Tell me about painting cars...

[Dr.Mike]

So I want to learn how to paint. I don't need to paint show cars or anything, I just want to know enough to paint body panels on the trail truck and future rally car when I inevitably smash them into something. I have a toolbox I want to start off painting.

At this point I need some advice on a gun to get (mid range) and an air dryer. and then move on from there to the actual primer and paint. Any other info is welcome!

*also if this is in the wrong section feel free to move it.

[Th3Juggernaut]

http://www.autobody101.com/articles/

http://www.hotrodders.com/clusters/carpainting.html

One thing I do know from being around painters is there's no one real way to do things. You find out what works best for you and how you like to go about it and you develop your own style.

[OVRBST]

It's all in the prep.... all of it. squirting the paint and sanding/buffing the clear is easy. It's prep and body work that takes all the time and will determine wether the paint job is nice or not-so-nice.

Also, stay away from single stage paint. It's a real.. REAL pain in the a$$ to work with and sprays like crap.
If you want cheap, go with OMNI paint. It's not great, but it's paint and looks alright.

Also, pick up a decent gun/compressor/regulator/water seperator, the better the tools, the better the odds of a decent outcome. Do yourself a favor and get a gravity feed gun.

[scudweiser]

^^ x2 on the prep work, and i have a siphon feed gun which does the job allright, but i wish i had a gravity feed one.

[Ballistic Motorsports]

If serious , I have a Air dryer forsale http://nh.craigslist.org/tls/1514306594.html

[peppahillcustom]

devilibiss sells a finish line gun for around 150 dollars.make sure the tip is between a 1.3 and 1.5 tip.This setup will work well for both basing and clearing.Also alex is right in that the paint job will only look as good as the prep work.Final grit on sanded primer should be between 400 and 600 grit.I have done many custom cars and the prep work is key.

[Dr.Mike]

Thanks for the tips guys. As far as air dryers go if I'm only going to be painting occasionally and don't need show-ready results do I really need an air dryer of that caliber or can i get away with something a little less serious (Read- Cheaper)?

[peppahillcustom]

They sell a canitser setup that isn't too expensive.Canisters if used daily are good for about a month.

[Ballistic Motorsports]

Thanks for the tips guys. As far as air dryers go if I'm only going to be painting occasionally and don't need show-ready results do I really need an air dryer of that caliber or can i get away with something a little less serious (Read- Cheaper)?

Just offering it . Dont know how serious you want to get . But once you do the research on Desiccants style and Condenser style .. You will find this is a steal In reality if anyone wants it I will let it go for $500

[Calvin1.8t]

buy a paint gun and rent a compressor. learn to wet sand and have a steady hand.