Just a quick question for you guys: Im about to spray a hood with "ppg omni AU quick clear" and im a little uncertain about suitable substrates. I know it can go right over a base that's had proper flash time but I had to let it fully cure because the base has a little orange peel in it that has to be sanded. I can use 800-1000 grit paper to sand it, right? The substrate for the base coat needed to be prepped with 400 grit and I think the clear needs 800-1000 scratches to hold. Anybody know if that's right?

Here's the spec sheet:
Base is MTK acrylic urethane
http://www.ppg.com/refinishftpsite/docs/ob32.pdf#search='mc260%20quick%20clear'

if you sand the basecoat, you must apply more basecoat to the sanded area. you can't just sand a base, then clear. and since you will need to be adding more basecoat to the sanded area you can drop down to 600 even if you wanted to. But 800-1000 will be fine, just make sure you shoot more base after you sand it, then clear it.

Originally posted by optikal
if you sand the basecoat, you must apply more basecoat to the sanded area. you can't just sand a base, then clear. and since you will need to be adding more basecoat to the sanded area you can drop down to 600 even if you wanted to. But 800-1000 will be fine, just make sure you shoot more base after you sand it, then clear it.

couldnt have sed it better .

oh ok. I was confused about that. Now onto my next question: Is it true that the number one reason for orange peel is improper settings on the gun? Im spraying with a cheap ebay gravity HVLP and I dont have a regulator or gauge at the gun so it's kind of a crap shoot to get it set correctly.

yes, it's all in getting the gun set up properly for the material you are spraying. you don't HAVE to have a $500 Sata spraygun to get nice results, though. i can lay down a smooth finish with a harbor frieght special as long as it's set up right. have you been to http://www.autobody101.com? check out there forums and do some searching and reading. you will learn a TON about painting. there are some really good painters on that forum.

Originally posted by optikal
yes, it's all in getting the gun set up properly for the material you are spraying. you don't HAVE to have a $500 Sata spraygun to get nice results, though. i can lay down a smooth finish with a harbor frieght special as long as it's set up right. have you been to http://www.autobody101.com? check out there forums and do some searching and reading. you will learn a TON about painting. there are some really good painters on that forum.

Man, that site is awesome! Thanks again.