how do you prep armor for paint?

is sanding to 400 grit by hand (before spraying) the best and quickest way?

 

I did 400 grit then scotchbrite pads then acetone wipe then tack rag then self etching primer then a few coats of high build primer then a few coats of paint. Also wetsand between coats.
I did my front bumper with rattle cans and it turned out fine but it was easier using a gun on my rear.

 

I use red scotchbrite pads to scuff, 3-5 coats of self etching primer, and 3-5 coats of paint

 

I just installed front/rear ATH bumpers. I had them powder coated and the shop that did the powder sand blasted them first.

 

Remove it from the truck, first.

 

I did pretty much exactly this on my sliders (didn't do the high build, just rattle can over self etching after scuff and clean) and it worked great and is holding up well after years. Obviously it's scratched off where I drag it on rocks. Would do the exact same thing on any bumper I got. Cost less than 50 bucks.

 

I got to the acetone stage and decided it was easier to let the shop prep it.

 

i used 120 grit sanding pads followed by por-15 for exterrnal surfaces and self etching primer on the internal surfaces. after a couple coats of each, finished with rattle can truck bed liner.

 

Sand, primer, paint, let it dry, 2nd coat of paint, dry again. Install it by yourself, because you can't wait to get it done.

 

off topic...but who makes this bumper?

 

Im always surprised at the quality you can achieve with rattle can if you take your time and do it right.

 

ATH
At The Helm Fabrication

 

Are the welds going to get finished?

 

I just hit everything with a wire cup brush on an angle grinder. Works very well for me!

 

This ^ And also, may need more than tack welds.

 

Sorry, was using a generic google pic.
The welds are finished.
Speaking of that, I need to figure out how to prep the welds. Because although sand paper can help rough up straight flat surfaces, it doesn't really reach into the wavy pattern of welds.

was scared of this because I heard any spinning abrasive tool can leave a pattern in the metal, dips, etc. that become more visible after paint
though I have a few rotary tools and am curious to know if any abrasive bits would actually work, whether it be flap wheels, or Nyalox wheels that Ace Hardware sells

it is

I guess it can serve as a home arm workout during coronavirus quarantine,
but, this is proving more time consuming than I thought
gonna call around some powder coat shops for quotes

then again, maybe 1 hour a day of sanding for 10 days = done; not sure yet

 

Should it be washed with something soapy to remove any oil first?
Anyone do this?

 

Acetone and green pad

 

Bare handed?
My disposable gloves melted.
What do you guys use with the Acetone?

 

Nitrile gloves are the standard. Unfortunately those are getting harder to come by as they are also needed for battling covid. Klingspor is a great resource in NC. They still had gloves online this week when I ordered more. I do metal work and high end wood working for commercial clients.

Also any Harbor Freight has them or had them. They did donate their entire stock for medical workers, so I don't know if their stores have stock.