HELP - painting the gas tank

[colddude]

Hi

I scratched up my bike's tank from a fall and am in the process of repainting it. I did a thorough research online before tackling this myself, but is having some trouble finishing the job.

I had some paint chips, deep scratches, etc, and had to sand things down, apply bondo/putty in some bare spots, etc. I used some primer to fill small chips, let dry, then sand everything down....in fact I sand pretty well using 600 grit wet, and later 2000 grit wet, etc/etc. the whole area is very smooth, and I also sand the surrounding areas to dull the undamaged paint.

The surface is now ready for the primer, as it is super smooth. The first coat of primer (black) flashed dry to reveal blotches of areas, like a map! I thought the second coat would take care of it, but it does not. The primer was applied smooth/even, but I can't get ride of the irregular "map" patterns.

So I've stopped now, and want to find out if this is bad, how should I continue? Would more coat of primer even things out eventually? What if I apply the final color paint, would that cover up the irregular patterns?

Help!!!!!

[colddude]

Still looking to some pointers on how to rid of the patterns...

I added a 3rd coat of primer, and things appears to be better, but the irregular "map" pattern is still quite visible.

If I follow normal process, my next step is to sand it smooth again using 800 grit paper, before applying the final color paint layers.

Would sanding down the primer a bit get rid of the irregular pattern? I think they come from the original, non-damaged paint area, which was dulled using 600 grit paper. But the primer does not adhere to it the same way as other areas with putty?

[colddude]

Advice from another forum...I am sanding with way too fine of a grit at 2000, and build up of primer coats should help....

Indeed it works, after I sand the primer with 320 and apply one more primer coat. Things are looking much better. I plan to sand once more on the last primer coat with 320, then one more primer coat. I am hoping that would take care of the patterns.

At that point, I will follow the advice to sand the last primer coat with 600-800, before applying the final color paint.

[Ravenbane]

Sorry I did not see this post earlier. If you still need any tips, I will give you what I went by for mine.

1. Sand tank etc to a smooth finish (600, or as advised on primer instructions).
2. Primed and sanded to 600 finish
3. Then paint with base coat then sand with 1000/1500 /2000grit, apply decals and heatset them.
4. Clearcoat 3 or 4 good coats, sand with 1500/2000
5. Now buff with compound , then buff with polishing compound.
NO AUTO WAX OR POLISH FOR 3 MONTHS!!!!

Using this method you will get one hell of a shine that beats the hell out of any factory finish.