Car Painters, I Need Your Expertise

[wizbangdoodle]

I've acquired a couple of projects and I'm thinking of handling the paint myself. I've dabbled in body work many years ago, but I never had a decent place to paint.

I now have a large shop and the ability to section off a part of it for a paint booth. I just need some help finding the right tools and supplies. So, help me out and direct me to things like proper spray guns etc. Also, what brands to avoid. I'd also appreciate tips and tricks that you have. I look forward to discussing what makes a great paint job

 

[lOOKnGO]

A great paint job is always determined by the amount of prep work. It starts from the condition of the surface to the mixture of the paint. I've painted countless cars, trucks, boats and equipment. I started as a teenager, painting outside and in garages and makeshift plastic sheathing areas. I have the high end spray guns Binks and Devilbis but find the gravity spary guns and touch up guns from Harbor Fraight to be worthy also. I treat those as disposable. Using those when new for finish work then using is for priming after that, then trashing them.
I suggest buying a how to paint book, that's what I did. It's really helpful because it explains in detail the many steps needed before actually spraying. Spraying becomes the easy part once learned. It's all the other details beforehand that mater. The most enjoyable part is removing the tape and papered off areas to reveal your work. It's a rewarding experience.

 

[03cobra#694]

What he said. I've painted numerous vehicles over the years. I just hate the taping off part.

 

[Fastback]

The amateur body guys I know, get most their stuff from Wesco Autobody Supply. Bellevue, Lynnwood, Seattle. Think the Bellevue location is by the Napa, and Cash and Carry.

 

[Blkkbgt]

I have been dabbling in paint for about a year now.

My ultimate goal is painting my car. So far I've painted my engine bay an it turned out ok. I learned a lot but it will need to be redone at some point.

I would definitely take a look at Paint Society on YouTube. Excellent content and informative.

If you're going to commit to painting a car use the best paint and clear you can reasonably afford and stick with it.

This is especially important with clear coat. It doesn't all spray the same and you want to stick to one product to learn it.

I also recommend getting a spare fender from the junk yard to practice on. Factor in an extra quart of material for your project to learn with.

I would also have extra base and clear on hand before you spray your car.

 

[bird_dog0347]

I've painted a few and by far the most important part is the prep... the actual painting of the panel is easy. As for a paint booth, you can build it out of some 2x4's and use plastic sheeting to cover it all, staple to the wood to keep it tight. Use box fans on one end as exhaust and have the other end open with air filters in place (filters outside the fans or ducted to open air). Work hard to keep the booth CLEAN before you start painting.

Also, remember to let the primer cure/shrink for at least a month or two, longer if you can, as that will affect how the paint looks years from now.

 

[wizbangdoodle]

Excellent info everyone. I'm going to order some stuff today. Was wondering if anyone has used Eastwood Company products? Is it good stuff? Any suggestions of paint and primer brands?

 

[Black Gold 380R]

When I was painting my 65 I would watch a guy on YouTube. His channel is called "Paint Society." He shows you all kinds of techniques, he reviews paint guns and shows you the supplies he uses.

I found it very helpful. I actually purchased a spray gun he reviewed and I purchased a sanding kit he used when it came to polishing my paint.

You can also go check out my build thread here on SVTP. I'm not sure how it works on the APP, but me painting the body starts with post #1,138 on page 57 on the PC.

Black Gold 380R's 65 Mustang Build Thread

Okay everyone, Got back from Southern California yesterday. I had a great time. However, you know I was itching to get back on the car lol. I received a couple car parts in the mail while I was gone. One thing was a couple air filters I found that fit on my stacks. I only bought 2 just to...

www.svtperformance.com

Good luck. It's a lot of work, but as mentioned, VERY rewarding......

 

[03cobra#694]

Excellent info everyone. I'm going to order some stuff today. Was wondering if anyone has used Eastwood Company products? Is it good stuff? Any suggestions of paint and primer brands?

Pretty sure most of the stuff I did was PPG.

 

[wizbangdoodle]

Pretty sure most of the stuff I did was PPG.

And you were happy with the product I assume? Had you used any other brands?

 

[03cobra#694]

And you were happy with the product I assume? Had you used any other brands?

They had shopline brand called Omni I believe. It was fine, and a lot less.

 

[svtfocus2cobra]

Excellent info everyone. I'm going to order some stuff today. Was wondering if anyone has used Eastwood Company products? Is it good stuff? Any suggestions of paint and primer brands?

What quality are you looking for? I would stop by a Wesco as mentioned and talk to them. The people that work there are knowledgeable and can set you up with everything you need. They supply most of the shops around them so they get to see what is popular and what works and what doesn't.

For paint, BASF and PPG are typically the two top choices for quality from my understanding. The Glazurit line from BASF is a really good high quality paint.

 

[wizbangdoodle]

I'll check out Wesco ASAP. I think they have a store in Kirkland or Totem Lake?

 

[svtfocus2cobra]

I'll check out Wesco ASAP. I think they have a store in Kirkland or Totem Lake?

Not sure where they are up North but they have been buying up competition and expanding so I would expect them to be in most of the cities because they deliver supplies to all of the shops and they have to be fast for stuff that is urgently needed.

 

[lOOKnGO]

PPG Delfleet is my goto for truck bodies and equipment. Very forgiving paint so much so that besides washing and a light sand it adheres great and is though. It tends to orange peel but that typically doesn't matter if I choose that paint to go on something. BASF as mentioned has a great finish with experience. I still have yet to see anything better and tougher then imron by dupont. The metallics are show stoppers. I've done 2 boats, a slammed VW in gold metallic and a 51 f3 with Imron.

 

[03cobra#694]

Imron.

Do they still make that? I did my 78 150 in Silver Imron. Super nice stuff.

 

[lOOKnGO]

Do they still make that? I did my 78 150 in Silver Imron. Super nice stuff.

It's some toxic stuff. Haven't used it since the 51 I did almost twenty years ago. It was twice as much, but that didn't matter, that paint was awesome!

 

[wizbangdoodle]

Toxic paint, doesn't sound like a fun party.

Speaking of toxic, shouldn't I get some protective gear?

 

[BittenInBama]

Had an older painter tell me once that prep work made a paint job. His main rule was : "the harder it is to get to, the more important it is to sand"

 

[C2tuck]

PPG Delfleet is my goto for truck bodies and equipment. Very forgiving paint so much so that besides washing and a light sand it adheres great and is though. It tends to orange peel but that typically doesn't matter if I choose that paint to go on something. BASF as mentioned has a great finish with experience. I still have yet to see anything better and tougher then imron by dupont. The metallics are show stoppers. I've done 2 boats, a slammed VW in gold metallic and a 51 f3 with Imron.

We need some pics in this thread…