Exactly.

The base coat has to be perfect, and most recommend that you do not sand the base coat prior to clear. I found that if using multiple coats of base, a little 2000 grit sand in between color coats is ok. Base coat is easy to work with, just a thin layer of color. The clear is where you will get all the imperfections which can be sanded out.

If you screw up anything - start over and do it again.

Take a look at the following link:

http://www.autorestorer.com/q_boards/body/index.cgi

Should be very, very helpful...

Bill

I painted my car with imron. I notice that no one talks about this paint. Is imron no longer considered a good type of paint. One coat that has stood up to the elements for over a yr. My car is also kept outside. Will I see my paint going down hill with out a 2 phase paint job?
I agree with early s_man. A good way to strat out is with a touch up gun. This is what I used years ago when lacquer was allowed in ca. Painted all the small parts with this gun. Came out great

tob...not a pro..I love Imron..shot a few cars w/black Imron..it's good for ocean racers, garbage trucks, airplanes, track cars, and beautiful paint jobs..I also like DX-40 primer..don't think you can even buy Imron in Calif./not sure.......Ron

Okay, so is there a big difference between gravity feed and siphon guns? I say the touch up gun at Sears and Walmart, the Sears one looks better quality I think...

My car is painted with a new PPG paint, so matching won't be a problem, I have the code...

I would definitely use a good quality HVLP. I have used both and think that once you get used to the amount of paint the HVLP gun lays out, you can get a better finish. I painted my 85 Carerra in my garage using a Sharpe T1 Titanium and I think it came out pretty well. Good Luck.

I painted my '77 in my garage with the DeVilbiss HVLP I got @ Harbor Fright. It's "Ok" I guess.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/MVC-719F.JPG

gt3r, what type of front end is that? Looks good.

Wayne C.
83 SC

HVLP stands for High Volume Low Pressure. HVLP guns have a much narrower range of air pressure for proper function - breaking up the paint stream into very fine spray that flows out smoothly on the car. An inexpensive HVLP gun in good adjustment is better than big dollar guns that are out of whack. They can only be very properly calibrated with a special tool that measures air pressure at the tip. But most any new guns will be close enough. Hang some paper on the wall or locate a piece of flat metal sheeting and practice a little bit.

Paint will NOT cover imperfections. However smooth you get stuff to be painted is as smooth as the finished product will be. Professional paint work costs so much because it takes so
much time to get stuff really smooth. And it has to be really. really, really smooth. Good technicians who can quickly get stuff smooth are rare. Double or triple the amount of time you expect to spend. Inspect more closely than you would ever imagine you need to inspect. Find the most anal retentive Concours guy you know. Preferably an engineer. Give him a bright light and magnifying glass. Let him inspect before you paint. Not slamming engineers, they are just used to getting things really right.

Clean more than you would ever imagine you need to clean. You can't see those two molecules of Armor All before you paint but you will see them when the paint flows.

Corollary to Murphy's Law. Unseen imperfections and flaws left on a part to be painted will always be in the most highly visible portion of the most highly visible part.

Spraying the paint is the easiest part of the deal. Read some "how to" material. Do exactly what the book says.

David - I look at this stuff every day.

I think it's great that there is an interest in doing a "do it yourself"..IMO, the owner now becomes more relaxed in parking lots/everyevery where and the creatively angle is huge..painting your own car is, IMHO, a labor of love........Ronhttp://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/clap.gif

Hi there. Harbor Freight stuff is sometimes of dubious quality. We sell a bunch of somewhat higher quality paint guns on our site too:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/DWKS/POR_DWKS_toolsQ_main.htm

-Wayne

Automotive paints have come under increasingly strict environmental regulations. In some countries, you can't even buy paint and supplies to D-I-Y. You need to have a license, proving you can/will comply with all the regs.