Halfords mixed paint and Lacquer

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Al2O3

Al2O3

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Some simple questions, I hope.
I'm painting my front grille and light surrounds silver. Opted for Zambezi Silver, which I couldn't find in a rattle can, so got some mixed up at Halford's.

Does paint from Halford's mixing service need to be lacquered?
If so, does the paint really need to be flattened down before lacquering. (I've done a test on the badge and it doesn't look great.)
Can you lacquer over the top of the paint finish without flattening? What's bad about doing this?
 
I've read the Halford's web site help page and it says metallic paints should be rubbed down with 1200 grit before lacquering. I used 1200 grit, very lightly, and I could still see the scratch marks through the lacquer. I hate painting. I'll just try lacquer directly on top of the paint tomorrow and see what it looks like,
I presume it's because the lacquer doesn't still so well to the gloss finish of the paint. I hate painting.
Why is painting so ridiculously complicated? I'm not keen on it :(
 
Well, having read more on a few web sites last night, I've just put the lacquer directly on top of the silver paint. This seemed to be the general advice of most people who had actually done it themselves. Lots of talk about the rubbing down of the silver paint actually dulling the metal particles in the paint and it not coming back with the lacquer.
Anyway, they've come up lovely and shiny and smooth.
Still don't like painting though! :)
 
I could be wrong but it sounds like you started with the sand paper a bit too soon. You really really really need to let it dry before you start with sand paper / wet and dry. In some climates / damp weather conditions it might take days to dry before you can sand if it has been applied a bit thick...
 
I'm not a great fan of painting either, and I've never rubbed down before lacquering (unless it's to fix the inevitable drip or fly), but I'm surprised that you can see 1,200 grit scratches by eye.
 
Stretch said:
I could be wrong but it sounds like you started with the sand paper a bit too soon. You really really really need to let it dry before you start with sand paper / wet and dry. In some climates / damp weather conditions it might take days to dry before you can sand if it has been applied a bit thick...
Click to expand...
Possibly. I've no experience to be perfectly honest. The Halford's web site said 24 hours, which is all I did. having said that the panels were in the conservatory and so the had a good baking that day and the paint wasn't that thick. From what I read on Thursday night it seems to be very popular to lacquer straight on top of the paint. Many people on forums and two painting websites talked about cutting the metal particles with the wet and dry and dulling them. I'm very pleased with the finish tonight, but if it goes wrong long term at least its just the grille and light surrounds.

boguing said:
I'm not a great fan of painting either, and I've never rubbed down before lacquering (unless it's to fix the inevitable drip or fly), but I'm surprised that you can see 1,200 grit scratches by eye.
Click to expand...
I could see fine scratches quite easily and the overall dulling effect was very noticeable. The Halfords guide, and others, say to rub down metallic and pearlescent paints before lacquering. Have you had any downsides to your lacquering directly on to the paint? eg lacquer flaking off or something I've no idea what the down side is of not rubbing it down.
 
No idea how durable it was because I sold the car soon after (it was the wheels that I'd painted). I seriously doubt that it's going to be a problem for you though.
 
That's what I though, boguing. Minimal risk really, it's not like it's the full body work.
Poor picture and you can't tell what it like really, but here it is.
DSC_0285_zpsm89rcw0v.jpg
 
Start with pure paint 2 coats. 1 coat 50/50 with lacquer. 1 coat 60/40, 1 coat 80/20, one coat 95/05 and a coat of clear on top. Problem is it will show the rest up.
 
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