Automotive painting --- re-finishing bodywork etc

I wasn't able to find a thread designated for this topic. Anyone else dabble? There are sooooo many nuances, techniques, tools, tricks, equipment etc etc. Id love to hear from some other people on the subject and share processes / projects / succeses / failures etc.


I have been a hobbiest for about 10 years...created thread as I sit and wait for clear coat to flash on a motorcycle tank. Ill post some pics when Its done. Painting an FJ62 in the coming weeks.

If there is already a thread I would appreciate a tag!

 

I’ve painted a few vehicles, mostly tractors. I stink at finishing body work, though it is enjoyable.

 

As someone who's truck sorely needs a fresh coat of paint, I'm gonna watch this with interest.

I keep coming back to the summit racing paints. I ain't going to pebble beach and I am going offroad, so I'm not looking for something fancy. Has anyone tried them out?

 

It is enjoyable when things go well

I have used summit's paint alot as there is a summit local to me. I used their clear on this motorcycle actually. I have had good success with them and the price is definitely right.

 

Here's a teaser of the tank I just shot. Need to color sand / polish etc. Tomorrow

 

cool. I may give it a whirl eventually. I just did my flatbed and frame with some Rustoleum farm implement paint and I think it was just too thick for my spray gun, but it did make it onto the frame, so I'm calling that a win. I'll have to fine tune it better if I want to paint something that is actually smooth

 

I’ve sprayed some things with rust oleum and had to thin it to get it to spray.

 

You should send that bike to me for closer, uh, inspection.

 

The can specifically said not to, and who am I to ignore instructions?

 

Yeah finishing panels in a base coat / clear coat is a whole new ball game. It is of course true what they say about the prep, but there are alot of ways to mess it up while spraying as well. Its not too expensive to learn though it is time consuming. I started with one of the Harbor freight purple guns.

I have learned so much over the last several years, mainly what NOT to do. I am pretty comfortable with the basics but it seems everytime I go to paint something I have some youtubing to do. Hopefully some professionals will chime in at some point.

 

I'm just into my 33rd year as a licensed body man, collision tech and painter. Painted everything from airplanes kenworths cadillacs and sh@t spreaders. Restoration used to be a dream job but people expect way to much for what they are willing to pay. I have alot more respect for a guy with a little bit of skill that built a car himself then a guy that wrote a check to have a car done so he can collect trophies at a car show.

 

Agreed! If everyone were just to attempt to paint ONE car in their lifetime I think they would understand why a good paint job is so expensive. Hopefully you will stick around this thread, and maybe share some projects if you care to.

 

Here’s my most recent paint job. Added a FXR fender to my Softail. Body working and plug welding holes then smoothing everything out to get the black to match up as seamlessly as possible.

Used a repop fender with all the extra factory holes and wrinkles left over from stamping


My primer setup


Metalwork, primer, filler, sealer


6 coats of black and some slight orange peel


Color sanded and polished out used my ECGS sticker for the reflection test

All mounted up



All that work for something that looks factory.

 

I have bought some aftermarket sheet metal parts for motorcycles, that stuff is not fun to try and get smooth, and black will definitely show every imperfection. Thats always something that surprises me is that the brighter colors hide more imperfections than dark. That fender came out looking perfect, that last polish must have been sooo satisfying.

 

Knowing that black will show every imperfection, I spent a day sanding at each step. From the filler primer, to primer, to sealer and finally paint. I didn’t track the hours but people would be amazed at the time it took for a single fender.
It was supposed to be a quick job and I had originally planned on mounting the fender without color sanding/polishing it. Once it was done I just couldn’t leave it alone and knew it would bug me so I went back after it for another day. I’m glad I did because people still can’t tell I did anything at all.

 

Good work that black is slick. My brother operates a collision business. He used to do custom work with air brushes but it is hard to make money at it. Much more profitable to paint a hood or pull a fender. You hit on what most don’t understand “paint does not lay flat” if you want a mirror you have got to cut and buff. It is a time consuming process. I work for him from time to time when he gets overwhelmed and it’s a tough job.

 

This is his shop fridge.

 

I need to spray the hood of my wife's Nissan. Bird poop speckled the clear coat a few years ago which resulted in the clear flaking off. I plan on just doing the hood even though the roof needs a spray as well but I can safely pull the hood and spray off-vehicle so it'll be a learning experience as well. I plan on following this post and a few yewtewb videos. Quality paint and take my time. Just need to wait until the temps rise since it's currently too cold to spray.

-J

 

here's a project I built last spring. Started with an axle. It's all steel. Built it to go where my Tacoma can go lol