What do I need to finish paint job?

[Argeo]

Hi, just about ready to prime car. I have the Veriprime and filler primer, do i need a sealer after those? What sand papers (grit) will need to finish the rest oF the job?

Thanks,

David

[dweymer]

Using a sealer is more dependent on the paint "system" you choose. If the filler primer recomends it, use one. Primer should be sanded to like 440 wet, replace the sheet after approx half a hood. The choice in papers after paint depend on what you are trying to acheive, and again what "system". It is much better to put down a great clear, then to have to wet sand out huge overspray/defects;(from experience). If this is your first paint, I would find a spare panel to paint a few times to get down the details. Good luck, and post pics!

[seventyeight911]

if the color is a solild, then 600 grit wet is pretty good for final sanding. if it is a metallic, then go to atleast 800 grit wet for final sanding. make sure you are using a primer that is compliant with the paint system you are planning to use. if you arent, then you will need a sealer from the line of paint you use to make sure everything is kosher. if you are using a primer from the line of paint you are using, then the primer is the sealer and you can put base coat or singlestage on top of it. I like PPG paints and is what i reccomend. The top of the line paints are expensive from them though but are well worth it. A gallon of clear is about $170 plus hardner $40-50 and reducers are about the same i think. metallic silver porsche color is $78 a quart and has to be reduced with same reducer you will use with the Clear coat. those prices are you just walking in and buying paint. shops get discounts based on their volume of material. I spent about $500 on material for a buddys black mustang(2 qts black, 2 galls of reducer, hardner, and a gallon of clear. also primer is about $100 a gallon plus hardner. So to do it right and to have something that lasts, PPG is garunteed for life, it will cost. I would suggest you contact a local shop supplier and they can tell you all that you need and give you some tips.

[Tim Hancock]

David, I responded to you in a previous post. I said that you need to go to a Dupont [paint dealer and pick up product data sheets that tell you what you are asking for.

I have a Variprime data sheet in front of me right now. Here is a brief of what it says (I do not have a scanner here at home).

"can be used over a variety of substrates and under any Dupont primer. We recommend Variprime be primed or sealed before topcoating."

"No sanding is required when 615S/625S is used under other Dupont primers."

"If 615S/625S is left to dry for 24 hours or more, then sanding is required."

"Sand with 400 wet" (if priming or sealing after 24 hrs)

You NEED to get a product data sheet for whatever Dupont top coat you are using to find out which sanding/sealing primers are best suited. This sheet will also tell you what sandpaper to use. It will tell you coating times, dry times, additives available, buffing procedures etc etc.

The paint can will only tell you the mix ratio (maybe).

FWIW, I have painted sandblasted minibike restorations using Variprime top coated directly with Imron.

[Argeo]

Thanks guys for the input. I will print and proceed. I'll see if I can get a data sheet from the supplier I buy from. Unfortunately, he doesn't have much experience with this so he is not much help.

David

[dweymer]

Your supplier should be VERY educated about the products he is selling to you; he is your source for info. I would try to find another.

[Argeo]

Unfortunately he is not and the closest supplier is about 45mins away. The place he gets his stuff from is the place 45mins away. I will contact them and continue to buy through this other guy.

Thanks.

[dweymer]

Maybe you can call the other supplier and request the data sheets, they contain all the important info. They should be able to fax them to you.