I went down and had a guy near me (20 miles away) paint my tour pack to match my bike. I bought the paint. He was recommended by the local HD shop. I went to pick it up today and, Ummm,,, How do I say it delicately??? Not what I had in mind.
The color was correct but the finish was somewhere between a basketball texture and orange peel. Not what I was thinking I would be seeing.
Hell, I can paint orange peel finish! The rest of my bike is smooth as silk. He did say if I brought it back installed on the bike he would buff it out to be smooth. My question is why put it on the bike? It is clearly not ready to be installed. It now has the seat installed as well as the luggage rack. I would think that will need to be removed again in order for him to properly rub it out smooth. It should have been gleaming smooth when I picked it up. We are supposed to meet this weekend to let him try and work out the finish details, so I am reserving judgment right now until he gets a chance to make it right. but I am still shocked he thought that this was acceptable. As it is I now have to make an additional 2nd trip down to meet with him (40 mile round trip). This is now taking up my time and effort. I had expected that it be perfect when I picked it up. After all that is why I paid him to do it. I wanted it to be correct and perfect.
My research tells me we should be wet sanding with a very fine grit (2000 grit), and then finer grit,, then even finer grit, then finally polishing it. I am willing to put in the labor of sanding it. I called him and he says he does not want me to touch it. We will see if this all ends with a happy ending. For now, the thing looks hideous. I am embarrassed to ride down to the shop with that hanging off the back of my bike.

 

Pics? Sounds like he doesn't know how to prep appropriately.

 

I've done a little painting, and doing the sanding with ultra fine paper is what made my work OK. You need to back it up with a block though so you just sand the tops of the humps off.

 

I just took pics. Need to figure out how to get them on here. I am a newby.

 

 

See. I Learned something!

 

Ouch! I don't like this orange skin effect.
Is it the paint or the clear coat that have that finish...

 

Ouch, I've seen less orange peel in a whole orchard.

Hope he can make it right for you, if not I'd be demanding a full refund.

 

Yes that is a mess for sure.

 

Pretty rough. It needs a good wetsand and buff. I would never send it out like that.