Paint-Match in Rattle Can: Can't Get Glossy Finish

[G-Cat]

So, the hood on my 1998 4Runner suffered extreme clear coat failure. With 265K miles, it is mechanically perfect but not something I need a perfect paint job on.

I ordered 2 cans of color-matched paint in a rattle can (Toyota Anthracite code 1A1). I had some primer and a few cans of Duplicolor clear on the shelf.

I sanded, cleaned, primed, sanded, primed, sanded, primed, wet sanded, color, wet sand, color, wet sand, color, clear, clear, clear.

Paint matches well, but appears very flat compared to the factory paint. This color is a metallic.

I am NOT a painter, admittedly, but am wondering if the finish is due to my lack of skill, the inferiority of rattle-can paint or not enough/wrong type of clear coat?

Thanks for any help.

 

[stevezero]

you can try a can of 2k clear coat available from amazon. lightly scuff the hood and follow the directions on the can. Its a two part clear. You shake it up, press the plunger in the bottom of the can to release the catalyst, and shake more. Spray a light coat, let it set for a while, then put on a heavy coat. It has a pot life of about 24 hours depending on temperature. You may be able to get by with one can, but you may want 2 just to be safe. They are $25.00 a pop or so. If you go that route, make sure you wear a good respirator, not a dust mask. That 2k stuff is nasty to your body.

 

[antFJ]

I thought you wernt supposed to wet sand metallics? You're supposed to wet sand the clear that goes on top of it?

 

[G-Cat]

I thought you wernt supposed to wet sand metallics? You're supposed to wet sand the clear that goes on top of it?

No idea! Anyone?

 

[G-Cat]

Google says no block sanding metallics but wet sanding is okay...although only if necessary...so maybe I'll re coat with Anthracite and then use done higher quality clear without the wet sand in between.

 

[antFJ]

if the metal flakes look okay and you just want more gloss you can try to wet sand the clear as it is right now.

not entirely the same but i used some similar paints on my iron man helmet project... in order to get the clear coat to be really glossy i had to wet sand the clear

 

[dirtyboots]

It may be the product quality. I tried the exact same thing with the exact same results. I don't have the rig anymore but if I did I would definitely try the 2k stuff. I think Eastwood is selling a similar if not the same product.

 

[Tin basher]

you can't really sand a metalic paint unless its cleared
if you sand on the colour coat you will disturb the metalic and even fine scratches from wet sanding will do it and show after you clear it