Paul M. wrote:
> Does anyone out there paint their own cars? If so, I
> have a couple of questions, because I'm having some
> rust repaired on my MGB and when it's done I have
> decided I'm going to paint the darn thing myself.
>
> First off, I'm not worried about the BEST possible
> finish. Rather, I'm looking for a good finish that I
> can keep repainting myself in case the car gets banged
> up on the track (or perhaps more accurately, off it).
>
> Here's the deal:
>
> I've never painted a car before. Actually, that's not
> entirely true. I once painted my old rust bucket
> Mercedes-Benz 250SL in my dad's driveway when I was
> 16, but the results were understandably pretty weak.
> Although I did successfully clearcoat a number of
> insects into the bonnet, which gave the car the
> feeling of some kind of twisted mobile nature exhibit.
> (Oh, and I also got enough overspray on my dad's
> almost new BMW to keep him pissed off at me right up
> until about three months ago...)
>
> So in the interests of doing a bit better job this
> time, I have found a decent crossflow spray booth
> right here in sunny Huntersville that I can rent for
> $80 per day. Not a super-high-zoot downdraft model,
> but it's a heck of a lot better than my dad's
> driveway...
>
> My questions are these:
>
> 1) What kind of gun should I buy? Should I get an
> HVLP gun, or one of the regular kinds? The booth has
> an air source, but I need to buy a gun and I have NO
> idea what to look for.
>
> 2) What type of paint should I buy? Enamel?
> Lacquer? I'm looking for whatever will get me the
> best combination of good finish, good durability, and
> something that's also easy to apply. (Although
> probably not in that order).
>
> 3) How lethal are these various paints? I know I
> need a respirator, but do I have to be overly worried
> about it, or will a modicum of common sense likely be
> enough?
>
> 4) What BRAND of paint should I buy? Are most
> companies good enough for a hack like me, or should I
> avoid any brands? Are any easier to work with or
> anything?
>
> 5) What materials do I need to buy? Should I spray
> sealer before I spray primer? How many coats of base
> and how many coats of clear should I shoot, and how
> much paint do you think I'll need to buy in order to
> have enough for my MGB?
>
> Any other help, or recomendations on good books or
> good web pages to look at before I wing this bastard
> would be much appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> =====
> Paul Misencik
> 1971 MGB Vintage Race Project
> Huntersville, NC USA
> www.sopwithracing.com
Not being an expert, but painting a lot of an old Land-Rover, I'll give
you the recommendations I got from various people. One of which was my
dad, who restores old airplanes and rebuilds totaled cars for fun now
that he is retired.
Go get the best Craftsman spray gun you can afford. They are not all
that expensive. Also find the little pressure regulator for the gun. You
may need to get it at the paint store. Also, find a paint store where
they will talk to you, most will not want to wast time with someone like
us because we take up so much of their time with questions. Then ask
them what paint they would recommend. I use PPG Concept, sprayed
outside, and get pretty good results.
As far as a booth, there is a body shop near me where we get all of our
other work done who will let me use the booth for free when they don't
need it. I haven't taken them up on the offer since I'm currently
getting the MG back on the road, the and-Rover is still in 10,000 pieces
in the shop :-)
I'll probably have them spray the MG, I want a really professional look
to it, the Land-Rover is sometimes used for RTV Trials so gets the
occasional ding. My plan is just to deal with them myself.
--
Stephen West-Fisher
Coastal Data Systems
727.418.9774
http://www.coastaldatasystems.com/
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