Very new to paint. Few questions

K

kmachstang

Hi Guys.

I'm very new to painting. I don't even have all the proper equipment yet, but I plan to soon. I have searched and read around the forum for the answers to these questions and haven't been able to find them. If I haven't looked in the right spot I apologize in advance.

1) How do you know how much paint you will need to buy? I will be spraying a 65 mustang coupe in black. I will be using the perfect paint job method and using SPI base coat. Is there any method for estimating how much paint to buy? My initial plan was to just purchase a few quarts of the epoxy primer/activator and see how far it got me then purchase the rest of the supplies needed?

2) Is a reducer required or is it just something to have on hand in case problems arise? How do you know if you need a reducer?

3) My 65 coupe isn't planned to be a show pony, just hoping to have a nice looking driver. Not sure I really need a "perfect" paint job (not that a noob painter will get there anyway) but are there any modifications to the perfect paint job I should think about for a driver?

Thanks in advance,
Kyle
 
It all depends on how extensive the job is, total strip and rebuild or just a repaint? A picture says a thousand words sometimes. You might get away with a couple quarts of epoxy if this is just an exterior repaint but a total restoration will take gallons. If the want is there, if you have patience and time, and are willing to learn... you can get some show winning results following the info shared on this forum.
 
I really would like to just repaint, but the current paint job on the car is flaking off in several areas. I fear it won't be long before the entire car is peeling. So I think my only option is to do a total strip. I'm not in any rush, so I'll continue reading up and gathering tools. I have a nice pile of junk sheet metal to practice on so at least I can build some confidence before actually tackling the car.
 
This is a wonderful site to learn from. great people that don't feed you the wrong info. and the SPI products are outstanding! I haven't painted with SPI colors as of yet but Barry assured me the coverage is really really good! not like the 4 or 5 coats i had to use when spraying DuPont White over Nasue blue when striping my car.
 
Ill answer your question number 2. You need reducer to add to the basecoat. Basecoats can use a reducing ratio of 1 to 1, or 2 to 1. That would be 1 part paint to 1 part reducer or 2 part paint to 1 part reducer.
 
Thank you Kevin. I went back and re-read the base coat tech sheet and I understand it now.
 
I painted my 911 a few years back with spi products. Besides painting single stage on farm eqipment I really had no experience. The guys here are great. There are some other sites that should be avoided or at least taken with a grain of salt.

I followed the perfect paint and am very impressed with the results.I receive many compliments as well.

You can do it,
 
Do NOT rush it, take your time, a few more weekends spent getting it just right are more than worth it in the long run. If you take the "good enough" route you will end up with a product that you will look at and kick yourself for not taking the time to get it right the first time. Its far less expensive to do it right the first time then do it twice.

Post some pictures with your questions, or just to show how things are progressing. The big dogs on hear will help you out way better than any other resource on the Internet IMHO.
 
Whiskyb;28162 said:
I painted my 911 a few years back with spi products. Besides painting single stage on farm eqipment I really had no experience. The guys here are great. There are some other sites that should be avoided or at least taken with a grain of salt.

I followed the perfect paint and am very impressed with the results.I receive many compliments as well.

You can do it,
Click to expand...

Your link goes to a sign in page :(
 
Yup, webshots has been bought out and and I lost everything I had posted there to save! I am removing the link for now until I fix it.

Thanks for letting me know
 
Thanks for all the encouragement and tips. I'll need to upgrade my welder to patch a few spots (hood pins and chrome fender flares ugh!) and then I'll start getting together the tools I need. Very excited to get started!
 
I already took them off and tossed them. This is as close as I can find:

$(KGrHqV,!lsE4mhGSBITBOUrkpqG-w~~48_35.JPG

Just some holes and rust spots need to be fixed up from screwing these things to the fender.
 
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