Should I lacquer or not?

[beecon]

My left mirror has always been slightly broken on my Seicento and I've finally got round to sorting it out.

The originals weren't colour coded so I've taken the opportunity and picked up some CCed mirrors from dr_hillman on the forum.

I'm halfway through the painting process and am wondering whether I need to lacquer them or not. I'm 99% sure that my car's paint doesn't have a clearcoat but is it worth doing one for the mirrors? Does it make the finish more durable as well as more shiny? I've never painted car parts before and am wondering whether lacquer is worth the hassle.

 

[beau]

i would lacquer it yes because otherwise it will chip very easy.

 

[beecon]

Thanks beau. I'm in a bit of a rush as I'm heading back to uni early on Wednesday. How long do I need to wait for the paint to harden before I can start sanding and then lacquer it?

 

[beau]

Thanks beau. I'm in a bit of a rush as I'm heading back to uni early on Wednesday. How long do I need to wait for the paint to harden before I can start sanding and then lacquer it?

why do you want to sand it? shouldnt need to.

 

[beecon]

I've read in a couple of places that you should sand to a matte finish before lacquering for best results. The blurb on the Halfords lacquer recommends spraying onto a surface finished with 1200 grit.

Now I'm confused...

 

[beau]

I've read in a couple of places that you should sand to a matte finish before lacquering for best results. The blurb on the Halfords lacquer recommends spraying onto a surface finished with 1200 grit.

Now I'm confused...

well possibly iv never sanded it down before lacquering though and iv done quite alot of spray can spraying.

 

[thepottleflump]

Presume it's a flat colour, I'm not that up on lacquer but you're better off applying fairly soon after the colour so it bonds well, otherwise you'll probably have to sand to key it once it's effectively dry.

If it's a plastic mirror and 2k paint I wouldn't be bothered with lacquer. I repainted my bumper and side skirts and no issues with chipping.

 

[karbineftw]

Lacquer deffo

 

[inniiit]

is your car a metallic or not? if yes then defo lacquer it, if it's just a solid colour then the spray can should have been cellulose and doesnt need it, but often does need flatting and polishing through experience.if this is the case then sand with 1500grit and get some cutting compound (Farecla G3 is the best by far)and rub like mad! the flatting marks will dissapear and you should have a shiny looking mirror

 

[beecon]

Thanks for the replies. My cento is non metallic capri blue. In the end I decided to lacquer them after letting the paint dry overnight. I think sanding would have produced a slightly better finish, but I'm happy with how they've turned out. Shame the colour match is a bit off...

 

[fordliu]

Thanks for the replies. My cento is non metallic capri blue. In the end I decided to lacquer them after letting the paint dry overnight. I think sanding would have produced a slightly better finish, but I'm happy with how they've turned out. Shame the colour match is a bit off...

Glad to hear your good news.Good luck.

 

[mikejt]

i would laquer yes, about 3 coats to give it protection...
i always laquer straight onto the paint finish, i dont sand before hand so dont know what effect this would have