Can't get glossy finish

I'm trying my first rattle can paint job and am following the steps outlined in this write up on KTOF .

I've laid down about 5 color coats and can't get a consistent gloss. I'm using duplicolor spray laquer and I'm doing my damdest to be consistent in the distance from the tank and thickness of the coats.

I'm getting good color coverage but I'll have a glossy stripe here and there but the rest is pretty flat.

Any tips for a noob? Any good videos out there about rattle can technique?

Here's the how-to I followed,
ChuckHawks.com - Harley Paintin' for the Under-funded & Under-skilled ....

Thanks that helps a lot. So for those of us that don't know what we're doing, the shine comes with the polish not the paint or even the clear coat.

I got shine from the Eastwood European Eurethane Clear (Two Part) that I used. But I have seen people have issues getting shine from rattle color before and the clear seems to make it pop. OMR (OldManRock) would be a good person to ask as he did rattle with two-part clear also (my rattle was a wheel paint with flecks in it so it was a little different than your average rattle color).

Would also not spray when the air is humid, as high humidity can result in a foggy appearing finish.

Good Fortune!

Yeah humidity is definitely playing a role. I'm in Virginia and right now the only time the humidity is lower than 60% seems to be when the temp is above 90 degrees. So I'm having trouble finding decent days to paint. And Patton's description of a foggy finish seems to describe what I'm getting.

I've got some spraymax 2 part clear coat on the way for the tank. But I was planning on just using some duplicolor clear enamel for the side covers.

When the parts are wet they look great. I'm hoping that's what I'll get with the clear coat and some polish.

If it is a true lacquer, than it will not be gloss until it is buffed out. Also. Lacquer is not Gas proof. You get any Gas on it and it will dissolve right off. Also there are two basic Lacquer types, Nitrate and Butyrate. Butyrate, also sometimes incorrectly called Acrylic Lacquer, is a bit more durable then Nitrate and is a bit more glossy. Yes, humidity is a demon to lacquer. It causes an affect known as "blushing". High application temperatures are also a problem. This causes "dusting".

You should use the 2k on all the body parts. 2 cans is plenty for 1 bike. I painted mine in my air conditioned basement, then aired the house out.

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Thanks for all the advice. I laid four coats of clear enamel on the side covers this morning. It's got that same foggy effect Patton was describing. I'm hoping that will come out with some sanding and polishing.

Topper wrote: Thanks for all the advice. I laid four coats of clear enamel on the side covers this morning. It's got that same foggy effect Patton was describing. I'm hoping that will come out with some sanding and polishing.

u will want to use the same 2 pt clear on all parts. the side covers color will fade with a 1 pt clear.

Ok, can the 2 part clear go on over the 1 part?