new to painting... question

biosurfer1 · 05-23-2005, 05:08 PM

i thought over the summer i would learn how to paint. i figured i'd start with the side mirrors since they are small and already chipped up, so if i mess up, it wont be that big of deal.

couple questions:

where is the best place to get porsche paint?will local paint houses have it or will have to be special ordered?

i plan on using aircraft stripper for larger pieces later on, but with small items like the mirrors, would it be best to use a paint stripper or to just sand off the old paint?

thanks

Yellowbird RS · 05-23-2005, 06:19 PM

You can't use paint stripper on any plastic, FG or CF parts keep all this parts away of any stripper for all the large steal or aluminum parts is ok the stripper.

kenikh · 05-23-2005, 06:54 PM

You can get good paint at most any paint house. If you are looking for Glasurit paint, call around. Painting isn't as hard as you think. Once you get the knack, it's more fun than work. Just make sure you get a proper breathing apparatus or you could end up brain dead.

Zeke · 05-23-2005, 07:26 PM

Unfortuately, much of today's paint materials are multi-component. A two-stage paint will have 4 components: base coat, clear coat, thinner and activator. Single stage is straight paint using the thinner and activator.

It's a real good idea to stay within the system and use the recommended thinner and activator. Many times you have to buy a quart of each, even though you can buy a pint of paint. You will use various ratios like 4:1:1 or 4:2:1. the 4 is the paint (staright, base or clear)

The whole system for a couple of mirrors could very well cost quite a bit over $100. By the time you get a decent spray gun, mask, supplies like tape and sandpaper, a moisture trap and the paint, you will spending enough to paint a lot more of the car by a pro.

I agree that it is fun and more than satisfying to paint. It's also illegal to do this at a reisdence in many areas. I've been painting for 40 years, a little here and a little there. If I go awhile w/o painting, the new materials and equipment pass me by and I have a learning curve to master.

Go for it and have fun, but expect to spend lots of money. When us car fixer upper types get smart, we usually do everything right up to and including the finish primer and turn the project over to a painter with a proper booth. Then reassemble the car ourselves back at home. A flatbed tow is only like 50 bucks if you can wait for a slack time.

You REALLY save the money doing it that way.

BTW, a good project for learning is to do the bumpers. Lots of pieces and they can be taken off the car and painted in a small room with very good ventilation. Please search this ventilation topic right here on the 911 BBS. There are some super threads and they just might keep you healthy and from having a flash explosion.

kenikh · 05-23-2005, 07:31 PM

I'll back up Milt on this, although I have only painted off and on for 10 years. A buddy of mine had a garage paint booth operation going until his neighbors called in the cops who called in the EPA on his butt when they smelled the fumes of his urethane paint and started finding yellow specs on their stuff. If you are going to paint at home, get proper fresh air and exit filtration. Keeping dust off of wet paint and keeping neighbors happy is key. Also, use an HVLP gun: less overspray mitigates the previous problems to some extent.