fussell wrote:Hi Guys
I aimed to get all the white parts painted on the weekend with the final white glossy top coat. Unfortunately this didn't go to plan. I rubbed down all the parts ready to paint. I sprayed the top and lower parts of the monocoque and nose cone, but as the paint was drying it got more speckley. Any ideas on why this happened?
I stopped before painting the other parts. I'm gonna get and a new can of paint, rub the parts back to the primer and repaint. On a positive note, I have designed some front uprights, which enable the steering arm/track rod to be anchored to the upright higher up. Therefore hiding it better. I hope to get them made soon.

what kind of paint were you using and what temperature was it?
if you have an air compressor I would recommend getting something like this and spraying automotive paints through it.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... IUBEPMCMAA
If you must use rattle car put the cans in hot water for 15 min before you spray. This will up the pressure and thin the paint to give you a better atomization.
Prep is the key though use a filler primer and put it on heavy. Give it plenty of time to dry then mist it with a differnt color.
This will serve as a guide coat. Now wet sand with 240. This will show you where you have to add some glazing putty or filler.
https://www.google.com/search?aq=f&suge ... 20&bih=979
once you have all of the major areas filled and sanded hit it with another coat of primer and a guide coat as before. now wet sand with 400-600 grit. You should and until you cant see any dark lines in the guide coat. These are sanding scratches from earlier grits.
once you have a good flat surface you can apply your base coat. Depending on what paint system you are using this may also be your final coat. It is important to spray with a wet edge you don't want the paint to dry in the air. This is controlled by you distance and speed. Never start spraying on the part always start off and come into the part. Spray all of your hard to reach areas and sharp edges first. Spray in even strokes with a 50% overlap.
One coat may be enough if not give a good dry time then hit it again. If doing metallic I like to give a mist coat from about 3X the distance I was spraying into wet paint to get rid of any stripes in the metallic.
Let it dry at room temp. You don't want to get it to hot or it will solvent pop. The outer coat of paint will cure before the reducers have a chance to out gas. Its better to be too cold than to hot.
For most people this is good.
If you have a real sickness you can wet sand and buff.
And as always follow all laws, wear safety equipment, eat your vegetables.