I'm preparing for paint in about 4 weeks. I'm going to be painting something close to Cranberry Red (code 75) with White Stripes. I read all the different ways of doing the stripes but have a bigger question. Being at night school for several semesters, I'm going to paint the car myself at school. And as a beginner, I can expect to have orange peel.

The question is this:::::
After 3-4 coats of Base, will 2-3 coats of Clear hide the expected orange peel after the Clear is wet sanded?

Another question:::::::
I plan to paint the stripes approx 2 weeks after the BC/CC is shot. I'll wet sand the Clear, stencil the stripes (mask everything), shoot the stripes, then clear within the allotted timeframe. WetSand accordingly.... Is that an OK process?

Thanks - Duff

No - it will not completely "hide" orange peal. However, it will deminish some visibility depending on the paint color. In some cases it may nearly hide it and in others once you get close you'll see it. Clear is like setting glass over a rug/carpet vs a hardwood floor; No matter how flat the top level of glass is you can still see the 'rug/carpet' through it. If your primer/sealer/base are smoother to begin with your better off. FYI - Set your expectations right - don't expect orange peal - it is very possible to have little to no noticble orange peal the first time. Take the time to do a single fender (if not the front clip on peice at a time) - you'll learn a lot and quickly figure out your gun/tech.

Since you are using Cranberry red, a solid, the visibility of base coat orange peel will be greatly reduced.

I think I'll practice over the next couple of weeks as I've got some extra sheetmetal...

Is it safe to assume if I do have orange peel, I can wetsand, then clear (mechanical bond) OR should I spray another BC, then CC within 24hrs (chemical bond)??

I posted a paint sequence question today but after reading it, it's more for the experienced painter who doesn't have to wetsand the BC (or perhaps the CC)...

anytime you sand the base coat, your gonna have to lay down more base.

Duff,
Check this link http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=178149&page=4 I just pianted my '72 cranberry red (doors back) gonna shoot the hood and decklid w/stripes at a later date. I wouldn't plan on hiding orange peel with clear. In my case I think I only worsened mine with the clear. I have a buttload of peel, but sanding vs. paying $$$, I'll sand. I don't mind sanding all that much, it builds character (haha). My Dad said we should have thinned the clear a little but I odn't even know if it is recommended. Check with your paint guy about when to wetsand and buff. My guy told me to do it 24-36 hours after paintiing and I didn't listen. I waited a week and the **** is pretty hard to sand and will also probably be harder to buff. I am actually cutting in with 600 (in some spots) then sanding with 1000 then with 1500. I've buffed a lot but am a rookie at the painting so don't ask me anything about that. I will leave that up to the pros. Remember this- It won't be perfect, but you are saving a hell of a lot of money and you can tell people you did it yourself. If you want perfect you better fork out the dough to the pros.

If you have orange peel in the base coat, then something is wrong. When you finish the 3 base coats, you shouldn't have peel. If your talking about peel in the clear, then yes, that can be sanded out. If the clear flows out like it should, the peel will be minimal, and will sand out with 1500.

If you have orange peel in the base coat, then something is wrong. When you finish the 3 base coats, you shouldn't have peel. If your talking about peel in the clear, then yes, that can be sanded out. If the clear flows out like it should, the peel will be minimal, and will sand out with 1500.
What he said

I spoke with my instructor tonight and he said I shouldn't have any "Peel" in the basecoat. He said today's BC's lay really flat and nice. He said if there's going to be peel, it will be in the clear. Now to search on the stripe posts again. Do Red or White First???

There should be no peel in the base coat as said. In your instance, I would lay a coat of white base down on the whole car. Let it set for about an hour in the booth so it will have plenty of time to flash. Then you can mask off the stripes and shoot the red. You will have to go over the tech sheets for the color coats before you do anything. You need to know the time window in which you have between the flash time of the final base coat to the longest period of time which can elapse to apply the clear without etching the base. Some basecoats allow 24-48 hours before etching is required. This will give you enough time for the base to flash enough where tape can be applied to mark out the stripes. Remember, you are masking the stripe itself, not the rest of the hood and deck lid. Once the red has been applied and let flash for 45 minutes, pull the masking off CAREFULLY, tack the car one more time and lay the clear down.