misc satoshi questions

Hey guys-

Gonna do my satoshi tonight/tomorrow. So I went to the super fancy auto paint store, annnnd.... they were out of satin black in a rattle can. I did get some SEM brand flexible primer surfacer, they said that would be good for doing some light filling work. But the black I got was gloss. Not sure how that will look since the bumper black is very flat. I wanted satin, all out. Any recommendations on where else to go (car parts stores) or lowes, etc, and what kind to get. I want to get something that will look good and last, so I don't mind paying for good stuff.

What kind of paint should I use for the radiator? I read a writeup that said bbq paint, but it wasn't very dark black. I want dark, as my metal is perf'd aluminum that's powdercoated black.

And what's best for sanding. I was going to run 100 grit, 240, then 400, then I have some ultra fine scotch brite pads. While I do want it satin, I want it dead smooth. I'm going to do this non bondo style, abs filler only.

Beyond the color on the grille, should I put a satin clear over it? Might it be better to get a flat black and clear coat it? I have no idea.

How long should I wait in between coats (primer, main) and how many coats. I was figuring 3 coats of main, primer, no idea. Scotch brite rub down between?

Alot of the write ups assume basic painting knowhow, and I don't have it. But I am meticulous, I want to do the best job I can.

I think that's it for now. Doing this tonight, starting it I hope, if I can run out and get the rest of my work done, speaking of.... hi ho silver! I mean mag grey.

 

take your time between coats.depending on temp.the coats should be tacky to dry before the next coat

 

I did a lot of wet sanding towards the end and then even did a little between coats of primer using 1000 grit. Might not have been necessary but it did come out super smooth. Then again I don't have any painting know how either so I was just making it up as I went lol

 

this is 1 of my favorite mods that I have done for the truck...

all I can say bro is take your time...its very tedious and time consuming but once your done the look and stance of the front end is straight up TITS...

 

Thanks. Starting this today, hoping I can add in a couple of conveniences and improve upon the abs method a little. I'll post more about that later.

Nice job on the lower bumper well there tophr!

 

Thanks chris, I got a ton of sandpaper from lowes last night.

So I moved my horns first in prep for shooting the radiator black - how exactly are you guys moving that thermal sensor back up front? Splicing into the wire and adding more wire, then insulating the run back?

 

I didn't flip mine upside down but I did separate it from the factory wiring that is shared with the horns...

my sensor is in the OEM location while my horns are here...

where did the horns go?


there they are...lol (BTW...this picture was shot prior to separating the horn and temp sensor module...if you look closely you can see the temp sensor zip tied just to the right of the horns...)