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Step‑by‑Step Guide: Polishing Your Model Kits for a Perfect Shine

Achieve a mirror-like shine on your plastic model kits. Step-by-step guide covering surface prep, wet sanding grits, and final polishing compounds.

After you spray your clear coat, does the surface of your model still look a bit rough or lack that glossy shine? No worries ,with the right sanding and polishing steps, you can bring your finish to a mirror‑like shine using Kaleido Colorworks varnishes!

Here’s a step‑by‑step guide:

Prepare You’ll Need

Sandpaper: from 4,000 up to 10,000 grit

400‑grit polishing compound

3800‑grit polishing compound

Step‑By‑Step Process

1. Initial Sanding

Start with 4000 grit to remove tiny surface imperfections and build a clean base for polishing.

2. Smooth It Out

Move up to 6000 grit to smooth sanding marks and improve how light reflects off the surface.

3. Pre‑Mirror Stage

Use 8000 grit next to refine the surface more. You’ll start to see clearer reflections here.

4. Ultra Smooth

Finish sanding with 10000 grit ultrafine paper. This removes micro scratches and prepares the surface for polishing.

Time to Polish

1. Apply 400 grit polishing compound with a cloth in small circular motions. This will buff out the fine texture and bring out the first level of shine.

2. Finish with 3800 grit polishing compound for a deep, rich glossy shine.

Result: After this combo of sanding and polishing, your surface should be mirror‑smooth and glossy, both visually and to the touch.

Pro Tips for Better Finishes

Add thinner or retarder when spraying varnish

Add 1–2 drops of retarder thinner or thinner into your airbrush cup for smoother clear coats.

Use a hobby‑drying oven

After spraying, cure your piece in a hobby drying oven (not a kitchen oven!) ,this helps the varnish flow and level better.

Build up extra layers

If you know you’re going to polish, spray slightly thicker / multiple coats of clear first ,this gives you more material to safely sand and polish.