Alright...time for more n00b hot rodding questions... I want to shoot my F250 with john deere blitz black. I have never shot a car before and plan on getting some practice with my cheapo gravity feed gun before I move up to a finex HVLP for the final project... I am going to have most of the body work, except the cab of course, sitting in my basement for the next month or two while I get the frame powder coated and install the suspension, engine, transmission, etc Can JDBB be applied panel by panel or would it be best to apply it to the entire truck in one shot? I don't have a huge air compressor (33 gallon craftsman) so going panel by panel seems like the best option, but I'm afraid it will come out looking like arse. I know JDBB can't be sanded to smooth out imperfections...would I have an easier time going with a glossy single stage black for my first paint job? I'm not afraid to take the time and do this right as I have every intention of building a helluva lot more cars in my lifetime...
Spray it all at once. The chance of the "sheen" being even is better that way. They will never match if you paint them individually at different times.
Does the same apply to "nicer" acrylic enamel paint? Could I do basecoats panel by panel, then the final topcoat as an assembled truck?
Hey, The above method would work. Just remember if you're painting the vehicle one piece at a time that some paint damage may occure upon reassembly. This could work to your advantage given your plan to shoot clear upon assembly. This would give you the opption of damage repair prior to clearing. Given this is your first job, I'd go with a single stage finish (black) with a catylist, shoot panels as time allows, assemble and repair any paint damage, colorsand and polish complete, once the vehicle is fully assembled. The low sheen finishes like JDBB, Hot Rod Hues et al do not lend themselvels to blending or retouching of panels that need repair once the job has been shot. Swankey Devils C.C. " It's time for another Tea Party ! "
These guys have you on the right track. The gloss black is going to show all your rookie mistakes, but IMO its one of the easier colors to shoot and see what you're doing. I'd also go for a SS black or something of the like. When your're priming/sealing, put yourself in gametime mode and get used to making passes over the panels and get comfortable with it. Pretend like its the real thing and it will make the real thing easier.
Would a glossy orange be any better? The truck was originally black and I like the color, but now that I am thinking about using real paint I have been considering doing something a little more...original? I am still learning all of the auto paint vocabulary...Which HOK products, exactly, would I be looking at purchasing? Should I go with something cheaper for my first job or should I get used to working with the good stuff from the get go? I will probably end up practicing on one of the rear fenders a couple times (paint, strip, paint, strip) so I can get really good technique down...
Hey, An orange would be good, too. What ya want to avoid is a light colour, as the reflection off a light colour will be tough to see to the untrained eye. What you will be looking for is a good, wet spray pattern in your passes with the spray gun. Pratice first with a gun full of thinner on a dark panel or 36'' paper taped to the shop wall. The gun must always be at a right angle to the surface you are spraying. Hok is a top drawer paint product for a top price! You gotta learn to crawl before you can run! Start with a cheap alkyd and learn about mixing paint, pressure adjustment, triggering the gun and READ & HEED ALL SAFETY & HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT PAINT PRODUCTS. Swankey Devils C.C. " It's time for another Tea Party ! "
I might get crucified for this one...and I completely understand if I do... What about Auto Air Colors? I know there are a few guys on here who use them exclusively...
Hey, I beleve Auto Air Colors are waterborne, and I can't advise on their use as I have no experance with them. My first experance with waterborne paint for automotive use stems from 1974 when Dupont tried to introduce a waterborne paint to the trade. My view then as now is that I wouldn't have any waterborne finish, for automotive use, as a gift! Swankey Devils C.C. " It's time for a Tea Party ! "
My advice as far as materials would be this: Start with a sister brand like OMNI (PPG) or Nason (DuPont) they are much cheaper and still have some of the qualities as one of the better lines. Chances are you're gonna screw up at least something, so start small. Maybe get some Rustoleum from Home Depot and paint your grill, outdoor furniture, garage walls, w/e. That will help you get used to the gun and spraying, plus it doesnt cost much and you'll be color coordianted.
Is there anywhere online that I can order pre-mixed colors or is that generally something I am better off doing locally?
I always go local for stuff that needs to be mixed. I have an account with a local PPG jobber that does all the legwork for me. I call in my order with any questions and they handle it. It usually works out better that way because you are talkin to someone face to face or at least over the phone.
The Jalopy Journal
