new to forum and autobody/paint

R

rayfrausto

Hi you guys I don't no if this is the right section to post so if it isn't my apologies. Well I just wanted to introduce myself and ask a couple questions. I've learked on the forum for a little bit, very nice forum and memebers seem really helpfull and intelligent. I just turned 20 last month and I'm new to any autobody and paint. I'm currently in school doing automotive tech. It helps I got two buddies who own a shop and are very helpfull. I'm currently restoring a 68 chevelle that requires some metal work. I have a ls1 motor and tranny ready to drop in once I can get the body stripped and primered. I have a portable blaster that we will use at my buddy shop to blast the body of the car. I've bought two gals of SPI black epoxy and some other things. I stripped down the Fenders and hood and want to coat with two coats and move on to other body parts. Sorry for the rant just wanted to introduce my self.

So ima ask a couple questions maybe you guys put ur opinions.

1) what do you guys use to strip back of panels like Fenders ect. I was planning on spraying 2 coats of epoxy on back sides and calling it done?

2) I was Thinking of buying a compressor for my house. Instead of always going to my buddys house or shop even though most the work be done there. There a used 60 gal 5 HP devilbiss pro 4000 I can get for 225? Is that an okay compressor if I wanted to would I be able to run my sander, maybe do some primering/painting with ?

Thank you Raymond
 
i have been using the same 5 hp since 84 . rebuilt once. a true 5 hp compressor will carry one man easily . but it must say 5hp on the motor. if it says spl junk it. it's a pos 3 hp motor running to starters .
 
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Here a couple pics of it. So when I go look at it make sure it says 5hp on the motor.
 
That compressor is a consumer version ,easy to tell by the aluminum construction.
IF you are just a hobbyist and it is in good condition you will do fine with it.
Like Shine says a true 5hp if you want to keep a man busy all day and not over work the compressor.
I got by with a smaller version for years without any problems.
Bigger is better, but for $225 you wont go wrong if it is in good condition.
 
Senile Old Fart;19819 said:
That compressor is a consumer version ,easy to tell by the aluminum construction.
IF you are just a hobbyist and it is in good condition you will do fine with it.
Like Shine says a true 5hp if you want to keep a man busy all day and not over work the compressor.
I got by with a smaller version for years without any problems.
Bigger is better, but for $400 you wont go wrong if it is in good condition.
Click to expand...


So the compressor for $225 is a good deal. If I would get it I would want to just used power tools, sq sander, shooting epoxy. It should do okay?
 
From my experience it is difficult to buy much compressor for $225. If it doesnt knock or blow oil Id go for it.
 
It's worth it. The only caveat is that with a compressor that size and type, it's not always a sure bet it will keep up with the demands of spraying a complete paint job.
 
Looks like I'm going to check it out and if its good get it for now. So what best to spray on back of body panels. Can I just epoxy it and leave it?
 
I had one like that, it isn't a real 5hp compressor and you will work it to death. That being said mine did get me by for a while. It was one of the first things I purchased when i decided to tinker in the garage. I distinctively remember paying $400 for it new!
 
crashtech;19827 said:
It's worth it. The only caveat is that with a compressor that size and type, it's not always a sure bet it will keep up with the demands of spraying a complete paint job.
Click to expand...

Very true , especially with an air hog gun. A Finex 300 worked great with my old compressor, but I sure wouldnt expect it to keep up with a Sata .
 
rayfrausto;19828 said:
Looks like I'm going to check it out and if its good get it for now. So what best to spray on back of body panels. Can I just epoxy it and leave it?
Click to expand...

Yes , 2 wet coats of epoxy are all you need on them.
 
that is a 3 hp compressor. notice the dual starters. it will say spl on the tag. ok for a starter but it is limited.
 
Okay so I decided to hold off on the compressor, I'm just going to be using my friends house where we have the car at and save for a setup for my house a little later. So I got a question for all u pros. I planed out to do my car in this order and just want to make sure ill be fine.

1) stripping the car to bare metal panel at a time, my friend is a good welder and has all the equipment so me and him going to do rust repairs, patch panels ect. I know I need a quarter panel replaced thinking of trying that ourselves.
2) going to just strip and coat with epoxy nd leave all the imperfections like dents and all. Body is not dinged up bad but will find out more as I strip more, but I just want to strip get it epoxy and start up on the motor swap. Then once its drive able and good I want to go back to problem areas and hammer dolly and do any work I can perform.

Can I do it in this order? This is my first time restoring my own car.
 
Your plan of attack is fine, the epoxy will protect it until you're ready for the bump work.
 
If there is something serious, I try to take care of it before epoxy if I have time. Otherwise, the epoxy in those areas would have to come back off before any heat shrinking or welding. Hammer and dolly work is just fine with epoxy on the steel. You will be surprised at how much of a beating it will take!
 
Great! Now once I get everything set and finish scuffing and cleaning the Fenders ill post some pics after I sprayed it. I didn't order any reducer but from what I'm reading will that only effect flash time and it will be high gloss?
 
You are taking the right path by listening to the big dogs here.
SPI products and tech support are the BEST.
You will be totally impressed with the epoxy :)
After a couple weeks it is darn near like powder coat for toughness, but still sands oh so nice.
 
Senile Old Fart;19946 said:
You are taking the right path by listening to the big dogs here.
SPI products and tech support are the BEST.
You will be totally impressed with the epoxy :)
After a couple weeks it is darn near like powder coat for toughness, but still sands oh so nice.
Click to expand...


Yes, in all the forums I hear a lot about SPI products so I never restored a car or worked on a car to the extent that I'm going to go with this chevelle. So I figured I give SPI a try. Then I came across this forum and there is a lot of good information, friendly people and Barry is active a lot with his customers and that shows a lot now a days. So I just want to thank everyone here. Im on a lot of forums and not all them are so friendly especially with the newbies who just want to soak up information and learn. I no close to nothing about autobody but I'm a good learner and everyone has to start somewhere.
 
Hey guys so I did some more clean up of the car, got a little rot in the trunk, section of floor pan, my friend going to do those patching for me. I had a question so the car was semi taken apart when I bought it. I want to get all the panels on and hopefully try to alone them where can I find specs for gaps?. I want to align it so when I do quarter replacement
 
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