1. Masked off Reflectors and Reverse Lamps with masking tape
2. Sanded down Light Bar with 180 grit sandpaper
Was the texture rough, or just lightly scored?
3. Dusted off the lightbar and checked for inconsistencies in my sanding fixed them
Did you wash the lightbar? Lighly soapy water works pretty well, I also find a mild detergent soultion is good.
4. "Brite Touch" (Grey) General Purpose Primer (x3) 10 min. dry time/coat When you spray with primer, you should mist it first, then lightly sand down the misted coat. The areas that are untouched by the sandpaper show you the low spots, the areas abraded heavily show you the highs.
5. Sanded lightly the primer with 180 grit sandpaper (bad idea?)
No...
6. Dusted off the lightbar and checked for inconsistencies in my sanding fixed them
7. "Plasti Kote" (Silver Frost) Car Color Acrylic Laquer (x3) 10 min dry time/coat
Gotta sand after these are cured fully.
8. "Plasti Kote" (Clear) Kustom Effex Clear Coat (x3) 10 min dry time/coat
Depending on how smooth these are, you will have to sand or get in there with rubbing compound or a buffer.
The best way to do this would have been to prime, sand it so there are no high/low spots, lay down a mist coat of paint, let dry, spray a medium coat, let dry, and spray a final, heavy coat. Then you go back and sand down the highs. (rough spots.)
Then spray your clears, wetsand, and after the final coat, either use rubbing compound and/or buff the finish. Wax.