strip-down, preparing for a cheap paintjob

como · 05-31-2009, 03:05 PM

let me start off by saying that I'm not a big stickler for how a cars paint looks, in my mind paint is only on a car to keep the rust from attacking it...

Having said that, I just got my first mr2, and it's very red. Unfortunately, red around here means getting pulled over more often, so I need to make it not so red- I'm thinking rustoleum black. However, my primary goal is to rust-proof this car!

I'll be starting with the underbody, what kinds of products are known to work well for keeping the metal safe from calcium chloride? (that stuff thats worse than salt they use around here)

Also, there was some plastic trim on the driverside door that was holding in something that chewed up the paint and caused it to crack. I ripped off the plastic, but I cant seem to get all of the doublesided tape off. I'm guessing I could just let it dry now (Was washing the car when I noticed it) and then just rip it off with a knife, but that will definately expose more bare metal, and it's going to be a few weeks before I can concentrate on the paint. Any reccomendations for getting that stuff off?

Also, what should I prep the currently painted surface with before priming it? Just sand it down, or is there some sort of etching product that works better? I probably wouldnt sand to bare-metal only because I don't have all the time in the world, so I'm thinking just a light rough up with an electric sander and then a few coats of primer, then a few coats of cheap black with maybe some matte clearcoat if I can find some.

Open to any and all suggestions that dont include shelling out for a professional paintjob

tstoney82 · 05-31-2009, 04:49 PM

for the easiest paint job that looks decent and wont cost too much, use krylon fusion. you wont have to sand, prime, or anything else. just spray it. my friend did it with his civic and it looks amazing. he touched up the spots he needed to touch up then he sprayed it with the krylon. 3 or 4 coats and it was awesome. i think he used about 6 or 7 cans per coat. multiply that by about $4 a can. thats less than $110 for a painted car. just make sure you cover up and tape off the things you dont want painted.

Hsien-Ko MR2 · 05-31-2009, 05:17 PM

Sound advice. Im gonna attempt that for my own amusement on something. It really endes up looking like car paint?

como · 05-31-2009, 08:00 PM

Even with cheap $2 no-name paint on my current car it looked pretty darn good. I'm way more interested in how well it holds up, though. as I said, I'm only really interested in how well it keeps the car from rusting, and I'm only REALLY concerned about the underbody, where you'll never actually see it (which is why it's such a problem), but I need to know what needs to go into prepping the body- if this paint starts to chip or flake down the road, there is going to be arrest-me-red showing through black, and that just looks like nobody cares anymore.

como · 05-31-2009, 08:18 PM

Also, now that I think about it, my father has two air-compressor spray bottle things he got from somewhere. They wouldnt be top-notch, but it brings up the possibility of using non-rattlecan paints. how much air do these require? our air compressor isn't that great, and cant keep up with a cutting disc thing very well. It's a large tank, goes to about 80psi, but cant compress air that quickly to keep up.

tstoney82 · 05-31-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by como

Also, now that I think about it, my father has two air-compressor spray bottle things he got from somewhere. They wouldnt be top-notch, but it brings up the possibility of using non-rattlecan paints. how much air do these require? our air compressor isn't that great, and cant keep up with a cutting disc thing very well. It's a large tank, goes to about 80psi, but cant compress air that quickly to keep up.

these guns, if the can is on the bottom, should be regulated on the gun to about 45psi. if the guns do not have a regulator on them, go to walmart and buy a regulator with a guage and some fittings. this should be about $15 total. if the can is on the top, use as much pressure as possible, for these can be ran up to 90psi. after that, buy some good rustoleum gloss enamel and shoot the hell out of it. when you are done shooting it, wet sand it with a 2000 grit wetodry paper from 3M (again found at walmart...about $3 a pack). let it dry then shoot it once again. repeat this for as many coats as you want. when you are done with the color, buy some rustoleum crystal clear (walmart is again your friend) and spray that. after all that is said and done, you should have one fine looking car.

to answer the question about the undercoating.........go to the local parts store and pick up some undercoating or weatherproof spray-on liner and spray the underside of the car. this should protect everything. if you already have a little rust under there, try sanding it off, use a little rustoleum automotive primer (this has rust protectant in it) and then spray the undercoating on the primer when it dries.

i am actually painting my car as we speak so if you have any questions just pm me.

tstoney82 · 05-31-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hsien-Ko MR2

Sound advice. Im gonna attempt that for my own amusement on something. It really endes up looking like car paint?

if its done right (meaning you tape everything up right, watch your lines, and take your time) it can look very professional. especially if you use a glossy paint with a glossy clearcoat.

tstoney82 · 05-31-2009, 10:55 PM

this is what ive done with mine today. her is the before and after shots. i used krylon fusion gloss black colorcode 2321. this is only the first coat of color.

Brinkley · 05-31-2009, 11:16 PM

I've got an e30 that needs a paint job i am considering the fusion

tstoney82 · 05-31-2009, 11:20 PM

drive that thing from asheville to raleigh and we'll spray em. i got a 12 pack of paint and a 12 pack of beer waiting

Brinkley · 05-31-2009, 11:26 PM

hahahaha i just saw that you were in NC! well i have some rattle can experience. I have flat blacked trim and done a bumper before on my 2. came out ok. patience is the biggest pay off. e30 to raleigh...i dunno if i trust my personal 5 speed swap that far...yet.

tstoney82 · 05-31-2009, 11:30 PM

its all good. i got some people out in asheville. most of them going to app state or went to app and are chillin out there now. i also used to rollerblade so ive gotten to know alot of people throughout nc when we would go on road trips.

05-31-2009, 03:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
como Road Warrior Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 652 Thanks: 13 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	strip-down, preparing for a cheap paintjob let me start off by saying that I'm not a big stickler for how a cars paint looks, in my mind paint is only on a car to keep the rust from attacking it... Having said that, I just got my first mr2, and it's very red. Unfortunately, red around here means getting pulled over more often, so I need to make it not so red- I'm thinking rustoleum black. However, my primary goal is to rust-proof this car! I'll be starting with the underbody, what kinds of products are known to work well for keeping the metal safe from calcium chloride? (that stuff thats worse than salt they use around here) Also, there was some plastic trim on the driverside door that was holding in something that chewed up the paint and caused it to crack. I ripped off the plastic, but I cant seem to get all of the doublesided tape off. I'm guessing I could just let it dry now (Was washing the car when I noticed it) and then just rip it off with a knife, but that will definately expose more bare metal, and it's going to be a few weeks before I can concentrate on the paint. Any reccomendations for getting that stuff off? Also, what should I prep the currently painted surface with before priming it? Just sand it down, or is there some sort of etching product that works better? I probably wouldnt sand to bare-metal only because I don't have all the time in the world, so I'm thinking just a light rough up with an electric sander and then a few coats of primer, then a few coats of cheap black with maybe some matte clearcoat if I can find some. Open to any and all suggestions that dont include shelling out for a professional paintjob

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05-31-2009, 04:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
tstoney82 one hitter quiter.... Join Date: May 2009 Location: clayton nc Posts: 638 Thanks: 16 Thanked 18 Times in 16 Posts iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	for the easiest paint job that looks decent and wont cost too much, use krylon fusion. you wont have to sand, prime, or anything else. just spray it. my friend did it with his civic and it looks amazing. he touched up the spots he needed to touch up then he sprayed it with the krylon. 3 or 4 coats and it was awesome. i think he used about 6 or 7 cans per coat. multiply that by about $4 a can. thats less than $110 for a painted car. just make sure you cover up and tape off the things you dont want painted.

05-31-2009, 05:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
Hsien-Ko MR2 So far... she runs Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 114 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	Sound advice. Im gonna attempt that for my own amusement on something. It really endes up looking like car paint?

05-31-2009, 08:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
como Road Warrior Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 652 Thanks: 13 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Even with cheap $2 no-name paint on my current car it looked pretty darn good. I'm way more interested in how well it holds up, though. as I said, I'm only really interested in how well it keeps the car from rusting, and I'm only REALLY concerned about the underbody, where you'll never actually see it (which is why it's such a problem), but I need to know what needs to go into prepping the body- if this paint starts to chip or flake down the road, there is going to be arrest-me-red showing through black, and that just looks like nobody cares anymore.

05-31-2009, 08:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
como Road Warrior Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 652 Thanks: 13 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Also, now that I think about it, my father has two air-compressor spray bottle things he got from somewhere. They wouldnt be top-notch, but it brings up the possibility of using non-rattlecan paints. how much air do these require? our air compressor isn't that great, and cant keep up with a cutting disc thing very well. It's a large tank, goes to about 80psi, but cant compress air that quickly to keep up.

05-31-2009, 10:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
tstoney82 one hitter quiter.... Join Date: May 2009 Location: clayton nc Posts: 638 Thanks: 16 Thanked 18 Times in 16 Posts iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	this is what ive done with mine today. her is the before and after shots. i used krylon fusion gloss black colorcode 2321. this is only the first coat of color.

05-31-2009, 11:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
Brinkley My name is a killing word Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Asheville NC Posts: 422 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	I've got an e30 that needs a paint job i am considering the fusion

05-31-2009, 11:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
tstoney82 one hitter quiter.... Join Date: May 2009 Location: clayton nc Posts: 638 Thanks: 16 Thanked 18 Times in 16 Posts iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	drive that thing from asheville to raleigh and we'll spray em. i got a 12 pack of paint and a 12 pack of beer waiting

05-31-2009, 11:26 PM	#11 (permalink)
Brinkley My name is a killing word Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Asheville NC Posts: 422 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	hahahaha i just saw that you were in NC! well i have some rattle can experience. I have flat blacked trim and done a bumper before on my 2. came out ok. patience is the biggest pay off. e30 to raleigh...i dunno if i trust my personal 5 speed swap that far...yet.

05-31-2009, 11:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
tstoney82 one hitter quiter.... Join Date: May 2009 Location: clayton nc Posts: 638 Thanks: 16 Thanked 18 Times in 16 Posts iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	its all good. i got some people out in asheville. most of them going to app state or went to app and are chillin out there now. i also used to rollerblade so ive gotten to know alot of people throughout nc when we would go on road trips.