getting a high gloss finish

axisus

I'm tempted to try making a body with a high gloss finish, although I'm not confident that I can get the desired result. I have been using cellulose spray cans for some time now getting aged type finishes, but it doesn't seem like they would give me a thick, glossy finish unless I use about 10 cans!

I have a compressor, and a slightly knackered old spray gun. Do I need to go that route?

Any good tutorials out there?

nick_s

The key to a good gloss is surface levelling.  Which in paint terms means flatting and polishing.  Flat with fine grade wet and dry, polish with an appropriate compound.  Orange peel is only for BMW's

WezV

I am getting a pretty good gloss on my last 2 rattle can finishes.

On both I have brushed on a few coats of sanding sealer first. I only use the cans once the sanding sealer is level and perfect.

WezV

Brushed on sanding sealer followed by half a can of colour and 1 1/2 cans of gloss lacquer

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/WezV004/1775a998-1ef6-4475-8130-0c7130b94222_zpsxoodfbi8.jpg

axisus

@WezV that looks really good! So is the sanding sealer put on as a thin coat? thick coat? More info required!

WezV

Its quite a thick coat, I use chestnut cellulose sanding sealer and it dries pretty much straight away, so it can be difficult to brush on evenly, but sands smooth really easily.

I do about 3 coats brushed on, sand flat and do another coat if I sand through the sealer