PROPHET69

Hey peeps, I've been cruising around the web on how to do a proper paint job on metal. I've been spraying a couple old panels and found that this method gives better results than any other I've read so far.

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The following is written with the assumption that you have done the proper bodywork, and have sanded the area with at least 320 grit sandpaper, and or scuffed with a Red scotch pad (p/n 07447 from 3m). And that you have masked off the panels to be sprayed.

Step One: Pre Clean. We use Dupont final Klean. It flashes off quickly in the cold months. Using two different, clean paper (prefer LINT FREE) towels, put the PreCLeaner on one, and the other dry, Wipe on and wipe off. Work in Small areas so that it does not dry before you can wipe the excess off.

Step Two: Mix and Spray the primer. Telling you howto mix the primer is not possible, different primers are mixed different ways, All that I have seen have a Primer, and a catalyst (to make it harden). Most can be reduced (thinned) to make them flow better in colder temps. You want to Spray the primer in a Med/Wet coat. HOld the gun approx 6 to 8 inches from the panel with about a 25% overlap. YOu will just have to get a feel for how fast to move, for it changes on viscosity (thickness) of material being sprayed. The coat should look smooth and shiny. If it is Dry or you put runs in it, don't worry, you have to sand it anyway. FLash time between coats will vary. You want the panel to appear dull, not shiny.

Step Three: Guide Coat. Once the primer has dried using some kind of paint, rattle can, excess paint from other projects, LIGHTLY spray the primer. the idea is to show you, when your sanding, the high and low spots.

Step Four: SAND (Everybody's FAVORITE part). Begin sanding with 400 grit wetdry sandpaper and a sanding block. Sand till all of the guide coat is gone, Dry panel, repeat step three. SAnd with 500 grit...and so on until you reach 600 grit sandpaper. The panel should now be smooth free of runs, chips, dry spots and NO metal showing (if you sanded thru dont worry just repeat Step two and let Flash off)

After this step you should Unmask and after sanding Wash the vehicle with normal soap and water. Rinse. For the panels being sprayed Blow dry with compressed air and a papertowel to soak up excess water. then Remask the vehicle.

Step Five: Pre CLEAN (again)

Step Six: Color Coats. The fun part. Okay First thing you should do is go over the panel with a Tack Rag to remove any loose particles. DO NOT PRESS Just gently run it over the panel. Spray some kind of adhesion promoter on panel, Like DuPont 222.
Begin spraying 8 to 12 inches from panel with a 50% overlap, you dont want a wet coat, ALWAYS apply light coats. Move faster than with Primer, you will not see a color change all at once.
Flash between coats shouldbe around 5 minutes.

Between COLOR and CLEAR coats let 30 minutes elapse


Step Seven: Clear Coat. The big change. Tack off the color as before. Begin spraying the clear again 8 to 12 inches from the panel, Slower than the color coat. A medium coat will suffice. You want the clear to level itself out and not be to thick or too thin. There will be SOME orange peel, and some dirt in the panel, this cannot be helped.

Drying times will vary with different products. We currently use a clear from Keystone products called KWIK clear, it will dry in 45 minutes @ 130 degree's.
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Ok, so that's it, keep in mind that the number of color coats will vary depending on your preference and the paints you are using.