window frame painting.. before or after compound/waxing?

hey guys, like the title says.. should i paint the window frames before or after compounding/waxing? thanks

Joel

after compounding - before waxing

Kinda depends.

There are multiple ways of doing it, depending on you and the techniques and paints that you use. As such, there is no one and only right way.

For example- I use automotive laquers to paint bodies, and acrylics for window trim. Usually, I paint, clearcoat, polish and wax. Then I'll mask, 'key' the surrounds with gentle sanding, and paint the surrounds. This way, if I have any overspray on the bodycolor, it's easy to polish it off of the wax.

But if I'm painting surrounds and applying BMF trim, I might do both before clearcoating, so that the BMF is under the clearcoat. If I overspray on the bodycolor, it should still be removable by careful polishing- but not as easily than if it was on a waxed surface.

There is no right or wrong, and generally there are advantages and disadvantages to any approach.

thanks for the replies.. im using all tamiya paints, so should i follow freakray's advice?

Tamiya what- laquer, acrylic or enamel? For the body or for the surrounds?

for the body i used ts-30 (silver leaf) then ts-13 (clear)

And the surrounds?

surrounds?? all the exterior (side mirrors and side skirts) are painted the same color.

Andy, why would you clearcoat BMF? I think it looses its "metal" shine and look when clearcoated, kind of negates the whole purpose.

The frames. What are you planning to paint the frames with?

Andy, why would you clearcoat BMF? I think it looses its "metal" shine and look when clearcoated, kind of negates the whole purpose.

I don't see a difference between clearcoated and unclearcoated BMF, at least in the trim applications (kidney grilles, etc) I've used it for. :dunno: So I like to seal it down so corners and edges don't get caught and peeled up in handling. I suppose on a larger area, I'd be less inclined to clearcoat BMF (I'm not clearcoating my Lotus 7! :grinno:)- but it's really just another matter of personal preference.

to paint the frame, im going to use x-18

Using Tamiya acrylics over Tamiya laquers is pretty easy- if you make an error, it's simple to clean it up without effecting the body paint. So the wax isn't terribly important to protect the body color from drips and oversprays. You'll get better adhesion on the frames then if you don't wax first. Or you can wax, do your frame masking and then gently sand the frames to give the acrylic some 'tooth' to adhere to before painting (I like to do this sanding whether or not I've waxed, because sometimes the frame painting will chip slightly when the masking is removed).

So, either way works fine. It's really your choice.

...either way works fine. It's really your choice.
Uff! I've been been on the edge of my seat for three days now waiting for the answer to this question :evillol: ;)

j/k Andy - you are right of course