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Re: Paint, sand, etc.

To: bobj@meaddata.com, british-cars@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Paint, sand, etc.
From: "TeriAnn Wakeman" <twakeman@apple.com>
Date: Wed, 11 May 94 09:53:04 -0700
In message <9405111528.AA13106@elroy.meaddata.com> Robert Jones writes:
> I am planning to paint my MGB soon and since it would seem I have to
> replace the clutch, I plan to paint the engine bay while the engine is
> out.  So, what I want to know is how much paint does it take to paint
> an MGB Roadster?  I plan to do the interior, engine bay, and trunk as
> well as the exterior.  I think I am going to use Acrylic Laquer since
> everything I have seen on this list and elsewhere said it is the
> safest for at home use.  

Acrylic Laquer is easy to work with and easy to fix.  But it also is easily 
affected by the sun and doesn't last anywhere near as long as the other paints. 
It will look nice at first, but if it sits in the sun would start showing wear 
in a couple of years.  Do NOT get moisture anywhere near the primer after it is 
sprayed.  The primer is porous and the water soaks in rusting the car from the 
inside out.

My solution was to do the prep work and have a shop with the correct equipment, 
experience, and a dry temperature controlled environment do the job for me.  
Sanding , removing and replacing parts is low tech work and you can do it as 
fast as a pro and save real $$$.  I had the inside of my TR3 painted (engine 
bay, boot , interior, and the underside undercoated.  I am now reassembling the 
car.  When the engine, interior, hydrolics & all the inside stuff is back on, 
then I will take it back and have the outside painted. Then attach the grill, 
lights & bumpers.  This way, I do not have to worry about scratching the paint 
on the outside while working on the inside.

If you decide to go the profesional route, you can have them use the best paint 
for longivity and they do the touchup if something goes wrong.


BY THE WAY THE JOB IS MUCH BIGGER AND WILL TAKE A LOT LONGER THAN YOU CAN 
POSSIBLY ESTIMATE, UNLESS YOU CUT CORNERS AND DECIDE NOT TO DEAL WITH CERTAIN 
THINGS.




> 
> Finally, I picked up a cheapie sandblaster last night.  The
> instructions are very limited (basically one long legal disclaimer).
> What kind of sand can you use with these?  Ordinary sandbox sand or
> something more exotic?  If you can't use regular sand, why not?

I use dried #30 sand.  The larger sizes pit too much.  Beach sand, even 
strained, has salt.  Do not use it in wide open sheet metal surfaces.  It may 
distort the sheet metal.  Use a 3M wheel for those areas.  The sand blaster 
works best on cast parts. or around corners or reinforced areas of sheet metal 
where the 3M abrasive wheel would get torn up or not fit into.


SAFETY PITCH

Always wear the correct resperator when painting or using a sand blaster ouside 
a cabinet.  You only have one set of lungs.  When you choose a mask, read the 
label to see that its good for.  You will need a different one for painting than
for sand blasting.  Do not use those white cotton "comfort masks".  They protect
against almost nothing and should not be considered as protection for sand 
blasting or painting.  Remember you want to be alive and healty to enjoy the 
fruits of your labour!
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Bob
> 

Good luck & beware of shipwrights disease.  You know its amazing that parts that
look nice to OK against a worn paint job, look entirely too ratty when you go to
put it on a new looking body.  Because of thei The Roadster Factory & Moss all 
love the fact that i am keeping them in business.


TeriAnn Wakeman        Large format photographers look at the world
twakeman@apple.com     upside down and backwards     
LINK: TWAKEMAN              
408-974-2344                         TR3A - TS75519L, 
                       MGBGT - GHD4U149572G, Land Rover 109 - 164000561



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