I got tired of looking at the old truck being so ugly I decided to paint it piece by piece. While I was at Orieleys getting new rear end seals I picked up some body working tools, bondo, paint, primer, and clear coat. Since just about every panel on the truck has some sort of small ding and because I am far from a pro I'm trying my hand at body work and painting.

I yanked all the exterior trim off and am going with solid Garnet Red. I started tonight on the hood and once I'm done with it I'll see if its worth spit or if I need to keep my day job.

So far the bondo, sanding, and primer were slow but pretty easy. I want to make sure every imprefection is out before I put any paint on. One thing is for sure, its going to take at least a month at this pace.

 

lol you can do it, mines been tore down a year.

 

Make sure you get all the imperfections out of the body before you spray it. The little stuff nobody else notices after it's painted, you will still see. That being said, you can achieve good results with decent quality spray cans, take your time and have fun.

 

Well after being overwelmed with fumes I decided to make a redneck hepa filtered painting area. I took a box fan and put one of our AC units hepa filters on the back side, and put in under where I'm painting. It actualy makes a good difference in the amount of fumes and floating particles. lol

 

Just finnished wet sanding the first coat of primer and I am regretting using that 80 grit, it left some deep scratches and is taking some work to get out. I just applied the 2nd coat of primer and giving it an hour to dry before I use the 400 grit to wet sand it again. I hope this time all the scratch marks are gone.

Well on the first piece I've definatly learned 80 grit is ok for knocking bondo down, but not anything else.

Next panel I will use 220 grit for sanding,
1st coat primer,
320 grit wetsand,
2nd coat primer,
400 grit wetsand,

Then 1st coat paint,
800 grit wetsand,
2nd coat paint,
1000 grit wetsand,
and then the same process with clear coat.

Hopefully it will last. lol

 

I wouldn't wet sand in between coats of paint... All I did with mine was wet sanded the clear and it looks beautifull.. I've heard of wet sanding the sealer before you apply the paint.. But not in between coats of paint... You'll end up just breaking through the paint into your bodywork, then you'll have to start over!!

 

dont go finer than 320 sanding the primer, it will effect adheision.

 

Its good primer and calls for 400-600 grit sanding before color. So I've been going with the 400 wetsand.

First coat color is done, I'll try to get the second coat done tomorrow. Then clear it.

 

I am to a novice. But this is what I learned.

One- make sure your compressor can keep up with your gun. My had troubles. Truck looks good from about 2 feet out up has orange peel pretty good in areas.

two- be constant with the clear.

third- be patient and follow the directions with paint. Fix any color runs before clearing.

four- fix clear runs shortly after it has set up.

five- paint as much as you can together to help will the color change. I paint my tailgate before the truck and it is off a little even though paint came from same source.

six- have a good mask and good ventaltion to help over spray

I was told that white or a lighter color will show less imperfections. They are right. I look down out my truck I see a lot of dings I missed.

I do think if I would have done a light 2000 grit sanding between color and clear it would have turned out better.

Do not get me wrong I think my truck looks good. But it has room for improvements.

 

Why are you wet sanding primer?? You will never finish this project if you wet sand every coat of primer. Buy a cheap DA and paper with sticky already on it and go to town. The only coat that needs wet sanding is the final coat.

 

wet sanding just helps the sand paper last, primer plugs the paper really fast if not wet sanded

 

I always kept a air hose handy while sanding the primer to blow of the block.. It helps to get life out of the paper...

That thing should like like a mirror for all the sanding ur doin!!

 

I'm hoping its smooth as glass. lol Also no air compressor or spray gun here, I'm doing it the hard way.

 

No pics?
S.

 

I gotta buy the wife a new digital camera first, so I can use it. lol