Acrylic Paint Help needed

[Wagster]

I've been into swirl painting my enclosures after seeing Dragonfly's awesome tutorial.I'm having a problem with the acrylic paint leaving bumps/bubbles when it drys.I've tried shaking and stirring the paint with no luck.My basement is dry and around 70-75 degrees.I'm using Anita's acrylic paint.Any ideas on what might be the cause?

Thanks,
Billy

[joegagan]

try sanding with 400 or 600 before the clearcoat. any dullness or 400/600 scratching in the finish will normally disapear when the first clearcoat hits it.

[Wagster]

Thanks Joe.I'll give that a try.Wet or dry sandpaper for the acrylic?I'll post some pics after I shoot some clear coat.

[joegagan]

well, the only 400 or 600 i have seen is the wet/dry type, but i would try using it dry on acryl.

where's andy?

[Dragonfly]

I havent been having those issues....

the thing that scares me about sanding the acrylic BEFORE the first/second/third clear coat is that, until you start to clear coat it, the acrylic has a tendency to "peel" up.

ADVICE...try Joes advice, but try it on a different enclosure or piece of metal first, that way you dont mess up a cool swirl if it doesnt work.

When the paint consistency is right, then the acrylic color coats dry really smooth....it takes some practice.

[joegagan]

yeah. sand REALLY lightly at first to avoid the fruit rollup effect.

[Wagster]

Thanks guys.I've lightly sanded and it smoothed things out.I still need to figure out why I'm not getting a smooth finish from the get go.Here's a pic of the enclosure before the clear coat.


http://swirlfinish.blogspot.com/

[Rocket Roll]

I still need to figure out why I'm not getting a smooth finish from the get go.Here's a pic of the enclosure before the clear coat.

Not enough water in the paint, perhaps?

[SteveB]

Thanks guys.I've lightly sanded and it smoothed things out.I still need to figure out why I'm not getting a smooth finish from the get go.Here's a pic of the enclosure before the clear coat.


http://swirlfinish.blogspot.com/

Man, I think you are being too critical. It surely looks good to me.