Painting / Finish Problems

[Captain Mark]

Hi all,

I'm currently working on a Tamiya 1/24 300ZX. I used Tamiya grey plastic primer first up, no problems, went on perfect.

Now I'm using a silver automotive acrylic pressure pack (Holts Dupli-Color DSF85) and having some trouble. I spray it on (as per instructions on this site), but I just can't keep bits of dust off it!!! I spray the bonnet/hood/body, put it in a clean, sealed container immediately, but bits of dust and muck still seem to settle on it!
Is this just a matter of luck in having the paint set 'clean'???

But that's not the major issue I suppose.
I can use fine sandpaper to get the bits out, but it seems like I sand, then paint, then sand, then paint, then sand... and so on. So I tried using Tamiya Cutting Compound to smooth the finish. It does seem to smooth the finish well, but makes the section become all matt/flat, not glossy. It loses its metallic finish, and the colour is slightly inconsistent.

I'm at a bit of a loss...
A fresh coat of paint might fix it... but if the dust settles again I'm back at square one.

Would it be possible to keep the dust specs on, or cut back the paint, and then just put a coat of clear over this... then cut and polish the clear? I tend to doubt the clear would hide the above problems... asking anyway just in case though. I'm running out of ideas quick...

Any help would be much appreciated.
I'm really trying to make this kit something special compared to what I've done in the past.

Thanks for any tips,
Mark

[StephenDeli]

The only thing I can think of is maybe that brand of paint attracts dust more. I could be wrong though...

[djmr2]

Get a spray booth, dust will get sucked away as long as you don't have the fan drawing air across the model, but even then it'll still keep it cleaner...

Actually i've had alot of success with wet sanding the base coat and then applying a clear over even when the base is still flat and not shiny.. just get a nice clear on it, and polish that out, voila... give it a try.

[pflau]

are you SURE its not the paint?? some paint goes bad for whatever reason and they always dry like they have dusts and dirts on it.

if its not the paint.. make sure you dont spray in a dusty place. when you get dusts.. sand it away.. yes the finish with be inconsistant.. heres what you do:

spray several mist coats..

did I say spray several mists coats???

mist coats cut down dramatically the possibility of dists and dirts because the paint is never wet enough to attract dusts.

spray several costs will even out the finish.

now you can put on the gloss.

[StephenDeli]

I also thought you shouldnt polish metallic paints unless they have a few coats of clear over them?????

[Captain Mark]

I've actually tried spraying a number of mist coates... but it seems after quite a few the finish is still not not very 'metallicy'. It seems matted and blotchy.

Perhaps with about 20 coates... not sure.
Will keep experimenting.
Thanks folks.