Metallic Paint

What is the best way to remove the "eggshell" effect on metallic paint (holts duplicolor). Its had at least 6 coats but i don't want to ruin it with rubbing compound. Thanks

What do you mean 'eggshell'? Is it cracked?

No i was talkin about the fine pimply surface texture you get after spraying metallics.

Well, then you use rubbing compound! Why on earth do you think you would ruin it!!!:confused:

The thread on painting covers the use of rubbing compound. Depending on where you are decides which compound you can get!
If it is really rough a rubbing with the finest wet & dry papers will also speed the process up, they I don't recommend it for beginners!

Pretty much, you will need to rub with something like 600 or 800 grit to get rid of the "Orange peel" as it is referred to as. You can then follow Guiddy's method of using a cutting compound or you can rub with successively finer grits (micromark.com sells a 2400, 3600, 4800, 6000, 8000, and 12000 grit kit).

You have 6 coats of paint so you shouldn't worry too much about rubbing to the primer, but be careful at sharp edges!

Hope this helps :D

I wouldn't go as rough as 600 or 800 on the final finish. Even with 1200 I have had swirl marks I couldn't get rid of.
If you can't get those micromark papers just use compunds, first a harsh one then a nice smooth one.

It depends on the brand, but rubbing metallic paint will probably result in nasty stains, so I don't recommend it. Metallic paint is a mix of fine metallic pigments, clear and solution. I think the egg-shell effect is caused by the lack of clear in the metallic paint. Add clear and thinner to the metallic and test spray to see how much they should be added. This, I can't help, because it highly depends on the experience.
Good luck.

Egg shell isn't a problem on metallics as the lacquer will fill out an roughness!
Just go with a few coats of lacquer and then polish that using compound

But you don't want to be putting 6 coats of basecoat and THEN lacquer too!
Just two or three is fine.

No no no!

Don't use rubbing compound on metallic paints. At least before you apply clear coat. If you do it to the paint, it will take off the top laquer (or something) and it will leave the paint looking too much like copper. Had this problem with my 300ZX, but I ain't redoing it - it took me too long to mask all the stuff on that car.

I didn't have any problem with the metallic I used on the 360 spider it shine up good without any clear coat:cool:

Don't use rubbing compound on metallic paints. At least before you apply clear coat. If you do it to the paint, it will take off the top laquer (or something) and it will leave the paint looking too much like copper. Had this problem with my 300ZX, but I ain't redoing it - it took me too long to mask all the stuff on that car.

Did you apply a clearcoat after it?

Originally posted by daggerlee


Did you apply a clearcoat after it?

No, and that was my problem! I used motorcycle acrylic spraypaint, and then I did the door lines and tried to remove some excess with rubbing compound. It's not too bad, but still there is quite substantial effect.

No, and that was my problem! I used motorcycle acrylic spraypaint, and then I did the door lines and tried to remove some excess with rubbing compound. It's not too bad, but still there is quite substantial effect.

Wow, I had the same problem with my 300ZX (my first model too, go figure :P). I tried doing the panel lines and the paint got all smeared and wouldn't come off with thinner.

You should apply a clearcoat, it should restore the metallic finish :)

Originally posted by daggerlee


Wow, I had the same problem with my 300ZX (my first model too, go figure :P). I tried doing the panel lines and the paint got all smeared and wouldn't come off with thinner.

You should apply a clearcoat, it should restore the metallic finish :)

Thought about it. But it will ruin my perfect semi-gloss black parts (do you have any idea how long it took to mask that?;)) maybe I still will do it anyway :)

Do you guys think I need to do a thread on painting metalics?

Thought about it. But it will ruin my perfect semi-gloss black parts (do you have any idea how long it took to mask that?) maybe I still will do it anyway

Put a drop of water on the ruined paint surface. If you can see the paint being restored to its original color through the water, then clear coating is for you :)

Originally posted by Guiddy
Do you guys think I need to do a thread on painting metalics?

I certainly can't see why not.

Adn maybe you could put the correct (and short) order of procedures when working on the car body? Like primer --> (sand a bit with 1200) --> paint --> rubbing compound --> decals --> wax into the FAQ?

Originally posted by daggerlee


Put a drop of water on the ruined paint surface. If you can see the paint being restored to its original color through the water, then clear coating is for you :)

Decided to put it into brake fluid and do it all again. It's probably worth it to do it right, right? :)

Decided to put it into brake fluid and do it all again.

cool, as long as it's not brake cleaner ;) :toothless