Place to get color-matched paint in a can, or alternative?

[Wayne 962]

I'm silly stupid when it comes to bodywork. Q: is there a place that can mix up some color-matched paint and then put it in an aerosol can? Or alternatively, what do I need in order to have the next best thing? A relatively cheap painting system that runs on an air compressor (got one of those, of course). Maybe something that people would use to airbrush models would do? I just need to touch up a front bumper on this Boxster project car, and paint a few bezels that I'm adding too (adding the center radiator to the car).

Suggestions are welcome and thanks in advance!

-Wayne

[Buckterrier]

Wayne, you can get the paint & reducer at an autobody supply store. Just purchase one component like the PPG DXX. Purchase whats called a preval sprayer. All it is is a jar with basically a CO2 canister with a nozzle. Mix the paint as per instructions right in the jar, (it's graduated). And wala you're ready to be Picasso! (I don't think I'd use it for metallics though, not enough air pressure). I used this method for my front valence right in my garage and it's fine for little jobs such as that. You can save the jar & purchase extra CO2 cannisters also.
I do think there are also places that will actually put the paint right into a spray bomb for you but you'd have to check locally for that.
Hope this helps.

[Jeff Alton]

My local autobody supply place will package the paint in a spray can for you. Either activated (hurry home to use it) or air dry.

Cheers

[TimT]

Paintscratch.com

[rennch]

+3. My local Sherwin Williams auto paint shop will put auto paint in a can for you. I think it's about 10 bucks a can.

[haycait911]

could buy a small HVLP touch-up spray gun and use that. you'll find all kinds of times it will be convenient to use. the prevals don't leave a very nice finish. something like this one. sata's are the best out there IMHO.

[Axiom]

SATA has been my bread winner for a very long time.

Love the mini jet.

[toolman]

Send it out to get it done right or it will look half A$$ed.

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by Buckterrier

Wayne, you can get the paint & reducer at an autobody supply store. Just purchase one component like the PPG DXX. Purchase whats called a preval sprayer. All it is is a jar with basically a CO2 canister with a nozzle. Mix the paint as per instructions right in the jar, (it's graduated). And wala you're ready to be Picasso! (I don't think I'd use it for metallics though, not enough air pressure). I used this method for my front valence right in my garage and it's fine for little jobs such as that. You can save the jar & purchase extra CO2 cannisters also.
I do think there are also places that will actually put the paint right into a spray bomb for you but you'd have to check locally for that.
Hope this helps.

Okay, let's get the questions rolling here. What is "reducer?" What is a "preval sprayer", can you give me links on Eastwood or something similar? Need painting for Dummies explanations here...

-Wayne

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by Jeff Alton

My local autobody supply place will package the paint in a spray can for you. Either activated (hurry home to use it) or air dry.

Cheers

Activated, is that like when you mix epoxy? Is that what they use in the body shops?

-Wayne

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by toolman

Send it out to get it done right or it will look half A$$ed.

The car currently has a $250 paint job on it, so no expert super-duper paint job needed on this front bumper. This is probably going to be a track car anyways...

-Wayne

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by Axiom

SATA has been my bread winner for a very long time.

Love the mini jet.

The minijet 4 is the way to go then? What's this 1.4 rating?

(PLEASE REMEMBER: A MINI GUN 1.4 ACTS LIKE A STANDARD GRAVITY FEED 1.8 HVLP - YOU MUST ADD AROUND 4 TIP SIZES TO GET THE STANDARD SIZE HVLP EQUIVALENT. THEREFORE, THE 1.0 MINI GUN ACTS LIKE A STANDARD NR2000 1.4 HVLP AND IS THE MOST POPULAR AUTOMOTIVE MINIGUN)

The SATAminijet™ 4 HVLP is especially suitable for blending, design, spot repair or complete jobs on smaller surfaces. When compared with other manufacturers, the minijet 4 HVLP is smaller in six and weighs less. Light trigger pull and air consumption only 3.6cfm at 29psi. (approx 2.8 CFM@40)

[Buckterrier]

Ok, a quick 101, (have to get ready to go to the Steeler/Patriot game)
1). Reducer... a solvent used to bring down the viscosity of the paint to a sprayable consistency. If you actually buy the paint and a sprayer ask for a product data sheet from the store, This, along with the directions on the can will tell how much of each component.
2). Activator... an additive that chemically makes the paint cross-link, (cure), yes like epoxy. You don't need to use a paint that requires an activator. These types of paints will give you a harder finish and will cure a bit faster. Go to the store and tell them what you're trying to do. They'll set you up.
3). Preval Sprayer... http://www.prevalspraygun.com/ As stated it's a jar with a screw on CO2 cartridge with a spray nozzle on it. The jar can be reused if cleaned and extra CO2 cartridges can be purchased. It's a good way to get into paintintg a bit without the expense of buying a 'real' spraygun.
If you want to go on the cheap then yes certainly use a spray bomb. Here's a picture of the valence I sprayed with the Preval, pretty good finish IMO. I certainly wouldn't use the Preval to spray metallics. You won't get a good color match as there isn't sufficient air pressure for the flake to lay down properly. But for solid colors it's fine.


GO STEELERS! (if you guys never hear from me again, I didn't make it out of Foxboro alive)

[toolman]

What color is the car? Are you able to take the parts off and refinish, or will you be doing some masking? Do the parts need any repair, such as filler for dents or sanding for chips? I will send you a step by step instruction if I have just a little more information.

[jhora]

Wayne and all....Mark is dead on gang....go to your PPG auto paint supply...take a sample of the color you want as they can mix by the name or year but most paint fades and you want what it looks like now...they have a very fancy machine that will color match perfectly...have them mix up a pint...get the matching reducer....get a Preval...use standard body and paint prep techniques and go paint....I have used this method many times and it works just fine for small jobs....I don't have to get the spay gun out, a new line dryer cartridge and best of all don't have to clean the spay gun afterwards....which means total dismantle to do it right....you can just toss the Preval...some supply shops have the Preval or you can get them at Home Depot
As you can see in the picture the Preval bottle still has some paint in it...some Grand Prix White....just did a small job a month ago....works every time....I could still use this...just shake up and go..... read the directions on the PPG and the Preval and do exactly what they say....you will be happy.....just look at Mark's red 911...nice work....good luck....John

[super9064]

I used these guys "Automotive touchup" and have been happy, I painted a pair of cibie hood lights signal orange. turned out very well.
http://www.automotivetouchup.com/spray_paint.asp

[Wayne 962]

Preval, okay, I'll have to do some more research...

-Wayne

[Buckterrier]

Thanks John, and very good points on the clean up & such. One more point... Wayne you can fill the jar with any paint and practice your technique. Use some oil base house paint, thin down with paint thinner, (a reducer), and have at it on some scrap sheet metal. Regardless of what you use overlap your spray pattern 50%. In other words, when you make a pass, say left to right, coming back right to left spray into the first pass by 50%. This will give you a uniform coating.

Beautiful car Super

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I've used the Preval units with great success on a few projects in the past including a pickup truck cap and portions of a 944 I recently sold. They're excellent "touch up" units that allow you to control the ratios of paint, hardener and reducer very precisely without the need for big gigantic booths, huge air compressors, expensive air guns and respirators, etc.

Granted I wouldn't do an entire car with them, but I did a truck cap on a full-size pickup truck and it looked virtually stock when done (a little orange peel, but nothing that a lot of elbow grease and polishing compound didn't get out eventually).

ColorCraft here in LGB is pretty good and stocks good, professional-quality equipment and paint. This is where I get my stuff.

http://www.colorcraftautopaint.com/corporateprofile/

I'm actually heading up there this weekend to get a quart of Mexico Blue paint for a little touch up on my car (portions of the engine bay "while I'm in there"). If you need some Preval units let me know and I can pick them up for you - I know they stock 'em there.

[Wayne 962]

Where is a good local paintshop in the SB / Long Beach area? Any suggestions?

-Wayne