I have to paint a small pc that's going into the engine bay (using a decal too). Not big enough to bust out the equipment, so I thought about using spray paint. Here is the plan, let me know what you think...

Sand blank with 250 grit
spray with an etching filler/primer
wet sand with 400 grit
spray with color (I think the cans are lacquer)
wet sand with 600 grit
put decal on
spray decal and its edges with clear
wet sand clear edge to feather with 600
spray final clear coat
final wet sand with 1000 grit

Now the catch is it has been quite a while for paint so I'm not too sure on the grit of paper to use. Does this seem ok, or should I go to 1000 for the color coat and on? Thanks!

 

I've had good luck wetsanding with 600 between color coats of acrylic lacquer. For the clear coat or final top coat, wait for the solvents to flash off (about a day) then maching polish. Don't wax/seal for about 30 days.

 

...This I gotta see...