Orange peel / Application of clearcoat?

Hello guys, I have a question concerning the painting of my old laptop.

It's an Inspiron 2200 and the finish was ever so slightly textured. I followed this painting guide and took all necessary sanding and cleaning precautions:

[Guide] Painting Patterns (with Spraypaint) - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net

I primed with 3 coats of Halford's automotive white primer (as I would later be using red gloss), which is from a rattle can. Then I did 4 light coats of gloss black (same brand). Every time I painted I seemed to get orange peel, but then I would wetsand it down with 1200 grit and apply a new coat. Now I cannot seem to get a smooth enough finish without sanding. When I do wet-sand it takes away the gloss and looks awful

My questions are :
1. How can I stop this orange peel effect
2. Should I apply clearcoat to the wet-sanded gloss black or to a non-sanded coat and then sand out any imperfections in the final clearcoat?

I hope to post pictures when my camera decides to work

 

That guide says to wet sand with 400-600 grit, where I would recommend 1500 grit, but your 1200 will work just fine. The base color will look dull after sanding, but when you apply the clear it will shine again .

 

Awesome thanks. One more question (sorry )
Would Brasso work as a rubbing compound over the clear?

 

You don't need rubbing compound, that might do more damage than good.

I would wetsand with 1500 grit sandpaper. Then get some auto polish and polish the surface. It will look great.

 

Cool thanks for the help, most of the guides out there contradict each other

 

i would go 2000/2500/3000 on top of the 1500.

I was never happy with the finish 1500 gave me.