Which of the DOZENS of 'How to Prep for Paint' is the best for a novice? (Page 1/1)
imacflier JUL 18, 06:38 AM
Good Morning, All,

Well, the time has come for me to have my '88 GT painted! It seems pretty clear that the key to a decent and economical paint job is doing my own prep. Unfortunately, I know NOTHING about such things. Hmm, a new title: Not only Incompetent Mechanic,

I can claim the label of Incompetent Paint Prepper, too! So anyway, I did a search and got dozens and dozens of hits on paint prep. Needless to say, to do not all agree <sigh>.

So, PLEASE, give me the link to the thread YOU think is the best one for a novice paint prepper to use as a guide!

Thanks In Advance,

Stay Well,

Larry
fieroguru JUL 18, 09:49 AM
I am definitely not a paint expert... but like everything else in life, there are many paths to the same destination.

My suggestion would be to determine what the final paint brand/line will be and follow the instructions it recommends for best results. Mixing/matching materials from different brands and paint lines can be problematic.
imacflier JUL 18, 12:01 PM
fieroguru,

Great point. Unfortunately, what I know at this point is that I want a base coat clear coat system and hope to avoid a tint coat. This will be a fair weather driver so I don't want to spend the $12k the local Corvette painter quoted me last year!

Oh, looking for a bright yellow, btw.

So, lets add to the question: 'What would y'all suggest for a paint brand/line.....or is this decision best left to the paint shop'?

AND, is there a rattle can hi-build primer that is fairly universal? I surely do not want to add work to the paint shop's task!


Larry
IMSA GT JUL 18, 02:18 PM
Is the car yellow now or are you changing it to yellow?
Notorio JUL 18, 03:04 PM

quote
Originally posted by IMSA GT:

Is the car yellow now or are you changing it to yellow?



And what yellows are you considering (with paint codes) ...
imacflier JUL 18, 09:25 PM
The GT is currently (sorta) red.

Have not decided on a paint code....or even which car manufacturer. I would be delighted to have Vette yellow, but that really is not in the cards.


Larry
Skybax JUL 18, 09:54 PM
EDIT: Just realized you wanted to do prep yourself and sub out the paint work, so my post below still helpful for paint info when you find your painter and start discussing paint choices. I would recommend watching YouTube videos on prep process, and I would ask around and try to find a local reputable independent "back alley painter" because normal collision shops won't touch it and resto shops too expensive.

---------

If you're going with a solid color like yellow I would recommend single stage urethane, its basically base/clear already together, application similar to single stage enamel, less materials and cost less. I wouldn't cheap out on the brand, not worth it after all the prep work, the old saying goes... for a nickel more you can go first class. If you're trying to cut costs use the PPG Shopline.

Personally I like Metalux, its not available retail, its in-house supply in body shops, you have to know somebody. Its not urethane, its polyester, so its not as hot, easier to work with. My last car I painted in 2017 was first time using Metalux and it cost HALF of what PPG would have cost me (total cost for all supplies was $700 vs $1400) and loved the results. Here is finished product...









[This message has been edited by Skybax (edited 07-18-2021).]

imacflier JUL 18, 11:13 PM
Skybax,

Thank you so much for the nice post. I had not even thought of going to Youtube.....a great idea and I will do so.

I have found a local shop whose work impressed me. Covid had them shut down, of course, since I am in the other coast from the People's Republic of Kalifornia, and am in the equally evil People's Republic of New York, so I will wait until the Fall to have

the spraying done for lower humidity (hmmmm, does humidity even make a difference anymore with the water based paints?) and to give them a chance to get back in practice.

Their quote, pre Covid, was $2500 plus materials if I brought it in ready for finish sanding. That seems like a bargain for New York. Their downside is that they have no references for paint jobs on 'plastic' cars and that disturbs me quite a lot.

Anyway, I am rambling.

Thanks again and

Regards,

Larry