Preparing body for paint and painting help! - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

b-juggles · 01-08-2006, 20:44

Hi all,

Just wondering how all you guys with projects go about preparing and painting your car.

Specifically, how does a light sand initially with 400 w/d sound fill chips/dents, sand back, primer fill, sand back lightly, spray paint (coat 1), sand lightly, spray paint (coat 2), spray paint (coat 3).

With acrylic paint will I need to lightly sand after coat 3 and then buff it up or can I clear coat straight over the top of the paint to make it shine?

Also, will a compressor with a 112lpm FAD be able to handle large panels such as the bonnet?

Thanks

Brendan

jas24zzk · 01-09-2006, 04:03

Brendan,
either pay a pro, or befriend a panel beater/spray painter....and buy lots of piss!

Most of my work is bare metal stuff, and i only use 2-pac now.

If your aiming to fix dents, what you propose won't.
Stone chips..if there are enough...i.e a bonnet, a bare metal is faster.

Primer filler will not fix dents.

Jas

b-juggles · 01-09-2006, 13:37

thanks..the body is almost gun barrel straight with one dent in entire body - a tennis ball sized one on the front quarter which I have half pushed out. Pritty big bonus!!

In terms of bare metalling is it better to get some paint stripper happening or a wire wheel?

xagt_coupe · 01-10-2006, 03:26

Get a circular air sander, and some sanding discs (150 grain or a 320), this is the quickest way to do it. Paint stripping is messy, smelly and depending on how many coats of paint are there, can take a few goes. Then you will still have any bog there too.

jas24zzk · 01-10-2006, 03:46

Actually better than sanding discs are The newer plastic "Clean and Strip Discs"
Can be bought up to 7" in diameter, and as mentioned above, depending on how much material is on the car, one may be enough. They retail about $25 each...compare that to a box of discs.

As they are a little harsher on the metal, it is worth then using a dual action sander and some 120-240 grit discs prior to priming.

Keep in mind that ANY dry method of going back to bare metal WILL generate heat. Keep things moving and avoid working in one spot for long. If its hot to the touch, then its too hot. Practice a little on a damaged panel.
Jas