1st DIY paint questions

[sw20>>s14]

i bought my car fully knowing that i had to get a paintjob, but now im going to do it myself.

talked to a guy with a 280z that had a very clean flat black look. thought it was done by a shop. this by no means looked like blotchy primer (which i was about to settle with). perfect amount of gloss and very consistent. asked him a couple of questions and found out that he used kragen bumper paint (think of old cars that didn't have paint on the bumpers. just black plastic). said it worked and is holding up very well. said sanded, no clear coat, one layer. didn't use a spray gun, just rattle can...

so i have a couple of questions. i didn't clear the details with him so i am asking you guys/gals:

-should i wet sand?

-what grit should i use? something very fine, but what works best?

-my clearcoat is peeling on the roof and on my pass door, there is a 3x5 chunk of paint missing. meaning bare metal. so if i sand it, will it be evenly smooth or will it be choppy?

-since there is bare metal, should i primer it?

-does anyone know the properties/characteristics of this bumper paint? meaning, does it have to be room temp. etc?

thanks in advance for all your help or advise. any thing will help me perform my first DIY paint job!

MODS, DIDN'T KNOW WHAT FORUM TO PUT THIS IN SO PLEASE DELETE ONE OF THEM (ONE IN TECH AND ONE IN CHAT) thanks

[Ian]

just dry sand it w/ like 400 grit and then wipe it down smooth

you CAN prime if you want to...but if you use all purpose or heavy duty paints like the bumper covering, you can just spray it...


tips:

-make sure the air is at a good temp (indicated on the can)
-make sure the car is dry and very clean
-make sure you do it in an enclosed but ventilated area
-take your time

[Tygma]

No. Don't use 400.

Remove Bumpers, headlights.. etc.

220, WETsand with blocks.if you dont use blocks you'll see waves. Remove all the little dings simply by sanding, you DONT need to take it to bare metal. Once the WHOLE car is done with 220, do all your body work.. if you need to bondo, make sure u take that section to bare metal. primer the car. A good sandable primer is whats need.. make sure you shoot it, dont rattle can it. Sand after it cures with 600 grit WETsand. hand sand it, dont block it. You'll take the primer off if u block it. Shoot the paint. Do 3-4 coats depending on colors... I went with a red so i used 4 coats. You have the option of sanding between paint => clear, i didn't.. but i somewhat regret it. Theres slight orange peel up close. Shoot the clear. i used 4 coats. i know it sounds excessive but its what i wanted.

The bumpers will need a special adhesion chemical to be mixed in with the paint. Sand them with 220, no need to primer, and shoot it.

I'll post pics of my paint (took me a long time since i only worked on it a few hours a week) if there is any interest.

Of course theres a lot of BETTER ways out there im sure, this is just coming from a fellow DIY with some knowledge, a gun/compressor and access to paint.

[Legacy]

Primer, Spray contrasting color mist, sand with blocks, fill in low spots, prime again. This will ensure a smooth waveless body.

[s13gonwild]

No. Don't use 400.

Remove Bumpers, headlights.. etc.

220, WETsand with blocks.if you dont use blocks you'll see waves. Remove all the little dings simply by sanding, you DONT need to take it to bare metal. Once the WHOLE car is done with 220, do all your body work.. if you need to bondo, make sure u take that section to bare metal. primer the car. A good sandable primer is whats need.. make sure you shoot it, dont rattle can it. Sand after it cures with 600 grit WETsand. hand sand it, dont block it. You'll take the primer off if u block it. Shoot the paint. Do 3-4 coats depending on colors... I went with a red so i used 4 coats. You have the option of sanding between paint => clear, i didn't.. but i somewhat regret it. Theres slight orange peel up close. Shoot the clear. i used 4 coats. i know it sounds excessive but its what i wanted.

The bumpers will need a special adhesion chemical to be mixed in with the paint. Sand them with 220, no need to primer, and shoot it.

I'll post pics of my paint (took me a long time since i only worked on it a few hours a week) if there is any interest.

Of course theres a lot of BETTER ways out there im sure, this is just coming from a fellow DIY with some knowledge, a gun/compressor and access to paint.

yea im intrested in results ehehe PICS!!

[Sil Beer S13]

Whoa 220 is way to rough for that paint.

[sw20>>s14]

Whoa 220 is way to rough for that paint.

that's what i was thinking. thanks for all the info though, ill look into all these methods...

dammit, thought this was going to be an easy process. at least i don't have to deal with clear coat...

[Tygma]

Whoa 220 is way to rough for that paint.

That's why you start with 220 and gradually work your way up.. if you dont use 220, you'll be sanding in one spot for days in order to remove a small ding. Trust me.. 220, then primer.

I havent gotten any recent pictures because im still waiting until i can wash it and really make it shine.. should be able to on the weekend. Oh well, this will have to hold you over... Its not really anything but gives you an idea of the color at least.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v738/Tygma/Silvia.jpg

[HyperTek]

there is a good write up on freshalloy.. leemme look for it

edit - http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB21&Number=67847811&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

[s13gonwild]

That's why you start with 220 and gradually work your way up.. if you dont use 220, you'll be sanding in one spot for days in order to remove a small ding. Trust me.. 220, then primer.

I havent gotten any recent pictures because im still waiting until i can wash it and really make it shine.. should be able to on the weekend. Oh well, this will have to hold you over... Its not really anything but gives you an idea of the color at least.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v738/Tygma/Silvia.jpg

did you oven that or did you just let it how should i say this "air dry" LOL

[Ian]

am i stupid or is he jsut trying to spray it flat black


cuz uh...all this wetsanding and shit is NOT necessary...i've done it myself and i've had 2 people come over to work on my car in 2 days and mention how good the paint looks...they said it looks way worse in pictures lol

[wootwoot]

Why is this posted in chat and in tech....

[mrmephistopheles]

dunno, but this one is closed.

Let this be a warning to you, sw20<<s14.