12 replies to this topic

[Pavel]

Okay... the plan now is to sand down the entire car outside, fill in any small dents and dings,and then:

I want to spray paint and maybe brush bits and pieces, different colours etc. Basically there are many places on the body that have to be repainted and I can't afford a full proper respray and plus this will be fun.

What I want is some technical help... If I use standard spray paints available in DIY stores (around here its near impossible to get automotive paint put into cans..), could I take the car after that to a paintshop (I know a guy) and have him simply laquer over it so the car looks all smooth and shiny?

Haven't done any art in several months, might be the perfect project

[Al*]

you could do that but would it not be easie and cheaper to get some DIY laquer (clear coat) spray cans?

Now as for it being possible to laquer over the spray paint.... yes it's possible but what you have to realise is when working with base clear paint (2 pack/ base and clear) normally you spray the base color and wiat for it to flash off then lay on you clear coat.... in your case you would have already painted the car and it would all be dry so you would have to rough it all up with sandpaper to give the clear something to adhere to. I suppose you could do it... just hit your paint with 600 grit paper wipe it down and lay on the clear.... If you are going to do this remember one thing.... :smartass: preperation is the key to every good paint job so take your time prepping everything and do it right. Theres no reason why a spray can paint job can't look like it was done proffesionally. If you have any more questions shoot em out as I work in a bodyshop/paintshop.

Al

[Jordie]

Can i just hi-jack Al*?

Al*, i have a fibreglass flipfront in a white gel coat. What prep needs to be done before spraying, so the paint doesnt flake or peel etc.

[Al*]

block sand the gel coat to insure there isn't any imperfections in the gel coat then go over it all again with a fine 400/600 grit paper (on a jitterbug sander if you have one) to get rid of all of the scratches from blocking. then wipe it down, tak cloth it and spray your color.

Al

[Jordie]

jitterbug?

tak clotch?

[Al*]

a jitterbug sander is a random orbital sander that is great for finidhing work.... usually run off compressed air but you can find them electrically run.

a tak cloth is a specially designed cloth to remove any little speck of dust/ impuritiy from the surface to be painted to ensure quality paint jobs.

* I didn't mention above what to wipe down with... use a surface cleaner (M-600 is what I use, don't know if thats what it's called there though) this removes any grease tat could potentially fiseye your paint job. *

*Also wear dry latex rubber gloves when prepping to keep the oils from your hands off the surface*

Al

[Dan]

A tack cloth is a cloth dipped in varnish and almost allowed to dry basically so it's sticky. (dont just dip a cloth in varnish and leave it somewhere though or it will burst into flames and burn down your garage!), I don't think we really use them much over here mate.

[Pavel]

So basically the clear coat won't cause some sort of unwanted reaction with the spray paint below, right? I realise prep is the key, and I'll key down the entire car with something like 1000 grit just before taking it to the paintshop. 600 may take off some finer paint...

As for cheaper/easier using spray laquer, I highly doubt it since that is the one coat that has to be completely even and the same throughout the same car and needs to be perfect, which is best done in a painting booth using a spray gun, by someone who knows how to paint Plus I reckon he could do the whole car for 100 pounds, which isn't a lot for me at all for this and I much rather shell out 100 for the good job rather than spend 60 on spray paint and other stuff that I'd need to do it myself.

Cheers guys

[miniturbo]

jitterbug = DA sander in UK

[miniman5]

i dont think it would look any good because of teh brushstrokes and you will never get 2 cans of spray paintexacly the same

[Woody]

Yes , we ALLWAYS use tackrags/cloths,
the new wipe we use is not spirit based (but you can still get spirit-wipe) for cleaning between coats.
The main problem i can see with your plan is compatability between your base and the laquer ,if you source all the materials for the job from the person that will spray the final coat you shold be OK, you could always hire a spray gun and compressor for a weekend .

[Dan]

Fair enough mate, I just meant that I hadn't heard of them being used in any other field besides bodywork, compared to the US where they use the things in a lot of other industries (such as carpentry and furniture restoration, painting and decorating and stuff).

[jeffberg]

remember.... if you use spray paint stand far back and do light coats. Half the paint will most likely be wasted in the air. but it won't drip... thats the key. Slow even coats and no dripping.

there was a guy in Ventura that did this. He did black and it didn't look half bad.... and black is the hardest color to make look right.