car painting question

[Slyder]

Hi, well tomorrow i am going to go pick up everything i need to paint my car and have some questions.

-What kind of mixing ratios should i use? (ex, paint, hardener, reducer, catalyst)
-what is a good gun and how many do you need (i heard 1 for paint/clear and another for primer because its thicker)

-this is what i was thinking for painting (correct me if i am wrong)

2 part epoxy primer (one coat)
high build sandable primer (two coats)
black base coat (one coat) (around windows, going for lx look)
blue top coat (two coats)
slow drying clear (3+ coats)
hardener and reducer (i have no idea how much)


Also other things i think i need

-a small flexible foam block (for wet paint sanding)
-air compressor filter
-tape and paper
-

Is there anything that i missed?
I know these are alot of questions but any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[GenevaDirt]

Tremclad/Rustoleum....and roller....lol. $50.00 paint job FTW!

Good luck though...I have only painted models myself other then my hood flat black.

[econoaddict]

Mix ratios vary from one manufacturer/type to another, It is usually printed on the label or the person selling it has the recommended ratio. Temp and humidity can also effect the the ratio mix.

[Britstiva]

Tremclad/Rustoleum....and roller....lol. $50.00 paint job FTW!

Good luck though...I have only painted models myself other then my hood flat black.

You should really check this technique out! There's some info somewhere on this site about this too. It' doesn't look bad either!

[GenevaDirt]

You should really check this technique out! There's some info somewhere on this site about this too. It' doesn't look bad either!

lol...it is in a sticky right at the top of this forum. From the pics I have seen....done right it looks damn good.

[Festiva_Fred]

I'm painting my project car with the $50 paint job...

[Levitan]

Slyder,

Your questions are virtually impossible to answer. Go to an auto paint store, ask the rep what a very good, inexpensive paint line is. They'll be able to give you from primer to clear and all the ratios needed. When you stick with one line, you know you won't have any product clashing with itself.

Also, Google "basic body repair" or "backyard car painting" or "diy auto painting" or something similar and read up on proper procedures and techniques. You'll find a basic procedure that explains everything you'll need to know and use, that you'll easily understand. Follow the steps and practice your "touch". You'll learn to "feel" imperfections. That is your "touch". Combine that with some basic body work techniques and you'll have a sharp ride. Preparation is everything in the final results.

I just re-read your post. You ARE going to do the bodywork first, yes? If not, your kinda wasting your money, because all those attention to details, like wetsanding, are going to be a waste of time.....and money.

[Slyder]

I have definetly practiced the $50 paint job on my extra fender. But i would like to try with a spray gun. I will be doing all the body work before i paint. I was asking about the foam sanding block incase i were to have a run in the paint. I think ill go ask the rep at Rondex (autobody store) Some of my questions, and ill be sure to practice lots before actually painting my car.
Thanks for the help

[festivaWES]

Paint ratios do matter from company to compnay. Imron and most dupont products mix at a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio not including the accelerator or the fish-eye additives, or the reducer.

I'd probably get a good wax and grease remover to take of oil contaminents of your hands. Some rubber gloves, tack cloth or "cheese cloth" will be a good idea too. If your needing paper and tape then you'll probably need a masking machine. Lacquer thinner to clean your gun, and possibly a mess.

I good cheap good you can probably get used from ebay would be a sata nr92/nr95. I have a cheap gun from Lowes, their colbalt brand. All i have to say is that gun hoses out the paint!

primer i would shoot a 1.8 tip
color a 1.3-1.4 -- depends if your gonna do metallics
clear a 1.5

Just remember a good paint job comes from prep. the knowledge of application of the paint is nice, but anyone can paint if they use a good gun speed, overlaping techniques, blendiing, and so on an so forth.

GOOD LUCK!

*edit* i use the same blocks you talk of called "Durablock"...you can get a 7 piece set for 40-45 bucks from ebay.

[festivaWES]

If your doing your body work use guidecoat or mist spray some blackspray paint over your repair areas.

Duponts 3901 can help you see imperfections in the primer when it is sanded dull, and a unexperienced bodyman CAN'T feel it.

[mattswabb]

I wrote this a few years ago

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173

[Slyder]

Thanks everyone for the help. Today i went to the autobody store and got everything i need.
M3 Paint
Black base
Reducer
Acrylic lacquer thinner
Clear coat
bodyfiller
Primer
activator
air compressor filter
2 spray gun kit
paint strainers
Urethane grade reducer
tape
paper
resporator
icing
tack cloth
grease wax remover
i think thats everything. turns out painting a car isnt as simple as i thought it would be :p

[sasquatch]

thats quite the shoping list... hope it turns out good