Paint job 101; some hints

[darshie76]

Hi all

Second phase of my project 911 is to get a paint job; then after looking at the prices i just changed my mind and decided to do it on my own, as weekend task for the next 6 months or more probably

Now I have some questions, mainly related to the tools and prepping:

1) what to use to paint? spray cans are not an option, and I've at home an HIVP sprayer fro Graco, that I use to paint walls and other furnitures/fence...is that OK to paint a car? Or do I need to invest in a compressor and spray gun?

2) Which paint should I get? I am shooting for removal of the old one, trying to keep the base and the primer that exist on the bottom, so I will get some standard primer for a couple of coats, but then I am not sure which paint should i get....I do not need the exact original shade, since i will strip the car to the primer, but I would like to get something that last for a bit....is a huge amount of work and money so I would like to do it just once

3) I will do the job in the garage; what would you suggest to use to avoid to kill myself and who lives close to me ? (Mask and gloves are of course the starting point, but should i get something like an air extractor? a big fan? Dust collector and such?

4) To remove rust is enough to strip the rust out, put the rust sealer and then prime and paint, or should I do something else?

5) an orbital sander is enough to remove the paint or should i get an air gun that shoot sand?

Hopefully someone can give me some hints; I would really like to do a good job, and so far looking at the other posts here seems that is something doable from the average joe (with a lot of patience of course, since the prep work is what it takes the most)

Thanks!

[962porsche]

you will need at the least a 5.5 hp compressor 6.5 to 7 hp would be better . home depot has some for a good price . you will need a spray gun made for auto painting 1.3 to 1.6 tip on the spray gun will work . because your in CAL. you will have to use waterborn paint . i would not recommend that for you if its your 1st time spraying auto paint . i would order dupli.color if you don't care if its the OE color . its cheap drys fast and very ez to use being a lacquer based paint . don't spray lacquer if its raining or in humid weather it will blush . you can sand out the OE finish with some 220 paper then use dupli.colors primer after the primer drys sand it with 500 or 600 wet then top coat with what ever color you want . when it comes to rust there are many ways to handle that . you can spot sand blast with a 30 dollar spot blaster and 001 sand . get some spray can etch primer and spot prime over the bare metal with it then use the lacquer primer over that . get a spray mask for auto painting there about 25 dollars . because lacquer is just a little safer than todays auto paints you don't have to go to nuts with safety things . you will want to cover your self with long sleeves and pants but you don't really need a paint suit . the total cost to do this type of a paint job will cost about 600 to 700 dollars for paint and all the materails . if you want to use top grade or mid grade products the cost will go up to 2500 to 3500 dollars plus .

[Bob Kontak]

My best jobs in the garage (and all my jobs are in the garage) are when I take the time to set my gun up properly. Clean it, run practice patterns on masking paper stuck on the wall, etc.

Also, clean the panels with a vengeance - with extreme prejudice. 962 says to clean a one foot square with prep cleaner then dry with a separate towel. Then move on. I have seen the residue marks left by the cleaner in my paint in the recent past because I was in a hurry.

I would buy a $100 fan at Costco or Sam's Club. Not an extractor - just a strong fan that can get the fumes out. Crack the garage door three feet and put the fan at the bottom of the door. Windy days are dangerous. Pass if you can.

Regarding compressors, 7hp would be killer, but for the DIY guy taking a minute for the compressor to catch up is not the end of the world. I have a 3hp 220v Craftsman/DeVilbiss from the 70's. It is poor by today's standards and my pal's newer 1.8 hp Dewalt kicks it's butt. I paint cars with this relic and spraying at 45-60 psi is not an issue. Air file? Yes, I burn time waiting for the thing to catch up.

[AVDCAV]

You would be much much better off striking a good deal with a shop.
Your not saving yourself any money" or time. By the time you add up the costs
Of every single item down to the tack rags you will see" you didn't gain a thing.

The advantage of having your car sprayed by a Pro is worth every penny" not to mention
The difference in quality when it's sprayed in a 100k engineered spray booth with
Forced heating.

A good way to save a little is to ask the shop" by simply saying I am on a budget
Picking it up and doing the assemble and post operations will save a good chunk
Of cash. Think about how pissed you will be when your store brand compressor heats up
Within 30 mins and pisses water you can't even see" Until you start polishing and see
The solvent popping. And that's just one of 100 things that you may not be considering.

Now realize the above problem after you spent hundreds in materials. Just eat the cost
Get it right and move on". You probably spend that on fast food and drinks over the course
Of a year, And if you want it right. Go glasso

You" ll be glad you did.,

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by AVDCAV

Now realize the above problem after you spent hundreds in materials. Just eat the cost
Get it right and move on". You probably spend that on fast food and drinks over the course Of a year, And if you want it right. Go glasso

You" ll be glad you did.,

Good post.