Getting ready to paint my 84 coupe in Fiero red, but since all the paint is faded, I'd like to know if the black paint on the rear lid is supposed to be gloss, flat, or semi gloss? Any ideas?

Thanks....

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1984 Pontiac Fiero SE

1980 Porsche 928
1974 Mercedes 450 SL

It's semi-gloss or "satin" black. I use PPG epoxy (DP) primer on all the parts & paint the black with semi-flat urethane. SEM (brand name) makes a "Hot Rod black" kit HR010 that has everything but the sandpaper & primer.
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

I do not remember whose car it was, but saw some shots of one that was repainted with a BC/CC gloss black. It was pretty darn nice. I have been thinking about doing this myself to mine.
-Joe

Bought the paint today. Red paint is really expensive!

quote Originally posted by KraigG: Bought the paint today. Red paint is really expensive!

Yes it is.
You really need to seal that car with a coat of PPG epoxy (DP) primer.
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

Custom Fiberglass Parts

Paul:

Got 3 quarts of the base, 2 quarts of the clear, 2 quarts of clear coat activator, 1 qt of flex agent, 1 qt of sealer, and 1 qt of activator. My cost, at the local automotive paint store, was $850.
Ouch!

What the hell brand of paint did you buy for $850.00?

quote Originally posted by KraigG: Paul: Got 3 quarts of the base, 2 quarts of the clear, 2 quarts of clear coat activator, 1 qt of flex agent, 1 qt of sealer, and 1 qt of activator. My cost, at the local automotive paint store, was $850. Ouch!

That's fairly typical of quality red paint. But you still need the PPG epoxy primer as a base (not "sealer"). The epoxy is ten times better than any sealer for adhesion, holdout, & bleedthrough. The flex agent is not necessary but it can't hurt. I'm assuming you have an HVLP gun?
For the best result with the way that car looks I'd sand the epoxy (after at least two days to dry) with 400 wet before painting. Don't shortcut it now after you've spent so much time & money on it.
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

Custom Fiberglass Parts

[This message has been edited by Tha Driver (edited 05-04-2011).]

Paul:

The paint alone was $175 a quart. The job came out pretty nicely! No, I don't have a gun. I've owned a print shop by profession, so I have no skills in painting, and I'm too old to learn new tricks. A friend who owns a body shop, and has painted previous show cars for me, did the job. He charged me $1200 for prep, and to shoot it and buff it.

I'll pick it up in a day or tow, and post pics.

Why in the hell did you get 3 quarts of base? That car will only need 1 quart of reduced base to cover it, especially red over red. The reason red is so expensive is the minerals that are used to tint the paint. They are the most expensive in automotive paint. That's why you don't see too many ecoboxes painted red. Like all ford focuses are silver...

And I don't see any reducer on your paint list... Also, you only needed one quart of clear.

[This message has been edited by 86fiero2m4 (edited 05-08-2011).]

I painted a twin engine 20 passenger commuter airliner with $1000 worth of paint and material. What did you use the flex agent for, you know its not needed for anything right ? Used to be used years ago when brittle paint was put on urathane bumpers (still didnt work then btw). Id say salesman saw you coming. Ive done this stuff for 45 years now.

Here's how it turned out.