Orange Peel with Metallic Paint

Happy Thanksgiving for those who are in the USA.

I have a question: I just put on the final coat of Metallic Red Paint on my model RX8. Before this last coat, I didn't think there was any Orange Peel. Now the final coat is drying, it appears that there is some Orange Peel. Knowing that I need to spray Clear coat on it in about a week or two, should I sandpaper the body before the Clear coat? Or I should just spray the Clear coat on and it will take care of the Orange Peel?

Please advice. Thanks!

Spray the clear on it before doing and sanding/polishing.

If I were you I'd sand it back (be careful not to uncover primer - you used it didn't you?) then shoot another coat of metallic. Real thin to avoid any further orange peel then clear coat.

the orange peel is not very severe, so I'm still not sure what I should do. This is the third time I painted this body. I tried sanding the first paint job, but it went to far and into the primer, so I had to strip it and repaint it.

What grade of sand paper should I use? I have 600 and 1500 on hand now.

you would definately want to use the 1500 if you are going to sand. take caution because metallic paints tend to lighten significantly more under sanding that other paints, so you don't want a spot of mismatching color.

Thank you for your comments. After long consideration, I think I will just put on the clear coat and then polish & wax it later. I have repainted this kit three times and sanded the plastic so much, I don't want to sand it again. If I sand directly to the paint, I am risking it and may need to strip and paint the whole thing if any mistake.

Thank you anyway for the suggestion.

You should not polish or sand metallic finishes,polish the clear,and you will always have orange peel.

Put it under running water - if it hides the orange peel, then so will a clearcoat. If not - take Rallyraider's advice.