Quote:
Originally Posted by Fisch
Looks great. I've planned to color match some stuff - down the road when I finally got to under hood mods. I figured I'd have to do something special due to the heat. How long has that been painted, and have you seen any issues from the heat?
So what was your painting process - Any sanding, priming? Just spray cans of OEM paint and the clear with the hardener? And how do you know it has the hardener in it?
Sorry for all of the questions! You did a good job and I'm looking to do something similar - so you got me interested.
Thanks.
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I painted them in the Spring before it got hot. I would say in April or so. I have not had any probelms with the paint because of the heat. I just used OEM paint from Automotivetouchup.com Most shaker can clear, from what I have found anyway, doesnt have the hardner in it. There are some companies out there that do have a shaker can clear but I do not remember them off the top of my head. I know you can find it by googling it. Thats how I did it. It is actually a regular shaker can with a "button" on the bottom. You turn it upside down and push the button to break the capsule inside and it releases the hardner into the can. Because of this though, you only have a certain amount of workable time with the can before it is no good. If you dont have a spray gun or anything like that, the easiest way would be to get it all painted and then take it to a shop and ask them to paint it next time they do a car. They shouldnt charge you too much doing it that way.
Now for the steps involved...
First you should sand everything you want painted to scuff up the surface a little bit. Dont use anything too course though. You dont want to have scratches that are too deep.
Second, clean every thing up real good to get all bits of dust and any grease that is left behind. I used 100% isopropyl alcohol to cloean mine but i heard that amonia works really weel too.
Third, put down some coats of adhesion promoter to help the paint stick to the plastic. BULLY is a good brand but I used duplicolor from NAPA or AutoZone. Either one would work just fine.
Fourth, lay down 2 or 4 coats of primer. I used the high build formula so it owuld fill in any scratches that were a little deeper than I had wanted. After the primer is dry, I used 600 grit or higher to sand the primer nice and smooth.
Fifth, apply at least 3 coats of your base color. Make sure you do nice light even coats. You dont want to runs or drips.
Sixth, After everything is dry and looks the way you want it to, apply 3 coats or so of your clear. The clear coat is what makes the colors POP and gives it that mirror shine.
Make sure you do this in as dust free of a setting as possible. You can even make you own spray booth with a big cardboard box and some clear plastic from the hardware store. Kinda ghetto but it works and thats all that matters. LOL.
To get an even nicer shine, you can wet sand the clear coat with a very high grit sand paper, like 1000 then 1500, and then buff your new piece. I'm not an expert painter so there might be something that I should have done but that is what worked for me. Hope that helps
Before/After of my Engine Bay--PICS INSIDE (Moved)
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