Hey guys, So, I'll just run down my current set of questions for you: 1) I'm starting the prep work for painting my 1962 Chevy C10 stepside. I haven't painted a car before and looking for advice. I want to paint it a simple flat black without seeing layers or lines or drips. Any tips or links on how to properly mix paint and additives, etc etc. 2) Tp effectively paint my cab, I'm going to remove the bed. Any tips on disassembly and reassembly? 3) Once the painting is completed, I'm looking for a newbie, veteran, any kind of pinstriper to lay down some lines on my hood, tailgate, and if possible fenders. I don't have much so if you live around OC in CA and want something to practice on, go ahead! And if not, then I have a little cash, but not much to spend on things like pinstriping. Thanks for the replies in advance!
If you've never painted a car before, you might want to rethink your approach. Gloss paint is actaully more forgiving than flat in that if you get a run or a sag, you can sand it, buff it, and the flaw will dissappear. With flat paint, what you spray is what you get, if you go back and sand it in one area, that spot will have a different sheen than everything else, and be painfully obvious. Also, how straight is the truck? Dark colors show flaws in the bodywork more than light colors. Remember, when painting, 90% of your work is the prep.
The car is in decent shape. I have to lay down some bondo or fiberglass from where the previous owner hit a fence on the passenger side door jam and I cant slide hammer it out anymore. It also has a little dent in grill. It is good enough to lay down a gloss but my preference is flat. Would a satin job be a bit more forgiving?
Paint on a few junk hoods and doors laying around first. See how it works, then if you like what you see, do it to your truck. Other than that, you wont know until you try. Sand really, really good, get down to about 600 first. Start with 100 go to 200 then three then 600. Wipe it down real good with tack, then tape up everything really good, and shoot the truck several light coats versus one thick momma coat. Use Rustoleum flat black,it's inexpensive and is good for weather.. Can be thinned with regular thinner.. Go to Pomona and find a pinstriper there. Walk around the swapmeet and ask. Plenty of car nuts will tune you in. You'll find someone. Ed Roth used to live there.but is gone now... Gene Winfield is there. Stan Betz.. Ask around... Should be quite a few old timerz... Mikey
I would personally paint that truck in gloss paint. For one it will be worth more money and for another its good practice and will get more attention with a nice paint job. If you are stuck in doing it in flat black Dupont has a product called Hot Rod Black. I havent used it but others have and Liked it. Here is a link to it http://pc.dupont.com/dpc/en/US/html/visitor/common/pdfs/b/product/hh/HotHues/E-R3897.pdf
At the moment I am set on flat/satin, but I will do a few test panels and see how I like them. My original intent when I got the car was to lay down some flat black rattlecan style, but decided that I wouldn't waste the time. Thanks for the tip.
If you want to see how it will look, I reccomend 5 Star Hotrod primer. Its black, mixes 1 to 1 1/4 with ascetone, and goes on relatively thick. It will do two things, give you a pratice session with the gun, and see how it will look "Flat"
For a first timer, I believe that it's easier to paint a urethane BC/CC and do a nice job than it is to do a flat black. If you really,really want the trendy flat black, you need to practice and get your technique down pat.
also do as mentioned above..do a search....all this has been covered before..it's not hard to do unless you're just too blame lazy.
Id personally do a single stage non metallic or pearl, thats the most forgiving out of all. I wouldnt use the 5star hot rod as it has no catalyst from what it sounds like, so it will wear like shit. Flat paints are pretty tough to paint and look right. Just look at some of the guys talking on here. We just sprayed a flat copper on an OT s10 and it was truely a semi difficult job, And ive been sprayin about every day strait for about 5 years...Id rethink your options. And do take the advice on the test panels!! Cheap practice. And I personally wouldnt start with 100 then 200 then 600. I dont even think they make a decent 200 if at all. 100 is for cutting body filler. Not painting. you can finish in 320 if you use a single stage. Check out the OMNI by ppg its a great cheap way to get in the painting world. Their single stage holds out very well for the price in my opinion. And its about 1/3 the price..which we all enjoy. Happy spraying and good luck!!
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