6 replies to this topic

[mk1steve]

Hi all.

 

Urgent help required.

 

I;ve spent 3 months doing the prep work.. wont bore you with details but the usual sanding / filling / sanding etc etc.

 

Got it quite good now, infact real good I think!

 

I have bought Acrylic Laquer paint as doing it in the garage.  I;ve today painted the interior, boot, engine bay and arches.  Tomorrow I plan to paint the outside.

 

The colour is tartan red / black roof.  I'll do the roof in a week or so after masking car off.

 

My questions is this :

 

I've read that I can put 5-6 coats on with sufficient flash off time inbetween..  then leave it a week or more before flatting back with wet and dry before buffing.

 

Other places I have read you should put on about 3 coats then leave for about 3 days before flatting bach with about 400 grit and applying another 3 coats..  then perhaps even doing that process again after 3-4 days.

 

So which is it?  Can I do it in one carefull hit with nice flash off inbetween coats or do I have to do it the drawn out way?

 

I put 3 coats on the boot, interior and engine bay. I think this will be OK as I don't intend on flatting back much.

 

thanks in advance

 

Steve

[Daz1968]

Look up the spec sheet for paint on manufacturers website, it should explain number of coats and flash off time between, but I would aim to just put all required top coats on same day, then leave to harden then flat and polish about a week later.
I know the acrylic paint I looked at was just 2 coats, first light and second full wet. I am still undecided if I am using acrylic or cellulose.

[mk1steve]

Thanks for the reply.  I would have thought 2 coats not enough? When you cut it back and buff you would think it would be not enough paint on there.   If you are putting clear coats on the top I guess it would be OK.

 

hmm, decisions..  

[mk1steve]

Well.  Today was the big day.  I decided to see how the first few coats went on then decide.  To my delight it went on very nice so I kept going.  I lost count but pretty sure I put 7 coats on.

 

I left 15 mins between coats and about half way through left it 30 mins.   I thinned it 1 part paint to 1.5 parts thinners and the last 2 coats went closer to 1 part paint to 3 parts thinners.

 

I'm very happy with the results.  Will leave it a few days and mask the car to paint the roof black.

 

I then intend on assembling the car again and wet and dry / buff up at the end

[Jordie]

easier to wet / dry and buff without the car assembled in my experience, but sometimes time is a factor.

 

I havent done this to my green mini yet and it was painted sept 2012....due to time.

[mk1steve]

Its a tricky one. I know what you are saying but its off to a mechanics house to help me with engine re fitting, subframes etc etc.. It will be there a number of weeks and the potential to scratch the freshly buffed up paint work is high.

 

Also, I understand its good to leave it a while before cutting back and buffing to allow all the solvents to come out of the paint.

 

Tonight and tomorrow i'll finish sanding the roof and then paint that black.

[SAL 821X]

Sounds like your doing it the right way.

 

 

A picture speaks a thousand words though.

 

Giza look see.