Paint Advice

[Herokight]

Well, it's looking like my next car is gonna be on the cheap, which means I may end up doing some painting work (especially if I end up with what I'm looking at). Anyone have any paint advice? I'm not looking for a show car quality job by any means, just something that'll last and look clean. I may not even do paint, but if I do I think it'd be a cool project to take on myself. I WILL be investing in a compressor and HVLP setup if I do.

Been doing some research and got some of the basics understood pretty well (spot filling pits, scotch brighting the surface and sanding, tacking before spraying, using correct paint:catalyst ratios, masking off areas, overlap, etc), but that's about it. There's a pretty good set of vids on youtube on how to to paint in your own garage, just wanted to hear from my SMD brethren since I haven't taken on such a big job before (and may never, but it's always nice to have the knowledge).

[bighossf150]

Plastidip and be done with it

[Herokight]

Eh. I considered it, but I don't wanna go matte. I want it to at least be kinda shiny.

[KiKaZz74]

Glossifier.

[Cameronmyers74]

Cheap affordable paint is Nason or Napa's Martin senyour paint: I have used Nason quit a bit and like it, But if you just really want paint to make it look better not show quality look into doing single stage, its the paint and clear mixed together. Unlike two stage which is your base and then clear. Also look into getting a decent size compressor something over 5hp and try to get a two stage compressor so it can recover faster. Also don't wanna skimp on the spray gun, Devilbiss is a good brand, but if you want top of the line SATA is the way to go.

[Herokight]

Cheap affordable paint is Nason or Napa's Martin senyour paint: I have used Nason quit a bit and like it, But if you just really want paint to make it look better not show quality look into doing single stage, its the paint and clear mixed together. Unlike two stage which is your base and then clear. Also look into getting a decent size compressor something over 5hp and try to get a two stage compressor so it can recover faster. Also don't wanna skimp on the spray gun, Devilbiss is a good brand, but if you want top of the line SATA is the way to go.

Thanks man. Yeah I've been checking out Devilbliss guns. Pretty affordable stuff for the quality that I've heard. Probably putting the cart before the horse, but it's cool to see what's out there. Do you happen to know if Summit Racing's paints are any good? Been looking at a few colors of theirs. How big of a tank? +10gal?

[Cameronmyers74]

I would look into a 30 gallon tank if you can swing it. And I have never used summit paint, But for a budget job it will probably do okay. Have you decided on Two stage or single stage?

and also have you ever painted a car before?

[95legwagon]

single stage wont last as long.

my shop only does two stabe and tri stage. tri stage is a pain in the ass but comes out amazing. two stage is like factory finish (on most cars). single stage looks good but like i said doesnt last long. id get some 1500-3000 grit sandpaper and a da sander for after you paint if doing 2 stage. after you clear, you can hit it with some 3000 grit lightly to knock down the peel or dirt nibs in the paint. then buff it with compound followed by machine polish, then hand glaze it (if a dark color) to get rid of swirls. it will be like a mirror finish after that.

if you have any questions feel free to pm me

and ps. all the painters in my shop use sata guns and wont use anything else because of the quality.

[mbdblue]

single stage wont last as long.

my shop only does two stabe and tri stage. tri stage is a pain in the ass but comes out amazing. two stage is like factory finish (on most cars). single stage looks good but like i said doesnt last long. id get some 1500-3000 grit sandpaper and a da sander for after you paint if doing 2 stage. after you clear, you can hit it with some 3000 grit lightly to knock down the peel or dirt nibs in the paint. then buff it with compound followed by machine polish, then hand glaze it (if a dark color) to get rid of swirls. it will be like a mirror finish after that.

if you have any questions feel free to pm me

and ps. all the painters in my shop use sata guns and wont use anything else because of the quality.

I have heard this from multiple painters....I don't have enough personal experience using completely different guns, but everyone I've talked to who uses sata swears by it.....unfortunately, you will pay for it; unless you can manage to snag a deal on craigslist.

I would agree with you about plastidip.....Even with the glossifier, it doesn't come close to a nice deep clear.

[Herokight]

I would look into a 30 gallon tank if you can swing it. And I have never used summit paint, But for a budget job it will probably do okay. Have you decided on Two stage or single stage?

and also have you ever painted a car before?

single stage wont last as long.

my shop only does two stabe and tri stage. tri stage is a pain in the ass but comes out amazing. two stage is like factory finish (on most cars). single stage looks good but like i said doesnt last long. id get some 1500-3000 grit sandpaper and a da sander for after you paint if doing 2 stage. after you clear, you can hit it with some 3000 grit lightly to knock down the peel or dirt nibs in the paint. then buff it with compound followed by machine polish, then hand glaze it (if a dark color) to get rid of swirls. it will be like a mirror finish after that.

if you have any questions feel free to pm me

and ps. all the painters in my shop use sata guns and wont use anything else because of the quality.

I'm probably gonna go with a dark color if I get what I'm looking at. It's black, but whoever he had paint it did a cheap job. I didn't see any peeling or anything, but it's faded pretty bad and hazy in spots. I'm looking at Summit's black starburst pearl. It's single stage urethane, but I'll probably end up clearing it. It'd make me feel better if I did at least. I've never used anything but rattle can paint, but I've done some alright jobs with it as long as I took my time. I've just never tackled such a big job.