Automotive painting

[Cleandezert]

Calling @FasterNU or anyone else who has painted a vehicle.

I really want to learn this part of the trade. I dont think i will ever be great, but super interested in trying it out. I could use some peoples insight and experience.

I have some stuff on my 56 that needs paint... curious of how you prep, what you shoot with, air compressor/gun.

Ultimately i am trying to talk a friend into doing the body work and painting his 65 c10, as currently he just spray painted it.

 

[badlinesgoodtimes]

@vcyota92 has painted a few trucks now.

 

[the bodj]

Before

During

After


Definitely not a perfect bodywork job, but way better than it was before. Painting was actually really enjoyable. I have some more wet sanding to do to get rid of the orange peel in the clear coat (flashed too fast since I did it in the driveway - didn't have time to level out).

I used a HF spray gun
https://www.harborfreight.com/20-oz-hvlp-gravity-feed-air-spray-gun-68843.html?gStoreCode=32&gQT=1

And paint/clear coat from a local paint shop. I also bought a respirator from HF, and the paint gun stand, which was well worth the purchase.

I have a 50 gallon air tank that's hardwired to my 200a sub panel, so I never had an issue with air supply. HF air regulator on the gun. I test sprayed acetone on a sheet of plywood to get my pattern good before shooting on the truck. I watched a ton of videos from this channel before taking it on

https://www.youtube.com/@PaintSociety

DEFINITELY block sand. I was tired of spending money and energy, so I just used my 5" random orbital and you can see that it's got some lumps and waves.

 

[Cleandezert]

Before
View attachment 36330
During
View attachment 36331
After
View attachment 36333

Definitely not a perfect bodywork job, but way better than it was before. Painting was actually really enjoyable. I have some more wet sanding to do to get rid of the orange peel in the clear coat (flashed too fast since I did it in the driveway - didn't have time to level out).

I used a HF spray gun
https://www.harborfreight.com/20-oz-hvlp-gravity-feed-air-spray-gun-68843.html?gStoreCode=32&gQT=1

And paint/clear coat from a local paint shop. I also bought a respirator from HF, and the paint gun stand, which was well worth the purchase.

I have a 50 gallon air tank that's hardwired to my 200a sub panel, so I never had an issue with air supply. HF air regulator on the gun. I test sprayed acetone on a sheet of plywood to get my pattern good before shooting on the truck. I watched a ton of videos from this channel before taking it on

https://www.youtube.com/@PaintSociety

DEFINITELY block sand. I was tired of spending money and energy, so I just used my 5" random orbital and you can see that it's got some lumps and waves.

This is great info... i was hoping to use a HVLP gun as i only have a 25 gallon 110 v compressor.... Was looking into a 220v, but room in my garage is limited and not sure i need a big compressor. I have been watching paint society, seems pretty good for tips and stuff.

how bad was blending the new and old paint?

 

[85Yota]

I've painted a few trucks/motorcycles over the years. Always with harbor freight HVLP gun. used a 110V craftsman 25 gal compressor on first couple in my parents garage and it worked fine. I just made sure to install an in-line water separator since compressor runs often and gets hot making condensation, plus living not too far from the beach with humidity also causes condensation that can get into the paint

 

[the bodj]

This is great info... i was hoping to use a HVLP gun as i only have a 25 gallon 110 v compressor.... Was looking into a 220v, but room in my garage is limited and not sure i need a big compressor. I have been watching paint society, seems pretty good for tips and stuff.

how bad was blending the new and old paint?

I don't think blending was bad, but the color match was spot on (to my untrained eye, at least). I fanned across from the new paint section to old, going lighter as I went further into the old paint. Hopefully this weekend I can get some time in to wet sand some more. The orange peel is really bad due to how quickly the clear flashed. I ended up doing 7 coats of clear since I knew I was going to have to sand it back. I painted in the sun in the driveway lol.

 

[smokeysevin]

@the bodj what house electric service size do you have that you are running a 200a sub panel? I am planning my new shop out now that our offer was accepted on the new place.

Sean

 

[the bodj]

@the bodj what house electric service size do you have that you are running a 200a sub panel? I am planning my new shop out now that our offer was accepted on the new place.

Sean

200a main panel as well.

 

[85Yota]

Yeah I had a 200 amp sub panel with 200 amp main on my house in Phoenix. I wasn't using everything at once so never had a problem.

 

[FENDERFAB]

i painted my ranger in my garage. For a cheap paintjob it looks good enough. I used the harbor freight gun but didnt love it and the paint distribution from that gun is pretty weak. i have the bigger fortress compressor (27 gallon), it ran ALOT during painting but it worked and got the job done.

I have heard these guns are legit for the money. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DBV88QD...IBIHGEE6Q&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

Im planning on buying a couple for my next paint project.

In regards to prep, i didnt do much. I DA the whole truck in a few different grits, sprayed the base and then the clear.

I ordered my paint from this website- Being in california we have to use low VOC products which they do sell.

https://www.thecoatingstore.com/?ga...MIlLHeq7G8jAMVwjNECB0IVQywEAAYASAAEgKNTvD_BwE

 

[Doubleggregg]

Adam,

I have the space, some paint guns, a compressor, and a 4runner or two we can practice on. I have wanted to paint shit too for ever, just never figured out time to do it again. But with some motivation and friend there we could figure something out.

I painted a 3 rail motor cycle once that's why i have all the shit but that was 20 years ago at least i bet. There is also a good paint supply place here in temecula.

Gregg

 

[Cleandezert]

Adam,

I have the space, some paint guns, a compressor, and a 4runner or two we can practice on. I have wanted to paint shit too for ever, just never figured out time to do it again. But with some motivation and friend there we could figure something out.

I painted a 3 rail motor cycle once that's why i have all the shit but that was 20 years ago at least i bet. There is also a good paint supply place here in temecula.

Gregg

pretty soon its going to be too hot... but if we find a time that its not too hot, i really want to do this and totally willing to help out. I am really surprised more offroad guys arent painting stuff. I always kinda just assumed it was too difficult or labor intensive, but the more i look at it. Seems pretty easy and not so scary.

 

[FENDERFAB]

Adam if you are painting in warmer temps you can get a slower activator. This changes how fast the paint hardens and solidifies so it gives you a bit more working time during warmer months

https://www.thecoatingstore.com/product/urechem-ua-series-activator-quarts/

 

[SaltyMethods]

I've been watching and trying to learn how to paint using a gun. Last time I did my fenders, I just rattle can'd it. Turned out decent but the clear was a little flat. Found out that brand I was using is known for having a shitty gloss for their clear coat. Since then, I smashed my rear bed fender and have had to relearn how to do fiberglass and bondo. Now that I finally got that shitty stage out of the way, the plan is to paint them this weekend. I got a gun a couple of Xmases ago and have never even got it out of the box until now. From watching YT videos, I bought the Spectrum paint cup system. From what I've seen, it makes mixing and clean up a lot easier. I'll report back after this weekend and let you know how it goes.




Campbell Hausfeld gun with the Spectrum cup system. I have a 30 gallon 110v compressor.

 

[the bodj]

Forgot to include the spectrum kit in my post! DEFINITELY get that.
https://www.harborfreight.com/universal-paint-system-starter-kit-17-piece-57508.html

Also, screw Bondo for body filler. Autozone should have this in a gallon. It goes on so much smoother than Bondo and sands great. Make sure to get the gold version - it's much better. If you've ever done drywall mud, applying body filler is basically the same thing.
https://www.autozone.com/paint-and-body/body-filler/p/evercoat-gold-body-filler-1-gallon/1101135_0_0

I was using Bondo initially on that repair and then I ran out and decided to try the Evercoat. Made a world of a difference.

 

[85Yota]

Yes evercoat is good shit. Bondo is generic and has the name so people buy that shit.

 

[smokeysevin]

Is there an automotive equivalent of mixing fiberglass filler? For hull work, I have used epoxy resin mixed with microballoons, talc, cabosil, chopped strands, etc to get the strength flexobility, or consistently I wanted for different things.

Sean

 

[cbrewer22]

pretty soon its going to be too hot... but if we find a time that its not too hot, i really want to do this and totally willing to help out. I am really surprised more offroad guys arent painting stuff. I always kinda just assumed it was too difficult or labor intensive, but the more i look at it. Seems pretty easy and not so scary.

I know a Toyota you can practice on. It’s already 4 different colors.

 

[vcyota92]

Painting is the fun and easy part. Now body work on the other hand really sucks. Props to those who can do it everyday. I had to take the bronco down to bare metal because it had so much bondo everywhere. Some spots were 1/2” plus for no reason.
I also used the harbor freight hplv gun on both things I have painted. It gave me zero issues both times.
My best advice is:
Prep is key
Take your time
Good lighting
Don’t be scared

 

[Doubleggregg]

Painting is the fun and easy part. Now body work on the other hand really sucks. Props to those who can do it everyday. I had to take the bronco down to bare metal because it had so much bondo everywhere. Some spots were 1/2” plus for no reason.
I also used the harbor freight hplv gun on both things I have painted. It gave me zero issues both times.
My best advice is:
Prep is key
Take your time
Good lighting
Don’t be scared

I think my 4runner has a ton of body filler on the passenger rear. been thinking about wtf ID do to it if i started trying to make it better. But also would be nice to see what is there and probably could justify getting Fiberglass quarter panels if its to nasty. what did you do about your body sheet metal issues? did you work it out or just massage it enough and call it good with less body filler?