My Formula is getting ready to hit the open road but looks like total crap so I’m going to try my hand at painting it, I can’t make it any worse!
I did some searching and there are lots of threads with different suggestions for bodywork/prep/paint. Can somebody point me towards some really good ones or let me know what I’m getting into. I’ve done paint before but am by far an expert and welcome any/all info.
1. The body is pretty straight except for the area around the sunroof that has the typical chips/ bubbles and exposed fiberglass (SMC). I believe that fixing those areas are nothing more than grinding down with 24 grit and filling with a SMC safe bondo…same goes for anything I find on the hood, right?.
2. How about the doors/fenders if I find something that needs to be repaired.
3. The car was repainted – terribly so it needs to be stripped down to the original base/primer. What’s the easiest way to get down to a good foundation without going too deep/far? I have a 60 gallon compressor, DA, HVLP guns etc etc.
4. What’s a good name/type/brand of primer and then final black paint/clear to use that looks great but is forgiving for newb's. I’ll be getting this from a local paint shop and I’m sure they can help but I don’t want to walk in clueless. Thanks!

A lot of threads on this.....you can search and find out just about everything...here is a sample.

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/076803.html

quote Originally posted by Gall757: A lot of threads on this.....you can search and find out just about everything...here is a sample. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/076803.html

Oh Yes i know there are countless threads on this but some are "bodywork" some "paint" or like that one it's "88 GT - Painting it myself thread" I never would have found that searching for "Painting tips"
Thanks!

(1) Right.
(2) http://gafieroclub.org/bbs/index.php?topic=469.0
(3) http://gafieroclub.org/strip_fiero.shtml
(4) PPG epoxy (DP) primer.
For good paint that's cheap, Dupont Nason base/clear.
HTH,
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

Thanks Paul, i was hoping you'd chime in. I wish the search function was better....or i was better at it.

quote Originally posted by Tha Driver: For good paint that's cheap, Dupont Nason base/clear. aka "Tha Driver"

I'm not so much concerned with cost as ease of use and end result for a garage paint job. I'll gladly pay a bit more for better looking or more forgiving paint.

Also is it OK to do the panels 1 or 2 at a time? Like if i remove the hood and fenders, paint and put back on the car, then remove the door panels etc etc.... will they all match when i'm done? I know metalics should all be done at the same time but what about black?

[This message has been edited by DLCLK87GT (edited 04-19-2011).]

Black doesn't matter, as long as you use the same paint.
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

I'm doing mine now in my garage. Painting starts somewhere on the second page...

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/F...1/HTML/079445-2.html

Not saying I'm doing it right or anything, but my result will hopefully speak for itself. I'm using a metallic gunmetal and a metallic blue. I'm having a couple issues with coverage in a few spots, and had a few incidents that I'm going to have to do some repairs on (note: don't poke the panel to see if the paint is dry. sigh...). It's a lot of work, but still fun... at times...

Brad

edit: on the first page somewhere near the bottom I've got a photo of some of the repairs I did on the roof. I had the same issue as you do, with cracking in spots. I gouged out the damaged spots and used a SMC adhesive as a filler, then sanded them down. It was many hours of work, but it looks as perfect as I could make it.

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1987 Fiero GT - 3800 Series III, N* TB, 3.5" pulley, Magnaflow

[This message has been edited by BtotheB (edited 04-19-2011).]