Looking to see if I can paint my Fiero for substantially less than a $1500 paint job. I'd like to get a nice gun and paint. Anything on the gun? Is Duplicolor Color Shop, or whatever, a good paint to use? The guy who painted my last car said it needed "Flex agent".
A 40 dollar Harbor freight gun, Dupont Chromabase paint, Trans star clear, wetsanding and buffing gave me the resuls you see on the Camaro and Firebird in this thread.
Now that's a tuff one to answer. I do get paid to fix and paint cars, but don't do it every day. Have my own four bay garage with a paint both that I built. Camaro is my personal car and would be an average job for me. Been working on them since 15 and am now 44. I have done blending of panels and repair on newer cars. Not a "Pro" but I guess I would use the term highly advanced beginner. Thanks for the compliment.
Kevin
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12:14 PM
grkboy707 Member
Posts: 3019 From: Kingsville, MD Registered: May 2009
Now that's a tuff one to answer. I do get paid to fix and paint cars, but don't do it every day. Have my own four bay garage with a paint both that I built. Camaro is my personal car and would be an average job for me. Been working on them since 15 and am now 44. I have done blending of panels and repair on newer cars. Not a "Pro" but I guess I would use the term highly advanced beginner. Thanks for the compliment.
Kevin
Ahhh thats what I was afraid of. See, I'm at the beginning of your scale, so mine wouldnt quite look so nice. I was really hoping you wee gonna say it was one of the first paint jobs you've done.
Dont know anything about the guns but. If your taking the pannels off the car make sure when you paint them you place them as if they were sitting on the car. Meaning if you take the fender off paint it hanging sideways off the rack. makes it come out better and flow with the car when finished.
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06:49 PM
Lambo nut Member
Posts: 4442 From: Centralia,Missouri. USA Registered: Sep 2003
Ahhh thats what I was afraid of. See, I'm at the beginning of your scale, so mine wouldnt quite look so nice. I was really hoping you wee gonna say it was one of the first paint jobs you've done.
In all honesty, my first paint job did look pretty much that good also. It was on a 71 Ford Maverick, but was with 81 Cadillac metallic blue laquer paint. Wet sanded and buffed. It is not that hard really. Or maybe I should say, it never seemed hard for me. Just practice on something small to start with. Plus base/clear is somewhat forgiving. Proper prep, paint, clear, let set overnight then sand and buff. The painting/clearing actually takes the least amout of time of the whole process.
Kevin
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08:13 PM
grkboy707 Member
Posts: 3019 From: Kingsville, MD Registered: May 2009
Duplicolor is just about goof proof, but it is lacquer. Its not as durable without care, and HAS to be buffed to shine up. for a one timer, a cheap Harbor Freight gun is just fine...I use them myself on used cars, spraying glue, undercoating and anything else that will pour. Basecoat/clearcoat is more durable than all the others, needs no upkeep, but a screw up takes some time to fix. Overspray from it dries rock hard, so anything in the area your painting in will become covered permanently with it. I have to razor blade scrape and steelwool my garage TV screen all the time to see it.
As for flex agent.....It and adhesion sealer are about as worthless as used doggy dodo.
I own my own paint and body shop...........over 45 years.
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Owner / Operator Custom Paint and Body... specializing in Corvette & Higher End Autos for 45 years Ferrari, Mercedes and Porsche Body Repair Approved ____________________________________________
toys: '66 custom Dodge 'Super Bee' power by 413 SuperStock V8 2008 Mustang Bullet Edition 1977 Cessna 172XP Hawk HiPerf
