After weeks of preparation we finally were able to shoot top coat paint. Today was a very long day that started with washing the "top sides" (sorry, nautical term) which is the area from the roof down to where the cargo doors begin and the bumpers. We washed this area twice with clean water and sponges changing the water out on round two. This was to get any remaining primer dust removed.
While doing this we discovered many rough areas on one side where the sanding wasn't as smooth as need be. This resulted with us wet sanding the entire side with 600 grit paper to smooth it out. We rewashed both sides again after sanding. After the sides dried we then wiped it down again with acetone to make sure they were as clean as possible before spraying top coat.
The top coat used is an Awlgrip product called Awlcraft 2000 its a 2 part acrylic urethane top coat paint. The color sprayed is Moon Glow Silver which is a metallic color. Its mixed 2 parts base with 1 part spray converter and then we used a reducer and reduced it 25%.
This color was only used for the "top sides" on both port and starboard sides (sorry I'm a sailer and used to handling these jobs on boats), and the front from the bumper to the roof. The back, lower portion (bumpers and cargo doors) will be getting a darker color yet to be determined.
The first coat which was a light tack coat was done in about 20 minutes, then we waited until we had about 35 minutes for the paint to flash and we hit it the second coat to bring the color out, and this process was done until we completed 1 gallon of the base and we achieved 4 coats on the coach.
All said and done we had 2 small runs in the rear port side up near the roof (drivers side for you land lovers). Hard to see but I think we can wet sand them out, most people would probably never see it but I know its there. In the end we had a small speck in a couple other areas despite being inside. Most I think can be handled by wet sanding with some 2000 grit paper and a buffer.
I am pleased with the paint so far, the pictures are not real good as it now looks like a shinny space craft as we went from primer gray to bright silver. I took pictures after 6PM so the light inside the building isn't good and the paint isn't all dried. It will appear to be different shades but these are shadows reflecting from the paint. I will show a picture of the front which gives some indication of the sheen. Until we get the bottom color on and pull it outside one can not appreciate the paint job yet.
Anyhow, I'm pleased with finally getting some paint on the coach so were making headway!!