spots in an enamel paint job

Paint thinner isn't even *close* to being an adequate pre-paint cleaning fluid. It leaves an oily residue that will interfere with paint adhesion and cause dimples.

If you didn't prime your wasting your time. Paint doesen't stick to anything worth s*it except for primer. To do it right most people blast with walnut shells, then metal prep, then an acid-etching primer. However you can do quickie jobs just by wet sanding the existing paint to roughen it up, prime over that, then paint. Of course the paint will probably peel off in a few years but you will probably sell the car by then.

There's tons of links out there, Google is your friend.

Ted

also use windex as a final wipe down after the lacquer thinner and before paint.

nate

PPG should offer a cleaner to use immediately prior to painting. Just forget the cost--it's cheap when it saves a re-do! If the paint is a non-metallic color, you can use 400 to wet-sand and then buff out, POSSIBLY to your satisfaction. If it was metallic, AND you sprayed clear on top, you can do the same thing. If it is metallic and NO clear was used, or in any case, you can sand it and apply coats on top. ENSURE sanding gets all the dimples, eyes, spots(whatever we call them) completely flat in any case. Too much time should not be a factor. A minimum time of several days of drying should be sufficient for acrylic enamel. HTH & good luck. s