Just bought a compressor and Spray Gun

[SolaraTRD]

Hey guys~

I just bought a compressor 15 gals at 60sfms @ 40psi by Husky and a spray gun that is compatible with the comp's specs.

I just bought a used/old motorcycle and would love to paint it, give it that lovely deep glossy look of a car. I've always wanted to do small projects and i think this is a great combo.


I'm completely new to this, but where should I start?

- Where do I find automotive paint? (besides the dealerships, and I'm not talking about OEM colors) Ex: Candy Apple Red. =P ?

- Techniques for making a rock solid, glossy finish? I've used spray paint before on small projects, then shoot reasonable layers of thin clear coat. Large amounts of patients, thin sprays, ample drying time, proper sanding and prepping. However, I can run my nail through it and leave a scratch... Also, I still get orange peel textures.

- Any websites worth suggesting? I 've found some on Google, but they're really old and not 100% DIY, instead just detailed on how they did it real quick...

Thanks all!

[PolishAndWax]

Originally Posted by SolaraTRD

Hey guys~

I just bought a compressor 15 gals at 60sfms @ 40psi by Husky and a spray gun that is compatible with the comp's specs.

I just bought a used/old motorcycle and would love to paint it, give it that lovely deep glossy look of a car. I've always wanted to do small projects and i think this is a great combo.


I'm completely new to this, but where should I start?

- Where do I find automotive paint? (besides the dealerships, and I'm not talking about OEM colors) Ex: Candy Apple Red. =P ?

- Techniques for making a rock solid, glossy finish? I've used spray paint before on small projects, then shoot reasonable layers of thin clear coat. Large amounts of patients, thin sprays, ample drying time, proper sanding and prepping. However, I can run my nail through it and leave a scratch... Also, I still get orange peel textures.

- Any websites worth suggesting? I 've found some on Google, but they're really old and not 100% DIY, instead just detailed on how they did it real quick...

Thanks all!

Autobody101.com is a good resource.

I don't know a lot about the painting process, but I can help you out as far as the polishing goes.

You will find a lot of opinions about color sanding and what grit to use, but the shop I deal with finishes with 2000 grit. Some finish with 3000 grit, but we don't think that's necessary.

By the way, don't feel bad about orange peel. It's basically unavoidable and completely expected. The color sanding process removes the orange peel (as well as dirt and any paint nibs that exist).

2000 grit, followed by SYSTEM ONE polish with a wool pad and a rotary, then a foam pad again with SYSTEM ONE and a rotary, will give you a perfect finish.

If you have never used a rotary, it won't be as short and sweet as I made it sound in the above paragraph. If you have some experience, it will be pretty easy.

Check out our color sanding and polishing demonstration here (look for "Marilyn Monroe Hood" Color Sanding" and choose your speed):

http://www.polishandwax.com/system-one-testimonials.htm

PM me if you like for more info, as we might drift off-topic.

[DanEz_yoda]

You can buy paint look on the PPG website and look for distributers. I use PPG Acrylic urethane on the model boats. I'm sure you can find the same for Dupont and some of the other car paint makers.

heres another brand that has AWSOME colors but is a littep pricey compared the the PPG.

http://www.houseofkolor.com/hok/index.jsp


The biggest thing I've found when painting is setting the spray pattern so I know howmuch paint I'm putting on the piece and how wet I can make them before they run. Practice with a test piece before you hit you're prize posession.

Also watch the humidity, ambient temperature and dust sources.

You'll want a water trap for your compressor line so you don't get water in the paint as you're spraying.


You will NEED to get a Vaper rated resporator and air tight goggles and latex/nitrile gloves.
Get them whater you get your paints and make sure they are approved for painting. The fumes are very dangerous and should not be taken lightly. Don't just get a sanding mask either, you need a resporator that goes over your nose and mouth and preferably has two canisters rated to capture paint vapors. Expect to pay ~$50 for a proper resporator. Even with this I wouldn't spend more time than necessary in a strong paint fume concentration. Get in, paint and get to fresh air.

Why do I stress that so much? I have nerve damage in my arms and legs that are linked to breathing this stuff. All the doctors thought I was diabetic after the EMG tests. Brought in some paint samples and they agreed that is probably what did it. I had a small paint booth, no ventalation and a sander "cup" mask.


I still paint but am MUCH more careful.


You can get pretty good from off the gun but perfection comes from polishing.

[SolaraTRD]

Originally Posted by DanEz_yoda

You can buy paint look on the PPG website and look for distributers. I use PPG Acrylic urethane on the model boats. I'm sure you can find the same for Dupont and some of the other car paint makers.

heres another brand that has AWSOME colors but is a littep pricey compared the the PPG.

http://www.houseofkolor.com/hok/index.jsp


The biggest thing I've found when painting is setting the spray pattern so I know howmuch paint I'm putting on the piece and how wet I can make them before they run. Practice with a test piece before you hit you're prize posession.

Also watch the humidity, ambient temperature and dust sources.

You'll want a water trap for your compressor line so you don't get water in the paint as you're spraying.


You will NEED to get a Vaper rated resporator and air tight goggles and latex/nitrile gloves.
Get them whater you get your paints and make sure they are approved for painting. The fumes are very dangerous and should not be taken lightly. Don't just get a sanding mask either, you need a resporator that goes over your nose and mouth and preferably has two canisters rated to capture paint vapors. Expect to pay ~$50 for a proper resporator. Even with this I wouldn't spend more time than necessary in a strong paint fume concentration. Get in, paint and get to fresh air.

Why do I stress that so much? I have nerve damage in my arms and legs that are linked to breathing this stuff. All the doctors thought I was diabetic after the EMG tests. Brought in some paint samples and they agreed that is probably what did it. I had a small paint booth, no ventalation and a sander "cup" mask.


I still paint but am MUCH more careful.


You can get pretty good from off the gun but perfection comes from polishing.

I value your warning. I saw some respirators but wasn't sure if that was over-kill or the norm... (especially watching reality shows on Speed Channel and sometimes American Choppers where the painters don't wear anything at all.)

[drtool]

Rent a spray booth in your area. Allways have latex glovea on when mixing catalist. Spill some on your skin and it goes right to your liver. Have a mask on when mixing paint. Once you get the Icesocynates in catalist in you it never comes out. I pro paint hot-rods and bikes and took pre-med in collage.If the idiots on tv dont have a cartrage mask on they are just ignorant of the facts.Orange peel is normal and better then too wet. To wet and you can have solvent pop hard to fix.To get rid of orange peel, wet sand to 2500 or 3000 then I polish with 3 step3m different pads and polish.Sorry dont have the part #'s in front of me.