Noob painting attempt

[Jeff Kleiner]

Curious what clear you're using that only allows you a pot life of 30 minutes? I use either 5 Star Extreme that gives up to 5 hours or PPG Vibrance 5700 which is 2.5 hours. Don't get in too big of a rush between coats; in addition to having it take off and run you can end up with solvent popping.

Jeff

[miller7448]

20200608_184939.jpg This is the paint and clear coat system. I'm happy with the way the base goes on but due to a missed run in the primer that appeared when I was wet sanding the clear and several dirt specks due to poor cleaning after sanding and before painting I re-sanded the doors. First with 80 then 220. Will reapply the black primer that came with the kit and try again.

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Was able to remove the clear coat runs easy enough then worked progressively from 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, 5000 to a polisher to make sure I was happy with the finish as a test prior to re-sanding for a retry.

[miller7448]

Spent 2 weeks chasing problems with repainting the doors. Finally took them all the way down, and restarted. 20200621_143429.jpg20200621_143450.jpg20200621_143435.jpg20200621_143537.jpg

I like the appearance. They look good from 10 feet away .

[miller7448]

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3 Full body base coats, no hose whips, no bugs, no runs! Getting slightly better or just lucky. Other than sweating like mad, 80 degrees seems like a good temp for this paint.

[j.miller]

20200625_175043.jpg
3 Full body base coats, no hose whips, no bugs, no runs! Getting slightly better or just lucky. Other than sweating like mad, 80 degrees seems like a good temp for this paint.

Always go with "lucky". As soon as you say you are getting better karma will slap you like a red headed stepchild. I've been running on luck for years. Couldn't tell you the horror stories of how I got "karma slapped" when I was young and picking apart someone else's work. TEN FOLD I got it back....biblical proportions I tell you...da Bat. keep up the good work.

[miller7448]

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Well, it's good enough to get it on the road. Should have known better that the "kit" was not enough to properly complete the car. I don't think the clear coat is thick enough to allow finishing the surface, but I ran out after barely 3 coats. Not sure what the options are for adding more later. I enjoyed the process but would not recommend it .

[Presto51]

Always go with "lucky". As soon as you say you are getting better karma will slap you like a red headed stepchild. I've been running on luck for years. Couldn't tell you the horror stories of how I got "karma slapped" when I was young and picking apart someone else's work. TEN FOLD I got it back....biblical proportions I tell you...da Bat. keep up the good work.

Absolutely spot on! Always better to be lucky than good, to much to contend with when car painting.

Looks good

Ron

[miller7448]

cobra1.jpgcobra2.jpg

Looks OK from 20 ft . A lot of defects but I'm still glad I gave it a try. Would have been interesting to have access to a true paint booth and the limited knowledge I have gained. Biggest mistake was believing the paint "kit" would be enough to cover the car. In reality should have had 2 gallons of both top coat and clear. Doors have major runs and on one lifting which will need to be redone over the winter. Still not sure what the final plan will be but will likely run with it as is for a year.