I pulled the trigger....

Kristopher1129

Kristopher1129

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I've been contemplating whether or not I want to paint my car this winter. I've decided that I'm definitely going to do it. I just bought all the paint, clear coat, reducer, and hardener...so, now it HAS to happen, ha.

I have a 99 Civic LX with 159K miles. I know...it's not my dream car. But, I've always been one to just find a good deal on a well running, well taken care of, reliable vehicle. I've never really had the desire to have a new car. I just don't want the hassle of taking care of it, or the payments. I pay cash...done.

So, I don't plan on getting rid of this car anytime soon...cause it's a great car, and has not a thing wrong with it. The ONLY thing wrong...is a couple spots where rust bubbles poked through. One on the hood, and one on the back door drivers side. It also was hit by an egg by some D bag throwing them around town last year.

It's metallic black....and I'm re-painting it the same color. I'm eager to start, it may get done in the fall, ha.
 
Sounds like a blast. Just better hope that it doesn't have the normal Honda rust. Meaning that it may look little on the surface, but underneath it could be a mess. But make sure to post pics of your project! It's always fun reading threads like that.
 
Sounds like a fun project! Keep us updated with pics. :)
 
You are a wise lad, Kris. Cash is king. Debt is a servant. Good luck with the paint job.
 
If this goes well you may have a nice service addition to your shop :props:. Good luck man!

Also - were flipping those rims (I think in winter or spring) worth the time, product, and money?!?!?
 
Thanks guys...I basically just figured, why the hell not? Honestly...I'm not really doing it so that my car looks awesome (although that will be beneficial), I'm really doing it to get experience with wet sanding orange peel. I feel if any part of my detailing skills are lacking...it's probably in that area.

I've done panels to remove orange peel, like from a repair paint job for customers. But, I've never done a FULL blown orange peel removal. This is definitely something I'd like to do more of cause there's big money in it. I definitely want to just take my time and do it right. Plus, now I've got my van to drive around in while my car is being worked on. :dblthumb2:
 
B&B Tennessee said:
If this goes well you may have a nice service addition to your shop :props:. Good luck man!

Also - were flipping those rims (I think in winter or spring) worth the time, product, and money?!?!?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately...no. It WOULD have been profitable if they weren't machine polished and clear coated, ha. I did one of them, and it came out good...but it was too much work. I scrapped them for the same price I paid.

BUT, I did recently repair a set of aluminum rims on a classic Camaro that were sprayed with acid by some other detailer. Don't know if you saw that thread recently...but you should check that out. That was profitable for me cause they were uncoated aluminum and I was able to repair them. I removed all four and polished the hell out of them.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/40466-camaro-project-northeast-detailing.html

tuscarora dave said:
Nice. Be sure to lay the clear down a bit heavy.
Click to expand...

I was planning on it! How many coats do you think would be sufficient? I would absolutely want to correct the paint many times. I know 2 coats is the norm...but I'd want more.
 
You're right, after purchasing the paints and other chemicals you are committed. Keeping the original color is a real smart idea.


What a great winter project to undertake and it will provide multiple benefits; it gives you invaluable insight on how to deal with orange peel (assuming you end up with some), keeps the debtor jailers away, gives you pride of doing a tough job and accomplishing it well and it will spruce up the Honda!

Do you have the paint gun, compressor, etc.? Have you ever painted a vehicle before? This is not to discourage you in the least, just the opposite. I've seen people who were supposed to know how to paint a car turn out junk and with your attention to detail I have no doubt this project will turn out better than you think it will.

I'll look forward to progress reports from time to time.

Go get 'em!!! :dblthumb2:
 
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Do you have a booth to spray in?

Most paint jobs are ruined either by the surface not being clean enough.
Crap in the air lines going to the gun. Could be moisture, dust, or oil.
Crap in the air landing on the wet or still tacky paint.
 
Kristopher1129 said:
Unfortunately...no. It WOULD have been profitable if they weren't machine polished and clear coated, ha. I did one of them, and it came out good...but it was too much work. I scrapped them for the same price I paid.

BUT, I did recently repair a set of aluminum rims on a classic Camaro that were sprayed with acid by some other detailer. Don't know if you saw that thread recently...but you should check that out. That was profitable for me cause they were uncoated aluminum and I was able to repair them. I removed all four and polished the hell out of them.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/40466-camaro-project-northeast-detailing.html
Click to expand...

Nice man - they turned out great!
 
I have a shop and im just gonna make my own booth. I have a designated compressor that is brand new that ill use for the spraying. I already have a gun too. Ive painted a few times....but noting like what im gonna do this time.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk
 
Hey Kris,

Painting a car is a pretty big job but if you do some reading and a little practice before the bid day you'll be surprised how nice the car will look.

Painting a car works on some of the same principals as detailing; a majority of the results are in the preparation...

Don't for get the DuPont Prep-Sol 3319s! :props:
 
mdb917 said:
You're right, after purchasing the paints and other chemicals you are committed. Keeping the original color is a real smart idea.


What a great winter project to undertake and it will provide multiple benefits; it gives you invaluable insight on how to deal with orange peel (assuming you end up with some), keeps the debtor jailers away, gives you pride of doing a tough job and accomplishing it well and it will spruce up the Honda!

Do you have the paint gun, compressor, etc.? Have you ever painted a vehicle before? This is not to discourage you in the least, just the opposite. I've seen people who were supposed to know how to paint a car turn out junk and with your attention to detail I have no doubt this project will turn out better than you think it will.

I'll look forward to progress reports from time to time.

Go get 'em!!! :dblthumb2:
Click to expand...

oldmodman said:
Do you have a booth to spray in?

Most paint jobs are ruined either by the surface not being clean enough.
Crap in the air lines going to the gun. Could be moisture, dust, or oil.
Crap in the air landing on the wet or still tacky paint.
Click to expand...

BobbyG said:
Hey Kris,

Painting a car is a pretty big job but if you do some reading and a little practice before the bid day you'll be surprised how nice the car will look.

Painting a car works on some of the same principals as detailing; a majority of the results are in the preparation...

Don't for get the DuPont Prep-Sol 3319s! :props:
Click to expand...

I actually have some of the prep-sol already, ha. I think I've done enough reading, and research to get a good job done. I definitely know it's ALL in the prep work. I see crappy paint jobs all the time where the primer work was not smoothed out, but they painted anyways and you can see the etchings.

That is definitely not something I will tolerate! If I saw those etchings after paint...I would sand and re-paint.

P.S. WOW! Everything I ordered just came in...I ordered just over a day ago. Wasn't expecting that, ha. Impressive.
 
kimtyson said:
You are a wise lad, Kris. Cash is king. Debt is a servant. Good luck with the paint job.
Click to expand...


WHAT SHE SAID!!! Not too many people think that way and have been ruined by the

"Credit Cop"!!! Way to go!!!
 
Kristopher1129 said:
I was planning on it! How many coats do you think would be sufficient? I would absolutely want to correct the paint many times. I know 2 coats is the norm...but I'd want more.
Click to expand...
I'd want to double the norm. I am not a painter however I did work at a collision center prepping cars for the booth and did once paint a Ford E-350 in that booth. That was before HVLP equipment was mandatory so I did it old school. I was told that I had beginner's luck as there were no sags or runs in the finished paint. I suggest talking with a top notch car painter to learn what (if any) special requirements are involved in layering extra clear. Back in my collision center days we just waited until the previous layer flashed before spraying the next layer. Better safe than sorry right?

BobbyG said:
Hey Kris,

Painting a car is a pretty big job but if you do some reading and a little practice before the big day you'll be surprised how nice the car will look.

Painting a car works on some of the same principals as detailing; a majority of the results are in the preparation...

Don't for get the DuPont Prep-Sol 3319s! :props:
Click to expand...
You'll definitely not want to forget the tack cloths either and first clean clean clean the shop and wet the floors to keep any rogue dust particles at bay, ground the car with jumper cables and then do one last Prep-Sol and tack cloth it one last time just before spraying. Prep is definitely key. My suggestions may be out dated as I am sure a lot has changed since I worked at the paint shop.
 
tuscarora dave said:
I'd want to double the norm. I am not a painter however I did work at a collision center prepping cars for the booth and did once paint a Ford E-350 in that booth. That was before HVLP equipment was mandatory so I did it old school. I was told that I had beginner's luck as there were no sags or runs in the finished paint. I suggest talking with a top notch car painter to learn what (if any) special requirements are involved in layering extra clear. Back in my collision center days we just waited until the previous layer flashed before spraying the next layer. Better safe than sorry right?


You'll definitely not want to forget the tack cloths either and first clean clean clean the shop and wet the floors to keep any rogue dust particles at bay, ground the car with jumper cables and then do one last Prep-Sol and tack cloth it one last time just before spraying. Prep is definitely key. My suggestions may be out dated as I am sure a lot has changed since I worked at the paint shop.
Click to expand...


Good tip about wetting the floor. I wouldn't have thought about that, but it makes a lot of sense. I was actually planning on making a booth out of plastic sheets to enclose the vehicle in completely. That way I know everything is dust free. I was even gonna go as far as to walk in there with paper shoes around my sneakers, haha.

I know...I'm gettin nuts. I figure if I get all the sanding done, and wait till I'm ready to paint...pull it inside the plastic booth, and do one last wipe down for prep. Then go straight to paint.

I was actually going to do what you said already...which is wait for each coat to dry, then apply another. I definitely don't want to spray a coat every 5 minutes. Not only that...the booth isn't going to be very ventilated, so it will give me a reason to step out for a few.

How long do you think I should wait between coats of clear? (I know this probably relies on many factors)...but maybe just a safe number to go by regardless of temperature, humidity, etc?
 
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