Let the paint dry, sand and wait 48 hours before the “wetter” final coat. That wetter last coat is where the overall gloss finish is achieved. The trick is to lay it on heavy enough to be shiny, but not thick enough to run or drip. The larger the model, the harder it is to get an overall gloss.
SAND IF NECESSARY
Just wait till the paint is dry and lightly sand it with a fine grit sanding block to smooth it over. Paint over it again and you should be good to go!
Gloss coats dulling
If you are spray painting your item or surface in a humid or damp setting, this can often affect the appearance of the gloss coating. If the item needs buffing such as a metal, if it is done prematurely, this can have an effect on how glossy it stays.
To achieve even more gloss, apply a high gloss varnish once the painting is finished and the paint is dry. There is a product by Liquitex that is both a gloss medium and varnish, so you could use it to mix with the paint as well as use it for a final coat of varnish.
However, you can get it to shine. Sand it with low grit sandpaper that can be used both wet and dry. Next, rub it out with a rubbing and polishing cream. This method gets clear coats to shine.
Buffing with a hand compound brings back gloss to the paint, and when done properly, is generally the least intrusive method of paint correction beyond a clay bar.
Grainy paint finish and Paint runs
If you spray too far away from the substrate you are painting, the paint will atomise and dry before it actually hits the substrate. This will leave a grainy feel on the top surface. You should be able to sand this back and reapply for a much smoother finish.
Clearcoat Spray Paint
Allow 30 minutes after base coat color has been applied to apply the clear coat. Apply 4-5 wet (but not dripping) coats waiting 10+ minutes in between coats. Each coat should be dry to the touch (not tacky) before moving on to the next.
Start with 120-grit sandpaper to remove surface imperfections, then move to 200-grit sandpaper to get the surface perfectly smooth.
an airless paint sprayer, consider the following: Airless paint sprayers are used by skilled novices and professionals for large surfaces such as interior walls and house siding. This type of sprayer uses pressurized force to deliver a large volume of paint quickly.
Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or heat from radiators, stoves, hot water and other hot items that may cause bursting. Additionally, for best finish, avoid using Krylon spray paint directly in hot, humid weather.
Make sure you remove sanding residue before applying additional coats. I recommend three thin coats of paint, but it all depends on the color and consistency. After the final coat of flat paint, sand* lightly with super fine sandpaper. Your project should be smooth and even.
Professional home painting services can tell you that, generally speaking, rollers provide smoother, more even results with less effort than brushes. This makes sense, considering the size, capacity, and mechanics of rollers allow for more coverage with fewer strokes.
You may have asked yourself: "Do I need a clear coat over spray paint?" The answer is yes - if you want your painted surfaces to look their best and last for years. Clear coating provides several benefits that make it essential in any painting project.
Depending on the sheen of paint used, you can also apply a clear coat over spray paint. If you use high-gloss, semi-gloss and you want a shiny finish, you really don't have to seal it. If you're using a lower sheen, then you can seal with a water-based sealer.
You can apply three to four layers of clear coat to achieve the glossiest finish.