Planning a paintjob
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Planning a paintjob
I am (finally) preparing to paint my truck. I plan to go with a lighter shade of metallic gray than the stock color, mostly to help hide my poor bodywork and because the primer is also light gray. Please keep in mind that this is by NO means a show truck, just a decent looking 4x4 beater.
I need suggestions on what type of paint to look for. For budget reasons, I don’t plan/want to clear coat it if possible. I don't think the stock paint was clearcoated ('89 F150 Custom).
Are there metallic paints that don’t require a clear coat but have a gloss finish?
What about sanding or rubbing out the paintjob afterwards. Years ago, I’d helped a friend wetsand out an all black paintjob a few days after it was done. Then he used a buffer to bring the shine back. Can that be done to only a metallic paint or will it have to be clear coated first?
How long should I wait before sanding out any orange peel?
If I have to clear coat it, can/should I wetsand the base coat before spraying the clear?
The gravity spray gun I have has a 1.4mm nozzle. Is that OK for metallic paint? Clear?
I need suggestions on what type of paint to look for. For budget reasons, I don’t plan/want to clear coat it if possible. I don't think the stock paint was clearcoated ('89 F150 Custom).
Are there metallic paints that don’t require a clear coat but have a gloss finish?
What about sanding or rubbing out the paintjob afterwards. Years ago, I’d helped a friend wetsand out an all black paintjob a few days after it was done. Then he used a buffer to bring the shine back. Can that be done to only a metallic paint or will it have to be clear coated first?
How long should I wait before sanding out any orange peel?
If I have to clear coat it, can/should I wetsand the base coat before spraying the clear?
The gravity spray gun I have has a 1.4mm nozzle. Is that OK for metallic paint? Clear?
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Willamette Valley Oregon
<cr>
You can not sand a metallic basecoat or single stage (well, you can but you'll be sorry). Sanding changes the lay of the metallic particles. If you want to sand and buff, you will need to apply a clearcoat. The actual sanding and buffing is done on the clearcoat.
The 1.4 tip will work just fine.
All of your metallic single-stage paints will have a shine. Basecoats do not have a shine. The shine comes from the clearcoat.
You can not sand a metallic basecoat or single stage (well, you can but you'll be sorry). Sanding changes the lay of the metallic particles. If you want to sand and buff, you will need to apply a clearcoat. The actual sanding and buffing is done on the clearcoat.
The 1.4 tip will work just fine.
All of your metallic single-stage paints will have a shine. Basecoats do not have a shine. The shine comes from the clearcoat.
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Let's say I use a metallic single stage paint and do an awful job on the painting and need to spray another coat. Can I wet sand down the 1st coat of metallic single stage and spray a second coat over it?
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From: northern Ky
Originally Posted by weymouth
Let's say I use a metallic single stage paint and do an awful job on the painting and need to spray another coat. Can I wet sand down the 1st coat of metallic single stage and spray a second coat over it?
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Are there defined levels or sizes of metal flake? I was looking at the paint on my wife's van (Chrysler T&C) and my daily driver (Mitsu. Galant) and the flake is much larger on the van. It would seem to me a smaller flake would stay suspended better and thus be easier to paint. A friend at work suggested going with a 'pimpin' huge metal flake to help hide the bad body work.
Would you say it would be easier to paint a metallic basecoat and then shoot a clear over it. (the local autopaint store is blowing out stock and I think I can score my supplies cheaper than planned)?
Would you say it would be easier to paint a metallic basecoat and then shoot a clear over it. (the local autopaint store is blowing out stock and I think I can score my supplies cheaper than planned)?
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Senior User
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From: northern Ky
Originally Posted by weymouth
Are there defined levels or sizes of metal flake? I was looking at the paint on my wife's van (Chrysler T&C) and my daily driver (Mitsu. Galant) and the flake is much larger on the van. It would seem to me a smaller flake would stay suspended better and thus be easier to paint. A friend at work suggested going with a 'pimpin' huge metal flake to help hide the bad body work.
Would you say it would be easier to paint a metallic basecoat and then shoot a clear over it. (the local autopaint store is blowing out stock and I think I can score my supplies cheaper than planned)?
I recommend the base/clear. Follow the label directions carefully! Good luck!
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Baltimore
I agree with Marc9000 for a first time painter you want to go with a basecoat/clearcoat they are relativly easy to work with. Like he said follow instructions carefully and you should end up with a nice paint job with little to no hassel.
