Best wax & polishing compound to use on models

[Martin_G]

Thanks alot guys for your answers and ideas!! I was aware of some of the products mentioned but not all of them.

For something a little different this time, I'll try changing the way I usually finish a gloss paint job just a little bit. Instead of stopping at 2000 grit then polishing, I'll try using 3200 to 6000 grit then polish. I'm not sure if going up in grit will change the final finish very much but I'd like to find out! Won't know unless I try!

This will only be on lacquer paint. I use enamel on stuff like engines and some detail items but thats about it.

I'm also glad that colored wax was brought up. I've never used it myself but its good to know its there if ya need it.


OB, the "rock finish" while interesting isn't quite what I was looking for! I think its known as a "textured finish" ! LOL!

BTW, do you get different finishes when using different composition of rocks (granite, soapstone,shale, etc)? I guess when you sand , you actually use sand ! LOL!



Thanks again,

Martin

[strevo]

Martin,
Here's a link to my surfboard project: http://www.scalemotorcars.com/forum/...html#post33295
I used Model Master Lacquer for the base and clear coats, and polished it with the Micro Mesh polishing pads. I went all the way up to the 12000 grit and got a very nice, mirror-like shine out of the paint. In my opinion, it didn't really have that total shine until I got up to the 6,000-12,000 range with the polishing pads.
-Steve

[hot ford coupe]

Hey Martin. I agree with Steve. You really need to go to the 12000 pad to really get a great shine. If you stop at the 6000, you'll get a nice clean satin look but not a really good shine. Check out the valve covers I did for my TDR 426 superdetailing thread. I took the chrome surface to 12000 grit, no further. Make sure you do this wet. I do all my wet sanding under a thin stream of running water. The sanding debris coming off the paint is what does all the scratching and damage. If you can feel any grittiness under your sanding pad, you're damaging the surface. Keeping the surface flushed really cleans the junk away, gives you a better shine and really keeps your sanding pads from wearing out.

[Martin_G]

How many coats of clear do you really need for a really nice shine? I have heard that several coats (4-5) work best with wet sanding in between.

Right now I have about 4 coats of clear over two light coats of color (TS-40 Tamiya Metallic Black). The 2nd and final color coat was wet sanded and the clear coats were wet sanded lightly between each coat.

I used two light coats of Model Master gray primer also sanded lightly with 600 grit.

The color coat and clear coats were first done in 1000, then 1500 & 2000 grits.

At this point the fenders have a nice even coat and the start of a nice shine. While not real glossy, they have a plastic-like shine to them and I can see my face in them but not in minute detail.

Any suggestions?



Thanks,

Martin

[strevo]

How many coats of clear do you really need for a really nice shine? I have heard that several coats (4-5) work best with wet sanding in between.

Right now I have about 4 coats of clear over two light coats of color (TS-40 Tamiya Metallic Black). The 2nd and final color coat was wet sanded and the clear coats were wet sanded lightly between each coat.

I used two light coats of Model Master gray primer also sanded lightly with 600 grit.

The color coat and clear coats were first done in 1000, then 1500 & 2000 grits.

At this point the fenders have a nice even coat and the start of a nice shine. While not real glossy, they have a plastic-like shine to them and I can see my face in them but not in minute detail.

Any suggestions?



Thanks,

Martin

Martin,
4-5 coats should be enough if they're really smooth. I don't remember how many coats I put on my surfboard, but I was also trying to even out the layers caused by the stripe. I think I probably put on about 8-10 coats, but sanded most of them away to even out the layers. Jeff's right, you really need to wet sand and keep the water running over the part while sanding to get the best shine. You may be able to get a good shine by sanding to 2000 or so and then polishing with a polishing compond, but I haven't tried that before. Really, you only need as many clear coats as it takes to get a nice smooth surface.
-Steve