After the clear coat. I am by no means a painter, maybe 6 or 7 cars in my life. but this one was the worst for orange peel I ever did.
maybe the heat, humidity , my equipment or me, I don't know but after about a week of cutting and buffing it looks ok.
gonna save the last buff out after I get done nicking it all up.
Same with my car, I've been painting since I was a young kid and now I get real sick when I do large amounts of painting so did mine one peace at a time. it came out real cobby as well and like you sanded and buffed my *** off.
Don't know if you tried Tryzak DA pads that are 3,000 grit but just before you buff for finish sanding they are great. Nice to see someone tackle there own paint job that has done little painting and turn out as nice as yours.