How to Paint like a Pro?, How to paint bodykits like a bodyshop..? Options

[Guest_DJMC_Celica_*]

Just like topic says. I want to know how to touch up my kit, and i might just repaint my entire kit, but! I need to know how to do it right, and how to get it that high-gloss finish! Anyone have previous experience?
Thanks,
DJMC

[shid]

celica.net

[Guest_DJMC_Celica_*]

Tools?

[gtcelica94]

hvlp gravity feed paint gun
2-5 gallon air compressor.
i wrote a diy along time ago on another site, i will post it up or pm you it, kinda big alot of details

[Digndoug]

my buddy just did his car. . he wanted to learn how .. there was a good site il have to ask him when i see him again.. but I knew the biggist thing was wet sanding.. that made a hudge dif, thats also what alot of peps dont do.. just cause its a lot of time.

[aznxrussel]

wingswest has a how to: http://www.wingswest.com/techInfo.asp

[Guest_DJMC_Celica_*]

Those directions kinda suck, A. you cant see any of the video clear, B. you have to spend 500 in equipment before you can do half the stuff

This post has been edited by Coomer: Jul 6, 2004 - 1:41 PM

[Coomer]

[Guest_DJMC_Celica_*]

True, just didnt think it would be that exspensive, i was talking with a paint guy and he said to do touch up you should do a few things.
1. Get Primer, paint, and a highgloss clearcoat.
2. Apply primer a few times to area make sure masking tape is around so primer doesnt get on any other are.
3. Then spray the paint on do at least two coats
4 then add highgloss clear coat and you should be good to go.

Anyone agree???

[gtcelica94]

wet sand between layers, even primer, when you are buying the paint make sure you get some Flex agent added to the paint because you are paint fiberglass, or if you want put regular primer on the kit then spray bulldog adhesive on the kit (flex agent in that) not really that expensive to do, well ya it is what is going to cost you the most is the gun. but you can get a traditional paint gun from like walmart for about 20bux but the only problem with that is when you dont get hvlp paint guns you end up using more paint and getting alot of overspray. Hvlp stand for High Volume Low Pressure.

[turboinduction]

Is the actual painting process that hard. Other than taping off the unpainted areas, what is so difficult. Should be the same as spray cans in terms of difficulty. Also, I checked Ebay. A Devilbiss HVLP gun with a 1.3/1.5/1.8 tips will cost about 150 bucks. Is this a good brand. What type of paint do you use?

[subsolo_21]

The process is harder than a spray can, especially with lighter colored paints and paints with metalflake or any special stuff like that. It is difficult to get the color to match the original color sometimes, even if you get the right paint. It has to be done just right or the color will be off by a shade or 2. You have to be really patient with it and just get some experience, then you'll be good.

[turboinduction]

well I wanna do factory black, and I wanna repaint the whole car. No metallic, nothing special. Just black.

[95STHATCH]

Use a seperate gun for your primer. And never paint when it is humid outside. The key to a good paintjob is all in your spraying technique and how evenly you overlap each stroke. I prefer the end to end technique where you start at one end of the car and your stroke is the entire length of the car. Also start painting at the top of the car to minimize overspray when not painting in a paint booth.

[playr158]

oh and if you do paint.... PAINT EVERYTHING THE SAME DAY, the SAME paint, THE SAME time, THE SAME gun, everything must be THE SAME to get a good look....paint never looks the same..cause conditions change so do ALL painting at the SAME time

[95STHATCH]

Oh yeah, another couple things to add. You need a good big air compresser,one that won't keep kicking off and on. You will also need an inline filtration system, you can get them at sears. The filtration system will keep all of the condensation that builds up in the tank from entering the paint stream.

[turboinduction]

OH BOY!

[Silver94CelicaOw...]

You guys really have to realize that theres a reason body shops charge what they do....theres lots of fine details that go into creating a cars paintjob, most importantly the prep work and wet sanding, along with matching the paint to its appropriate shade. None of it it is cheap to do, and certainly isnt a walk in the park.

If I were you guys, I would just have a professional do it if all you want to do is paint a kit....It will be much cheaper than buying all the tools and materials yourself and will probably turn out much better too. Now if the entire car was getting repainted, then you could save money by buying everything and taking a shot at a DIY project, but thats an awfully big task for the first-timer.

[turboinduction]

[FoREpLayAX]

I will be shooting my car in the next two weeks. Ive had all the materials and have done this before. It takes a few times to get used to the gun and adjusting the correct spray pattern. If you are interested in doing something like this yourself i would recommend getting a book and perhaps an instructional video. Oh and i dont think anyone mentioned it but you definitely need an industrial spraying mask. Those fumes are ridculous even with the mask on. Mine ran me about $275. So yeah....spraying parts yourself is extremely cost-ineffective if you onlly plan on doing it once. The materials alone will cost a good buck. But if you do decide to shoot your bodykit or body yourself, the best thing to remember is that the prep work will make or break your final product.