So im working hard on the TR atm. Needs a respray, and its somthing i'd like to do myself.

MY question is, who has got tips/tricks?

Whats the difference between spraying plastic and metal panels.

how do you best remove orange peel

whats the process for spraying over factory paint

im a complete newbie at stuff like this, but we are convinced we can do this ourselves haha

any help/advice/tips/tricks would be fantastic

Cheers
Lee

Hey mate,
Difference between plastic and metal parts is that the colour can come out different after its painted but usually the early 90's plastics were pretty solid so you can be lucky but preperation is practically the same to the metal parts especially if you are doin a metallic colour.
To prevent dry spray and orange peel,your first coat should be a nice wet coat and the same with the second and or 3rd if you are doing that many coats which is usually best for a respray but make sure each coat flashes off correctly(drying time between coats) cause it can cause runs and solvent boil.
Do you know what grades of automotive paper to use from doing the dry sanding blocking of primer after repairs to the wet sanding of pre preperation to spraying?
2 pak or acrylic?
Cheers!

Plastic primer and flex ad for bumpers and some plastic parts.

Hey mate,
Difference between plastic and metal parts is that the colour can come out different after its painted but usually the early 90's plastics were pretty solid so you can be lucky but preperation is practically the same to the metal parts especially if you are doin a metallic colour.
To prevent dry spray and orange peel,your first coat should be a nice wet coat and the same with the second and or 3rd if you are doing that many coats which is usually best for a respray but make sure each coat flashes off correctly(drying time between coats) cause it can cause runs and solvent boil.
Do you know what grades of automotive paper to use from doing the dry sanding blocking of primer after repairs to the wet sanding of pre preperation to spraying?
2 pak or acrylic?
Cheers!

Hey mate, go no idea what to use once its all primered

Paint will be just stock Sarajevo White

That is an important part i nearly forgot!
Put a coat of plastic primer before you prime the bumpers and plastic parts as primer filler will flex and crack unless you get a flex primer specifically made for priming bumpers.
Best bet would be to get your colour in 2 pak as it will look good off the gun but will require some experience to get it looking A1 plus would be wise to do it in a spray booth.
Solid would be your best bet to as you dont have to worry about getting basecoat and clearcoat plus you can do alot of dry sanding as 2 pak solid covers small sanding scratches well(very small in terms though).
You would need at least 4L's to spray the car and go about 5 or 6 if your doing in and out.
It is a big guide to type out but if you have a rough idea about getting it repaired and primed,the rest will be easy :)

Rather than asking on this forum, Google the topic - lots of detailed info available.

As a beginner save yourself stress, money and frustration by using acrylic, non metallic with no clearcoat. If you need a spray unit, get a 2 HP unit with attachments. All up cost is $500 for white including the compressor/hose/gun.

The biggest part of the job is your labour. Don't expect to do it all in one weekend.

"Whats the difference between spraying plastic and metal panels."

Metal can be filled, plastic can't. Different primers used. Plastic needs plastic primer and flex-aid added to colour coats.


"how do you best remove orange peel"

Don't get it in the first place - spray technique, needs practise.


"whats the process for spraying over factory paint"

Poor condition anything, any clear coated metallic paint - rip it back to the factory primer, plastics rub back by hand but don't scar the plastic. Then primer/filler and lots of hand rubbing.

HINT: find your local Protec supplier - have all materials needed.
HINT2: use a dust mask when sanding, respirator when painting.

Budget for various grades of wet and dry, sanding blocks, board file and papers, air orbital sander for feathering reapairs, Prep Sol, QUALITY thinners, cheap thinners for cleaning guns, sander polisher, buffing compounds, polish, masking tape and plenty of other sundry stuff i can't remember.

You should be able to keep under a grand.

"Whats the difference between spraying plastic and metal panels."

Metal can be filled, plastic can't. Different primers used. Plastic needs flex-aid.


"how do you best remove orange peel"

Don't get it in the first place - spray technique, needs practise.


"whats the process for spraying over factory paint"

Poor condition anything, any clear coated metallic paint - rip it back to the factory primer, plastics rub back by hand but don't scar the plastic.

You have no idea what you're talking about. No offense intended but you're way off base.

You have no idea what you're talking about. No offense intended but you're way off base.

Any advice I give is freely given and based on experience, having painted 3 magnas over the past 5 years.

It is your democratic right to ignore or refute my contribution, so THANKS Angelo! lol

Lol Max, you're welcome mate. ;-)

Just for Harros sake then, as i don't want a pissin' comp.

Plastic parts may be filled.

If you do it in acrylic, use a wet sanding block. You won't have to worry about orange peel because you're gonna rub her back.

Don't Eff around with cheap shit. Get 3m for all your papers, maybe Norton at worst anything else is false economy.

if the paint is not the best of nick use a primer sealer. Just give the car a good rub back (after you've completed all your repairs.

20 years in the panel game, and over 40 cars painted or restored.

My Dads Torana. EDIT Finished just days before Classic Adelaide 2009.
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/2824/gpakdad.jpg

Im a spray painter by trade and have done millions of cars,its a big type up if i was to fully detail everything but would be good to ask in steps as i can give advice with every step.
You can fill plastic parts with a plastoflex primer but it is harder to rub than normal HS primer filler as it has a glossy look to it :)

Don't worry about a writeup - just point him at these 2 books:

A. Probert "Spray painting in Australia"

and

Gregory's manual number 419 "Spray painting"

The second is worth its weight in gold as it describes all of the Protec and Dulon products (acrylic mostly) and how to use them, plus a lot more.

Plastoflex primer? must get me some!

Those books are outdated. For one Dulon is soooooo old it's like from the early 70's. All Dulux Acrylic laquer is now by PPG. Stay away from Protec, it's cheap and nasty and always will be.

Cheap yes, nasty no.

419 outlines the steps taken in repainting and materials used. Good reading for a beginner like the OP.

Where u buy ur paint is a personal choice.

Protec is garbage! Would recommend debeers as its a very fair price and good at coverage.
PPG isnt that bad but would still spend a little extra for better quality.
Dupont has an economy line which doesnt do too bad :)