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How to do protect the body

6

68angrypony

Member
Hi all,

In trying to figure out how to do body work and I need some direction. Does anyone know of any good how to videos, books, etc?

Working at home and not being a painter I am trying to figure out once I have the car down to metal how I protect it. Basically do I do body filler on the bare metal, rattle can primer it first, how many coats of what, etc. Just trying to get it done at home till I can save and have it painted by someone that can paint. But for now I just want it to be protected out side.
 
IMHO, the best thing to do from bare steel is a good layer of epoxy primer. After that you do the body work, then a good primer and paint. Its a time consuming job, and not for the weak at heart.
 
"lethal289" said:
IMHO, the best thing to do from bare steel is a good layer of epoxy primer. After that you do the body work, then a good primer and paint. Its a time consuming job, and not for the weak at heart.
Click to expand...
+1. Always put epoxy over bare metal then do whatever mudding you need to do.
 
Do you have an air compressor, a decent (for primer) paint gun can be had from harbor freight for under 10 dollars. If not a quality paint store can put anything into a rattle can. I would bet it would be 15 - 20 bucks minimum for say PPG dp90 epoxy primer in a rattle can. By that point, if your working on a larger surface, you could buy a 20 gallon compressor and hvlp gun and be right around the same cost.

Because of the volatile chemicals, most quality paints wont be available in a rattle can. A cheap etching rattle can primer would work, but how much do you care for this car and the restoration? Just my $.02, and it ain't even worth that!
 
i have a 33 gallon compressor. I just dont really know the process of mixing all the paint's primers etc. from tv shows it always looks like their is a lot of mixing/calculations involved to use spray guns.
 
Not so much, If you buy from a good paint dealer, they will give you an exact printout of what to do, ratios of additives, and even what pressure to spray at. Its very simple, and you will find yourself looking for things to paint. Like with Lacquer paint, Its one part paint, to one part thinner. Thats it. use equal amounts and spray at 45lbs at the gun (not at the compressor). You could lose up to 20 - 40 pounds of air just in the hose. For primers you can use a cheap gun, even a siphon gun from your parts store would work fine. Get a measuring bucket from home depot or lowes, or even use some old clean soup cans so everything stays even.

For the longest time, i use to use a old steel ladle to measure paints, hardeners and thinners. But you can get a little quart or half gallon bowl for 2 bucks, and throw it away when your done.

I've had good luck and experiences with PPG products, thats why i recommend their brands. If you find a dealer in your area, it really is pretty simple.

Im sure if you look into it, you will find its a lot easier then you think. Just more of a fear of the unknown. A finish coat, or final paint, is best left to someone with experience. Its a developed art, or a skill that takes a long time to perfect before you can get optimum results. Hope that helps.

FYI, my car was painted by me, in my driveway. I used a 33 Gallon Craftman air compressor and a hvlp spray gun from lowes. Not perfect but good enough that i would admit I did it.

-Jake
 
I haven't seen it mensioned yet but the product should be the same "brand" or compatable as well. Be careful spraying rattle can stuff first then another product over it unless you like the krinkle paint look! I don't know the laws in Cali but here in KY you can do anything at home. I primed my car in the driveway but I don't know if you can paint in Cali. I used products from NAPA cuz they sell the primer, paint, sealer, etc. Even had etching primer in rattle cans that was compatible with their products. That,s my 2 cents worth even less than lethal who actually painted his car. I just primed and did jams and stuff, not brave enough to spray the whole car.
 
+1 to avoiding anything in a rattle can. SEM sells a couple "okay" rattle can products, but you're much better off shooting through a paint gun, even a cheap one.

You may want to line up someone to paint the car before you start doing any bodywork. The majority of painters.... all that are any good anyways..... usually won't touch a car that has bodywork done at home by an ametuer. Painting cars is a profession. Painting is actually the easy part of a long process. The finished product is usually a reflection of a LOT of good bodywork. A painter can paint 100 cars and have them look great. The one car he paints that comes out looking crappy because of "okay" bodywork could ruin his reputation and impact his business.
 
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