[QUOTE=iroc240_3]Why color sand? I thought that the clear coats filled the orange peel and then you wet sand the clear.[/QUOTE

clear coats do help level and make the paint last longer, but sometimes even clear coats get orange peal. same methods for color/wet sanding will work, you just have to take off as little as possible that is why most anyone that has done it before will tell you to start with a 2000 grit or above.

 

I posted in this thread earlier about painting my IROC-Z at home, but recently I found some pictures I took and tried to convert them to digital (came out kinda crappy) but hey here you go:






And here's the end result:


Not the best example of whats possible because we're not very good at painting cars, just trying to show that anyone considering this idea is not alone. Go for it!!

 

One important thing I didn't see was, don't sand on sharp edges! When you're color sanding, sand up to the edge, not on it. The sharp peak in the surface will make it very easy to go right through the clear, into the color and right into the primer. Same goes for when you are buffing the car out, don't go on the edge, just up to it. Use plenty of water, keep the paper clean. If you hear a little zipping noise stop and rinse your paper off and the area. That zipping noise is a bit of dirt or clear that has built up and is scratching the clear.

I've been saying it for probably 3 years now but I'm finally going to be re-painting my car this year. Might start sanding on it Monday if I get some materials. Going to be shaving off the radio antenna, rear wiper and the little squirter on the roof. Don't know how long it's going to take because I really want this to be the best one I've done so probably a while hehe.

 

I agree. and not just when color sanding also when buffing with a buffer.

are you ready for the hand and elbow cramps. and sore back hehe.

 

Yeah I'm ready for it again. It's worth it to go through all the pains and aches because at the end you can stand there looking at the car and say, I did that. Going to the paint supply place tomorrow to pick up some epoxy primer and some other stuff.

 

Shaving my antenna was one of the best body mods ever. They look so dorky on the front of the car. I never unhooked mine, just tucked it down and to the side, welded a washer in the hole and covered it up. My car came with a factory CB hole in the left rear I was gonna move it to. But I still get great reception, so I never moved it for real. Now I wish I would of cover it up too.

 

Hey,

I took the liberty of creating a PDF file of your guide. It can be downloaded form the following link for those that are interrested:

Painting your car at home.pdf

-Cedric

 

Thanks,great info there.I am gearing up to start on mine and there are some tips there I will keep in mind.

 

Nice!!, I have a teal 92 RS that needs paint too. This is a great thread, good job!!

 

woops double post

 

That's awesome, thanks!

You know, I've got probably 100 pictures I took during the whole project. I could probably dig some of them up and post them here. Attachments are limited to 1meg though, so I don't think I'd be able to zip up very many. Might be nice to have a few of the process though.

 

If you want you can send them to me an I'll see if I can integrate them into the PDF file so that the instructions are illustrated

Cedric

 

What kind of air compressors do you guys use? I read that mos guns need around 240 liters of air per minute. I'm looking into getting one since I have new fenders I would like to paint myself.

thx.
Cedric

 

This little home depot special is what i used. Did the job forget...about using a da with it though. The da ran it right down had to wait for it to catch back up.

If you match the gun cfm to the compressor you will have no problems.

Also dont keep it in the same area your painting in. It will kickup all kinda dust. I moved mine in next room and ran the line up and over. This worked well for keeping water out with other filters at the gun.

 

YA don't need a monster motor, ya just need volume.


https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...ght=compressor