Framebuilders - Wet sand or clear-coat

So I'm spraypainting an old frame for my girlfriend. I sanded it down to bare metal, used a primer and then started spraying Rustoleum High Performance Enamel. Its coming out with a bit of an orange peel look. I know that wet sanding would help. Wet sanding is, however, a messy and tiresome process. I was wondering if I could just cheat and clearcoat the paint. Do you think it would smooth out the finish, or would it still look rough?

So I'm spraypainting an old frame for my girlfriend. I sanded it down to bare metal, used a primer and then started spraying Rustoleum High Performance Enamel. Its coming out with a bit of an orange peel look. I know that wet sanding would help. Wet sanding is, however, a messy and tiresome process. I was wondering if I could just cheat and clearcoat the paint. Do you think it would smooth out the finish, or would it still look rough?
Nope. The clearcoat will follow the contours of the orange peel. Man up and do your girlfriend's frame right, wet sand it. And don't sray on the paint so heavily, more light coats rather than few heavy coats.

Orange peel is a two part problem, too much drying on the surface for the amount of paint under the surface, so lighter coats as mentioned. Also keep an eye on your temperature. With a spray can you can't control load mix, air pressure, add various conditioners, etc... So the paint is prety much going to go on at some minimal coverage level below which you can't control it while getting a decent surface. SOmetime controlling the drying conditions is the only other option. Also, the wet sanded surface will hold the paint back from sliding a little.

I've been doing pretty sparse coats. I think part of the problem was not sanding between priming and painting. Oh well. Looks like i'll be making a mess tomorrow.

wetsand the color lightly, then clear it a bunch of times. Then you wetsand and compoound, and then two weeks later you wax it.

well, that what I would do!

steve

Orange peel is caused by the paint going on too dry. Start dry then turn the volume knob until you get a wet, glossy coat. But not so wet that the paint runs; it’s a fine balance that takes practice. Be careful of build up and runs around the joints.