

what guns are you using? hvlp? trans tech? can your compressor keep up with the gun, tip size is important also... you wil see tram lines simply because your not overlapping enough, with metalics you need to get the flakes down correctly so your "clouding" maybe due to you getting it to wet therefore the flakes will gather, try to keep a constant distance from the panel 50-75% over lap i try for 3 coats then a dust coat were i bring the gun off the panel and let it fall giving a nice even finish..... practice makes perfect just remember to overlap and dont get it to wet.

 

these are a couple of things after ive recently done, i use devilbiss guns and also have no booth.


suzuki, metalic







this ones off a buell and its a 3 stage pearl, it really comes to life in the sun.

 

Thanks Patto.
I think you may have hit the proverbial on the head! I think I may have been getting it too wet from what you say. Thinking about it, I have been laying it on more without letting it flash off trying to even it out? Does that sound right? Will try lighter and drier coats with a good 50% or more overlap.
The guns are hvlp, one a small 1/4 ltr touch up with 1mm and the other a cheaper 1/2 ltr new with 1.3mm nozzle and the compressor although small keeps up.It never kicks in whilst spraying and am running about 29ish psi.
The colour is I believe a bad one ie Ford Tonic and I have plenty to go at ie 1/2 litre plus 1/8 from previous try lol
Thanks for the advice, just need a nice day now after all the good weather we had.

 

Jeez those look the dogs danglies, wish I could get that finish. will need to practice more methinks, get an old panel maybe?

 

Try a practice panel, use your 1.3 hvlp at around 30psi but dont take that as gospel try upping the pressure, is all about getting good atomisation, set your gun up on a piece of paper on the wall, wind you paint control off the adjust till you get the right amount and set the fan pattern so you get a simetrical shape about 6-8 inches high... try you tube for some videos.. dont give up im fortunate that I had a good teacher in my dad.

 

Many thanks. looking on youtube good idea, thanks again.