Well this is a really interesting thread. I painted my ‘72 TR6 this past summer and had a couple of problems but got it all sorted and I’m kind of proud of how it turned out. However, I need some advice for the next one...
When I sanded the tub and all the panels I used 80, then 120, and so on. Reading this thread I’m getting a feeling that you don’t have to use every grit consecutively but can skip a grit or two as you climb the ladder. Is this true or am I wrong?
What material are you sanding? 80# to sand 2K is a little too rough, IMO. You will go through almost immediately, and not have enough material to get those scratches out. Poly primer it would be ok, but I still usually start with 120#. If spots of the underlying epoxy are starting to show, no reason to go to the next grit without applying more material. For instance, you block with 120#, apply guide coat, block with 180# but spots of epoxy start to show through. Stop and apply 2-3 more coats. Then you can start with 180# lightly, guide coat, then block with 320# until no 180# scratches show. If no sand throughs, (or minimal), guide coat and sand with 600 before sealer.When I sanded the tub and all the panels I used 80, then 120, and so on. Reading this thread I’m getting a feeling that you don’t have to use every grit consecutively but can skip a grit or two as you climb the ladder. Is this true or am I wrong?
Great advice. I inherited the truck from my grandpa after he passed and it was in little pieces already. I feel like I’ll need to do this restoration again in 15 years to get it really perfect. I’m aiming for as close to perfection as I can get but since this a first attempt I am making mistakes then looking back and realizing I could have done thing’s better.On restoration work, you have to learn to work, form and replace metal. The amount of work depends on the shape of the vehicle.
My process is to take pictures of the entire vehicle. I mean detailed pictures or the problem areas first, then each step of the disassembly so I know where the wires run, how the linkages were installed, etc.
While doing this I am making lists. Things that need replacing, rust that needs to be removed, and the color certain things should be painted, etc.
Once it is completely stripped to the shell and all the paint is off, I normally prep and shoot two coats of epoxy. If there is a lot of rust, I may cut that out and weld in good metal prior to shooting epoxy. Either way, the goal is to get the panels rust free and as straight a possible.
Remember this is what you will be actually painting so taking a little more time getting the foundation right will help in the following steps.
Each step from there has the same goal, get the panels as straight as possible. The painting is the easy part.