Xtiva - My project car

[Festiva_tunner]

dont get too frustrated multiple coats are key - if it looks too rough do a wet sand and apply another coat

[TONYCASH]

I figured the reason they are all dented is from people leaning against them while they pump gas. These fenders are kinda thin and dent easily. With the gas door being right there, I would bet a lot if not most come from that.

I have some in that area , too.I wonder if there is a way to spot weld some metal inside to strengthen up some panels ??

[drddan]

Tonycash! Check your PM's! (fsu)

[jcbgrady]

dont get too frustrated multiple coats are key - if it looks too rough do a wet sand and apply another coat

Yeah, that's exactly what it was. I thought the more paint you have to wet sand the better. Not true. I should have done a test patch and saved me a day of sanding. Once I get what I have on sanded down I'll try again with it really thinned out and see what a single coat does. I'll try to have pics up in a couple of days.

Everything car related is new to me (no mechanical/restoration exp). Part of the allure of this project was the learning process. There is no better way to learn then to make mistakes, and I plan to learn a lot - if you get my meaning.

[lanemeyer14]

Everything car related is new to me (no mechanical/restoration exp). Part of the allure of this project was the learning process. There is no better way to learn then to make mistakes, and I plan to learn a lot - if you get my meaning.

Same with me.....glad you're sticking with it!

[jcbgrady]

Here is the current state of the project. I got the heavy coats of roll-on paint sanded and two new coats went on the entire car, with the exception of the hood, hatch and interior. I'm waiting to paint the engine compartment and interior when I pull the engine next year and decide on a final color for the car. Meanwhile, it's going to remain flat black.

Here is a pic.

[eurotiva]

Nice gotta love flat black!!!

[lanemeyer14]

Did you spray that on?

[CHills]

GOOD! Keep it Coming!

[jcbgrady]

Did you spray that on?

No, that's the roll-on Rustoleum flat black. There's quite a bit of 'orange peel' the closer you get. I'll put on another 2-4 coats with wet sanding in between. After that I'm going over it with a light coat of spray can flat black to even out the texture as much as possible.

I'll get another coat on this evening and start prepping the hood and hatch. Has anyone sprayed their bumpers? Do I need a plastic spray can for those? Or can I use the same Rustoleum I've used on the car?

[batstiva]

I have some in that area , too.I wonder if there is a way to spot weld some metal inside to strengthen up some panels ??

I wondered about that, or at least shooting some expanding foam inside of there, just to put something behind the sheet metal.

jcb, you're kind of worrying me with the rustoleum thing. Planning on doing my new one that way. How much did you thin the paint?

[Festiva_Fred]

Nice, I love flat black.

[jcbgrady]

jcb, you're kind of worrying me with the rustoleum thing. Planning on doing my new one that way. How much did you thin the paint?

I don't have a viscosity cup or anything but I will admit I started with the paint way to thick. The orange peel was pretty obvious and wet sanding with 1000 grit did little. I ended up sanding the paint off and applying another two coats this time thinner. The outcome I think is better. There is still some orange peel but I don't think you'll ever achieve a smooth finish with this approach.

The pros: less masking, less smell and less money
The cons: sub par finish, lots and lots of wet sanding

I'd like to hear others opinions that have done this. Are you guys still happy with the results after having done it?

[jcbgrady]

I found something I liked at the hardware store. I'll start prepping for a few top coats of this spray can blue. Should have the car fully painted by the end of the week. I'm excited. I finally get to move on to the interior and get some audio in this baby!

[jcbgrady]

Here is a shot of the section I cut some rust out of. That was before the flat black went on the pass. side. I'll have a better shot of the repair after it's been painted with the new blue.