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Re: Polishing cloths or polishing compound???
Polishing cloths only = hazy, smooth finish.
Compound only = glossy finish with some texture (orange peel) depending on how smooth the primer/paint were applied.
Both = the right way to do it. You are supposed to use a liquid compound after the cloths. Tamiya fine/finish compounds are great, but Meguiars Scratch X works extremely well, Kit Scratch Out also works, as well as Novus #2 plastic polish. Be wary of other automotive products, they may have petroleum chemicals that will damage the paint. I can generally tell by the smell of a compound whether it's safe or not.
Burning through paint when polishing is common. Avoid those areas, cut small pieces of tape to protect them when polishing, apply more clearcoat in the first place, and learn by experience are all methods that will help you avoid and minimize the potential problem. Still happens to me and I've painted/polished hundreds of models. I know how to touch up paint carefully and avoid 99.9% of visible burn-throughs.
Smoother paint in the first place results in fewer problems later on. When I prime a model, I then use 3200 grit to smooth the primer. I apply the first round of color, and hit w/3600. I apply a second/final round of color, and hit it w/3600 and 4000. Then I start to clearcoat, laying on a first round of clear, wetsand w/3600-4000, apply a second round of clear with at least one or two good wet final coats. Then depending on the gloss I can get away w/using 3600-6000 grit before liquid, if there's a bit too much orange peel I'll start w/3200, if it's a very dark color I'll use all the cloths through 12000 before liquid.
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