5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
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Hey guys im getting my RS grille in the mail soon and i plan to color match it. I am going to order my car color in a spray can but there are two options: enamel and basecoat. I have never done any automotive painting so i am not sure what the difference is. Could you help me out?
oh and also, I can just buy a regular clearcoat from autozone right?
If you are spraying a plastic grill, use prepsol to make sure it is clean and then give it one or two coats of plastic adhesion promoter(clear primer). Follow with 3 light coats of base color and then 3 to 4 coats of clear. Make sure you understand the flash time between coats and be prepared to start and finish the entire job before stoping. You need to use compatible products from one supplier. Duplicolor will work or some other suppliers similar to this one
If you are spraying a plastic grill, use prepsol to make sure it is clean and then give it one or two coats of plastic adhesion promoter(clear primer). Follow with 3 light coats of base color and then 3 to 4 coats of clear. Make sure you understand the flash time between coats and be prepared to start and finish the entire job before stoping. You need to use compatible products from one supplier. Duplicolor will work or some other suppliers similar to this one
I actually was checking out the link that you posted. I didnt know you had to use compatible products from one supplier. As for the products i should use, i cant just sand down the plastic surface and shoot the basecoat on and wet sand? Or by using the plastic adhesion promoter, the base coats, then clear coats, i wont need to do any sanding?
You can use products from different suppliers but you need to make sure that they work together. It's much simpler to buy one product line and then you don't have problems. You need to scuff the plastic with 400 to 600 grit or a 3M nylon scuff pad to make sure the primer has a roughened surface to stick to. The prepsol will chemically clean the plastic, the plastic adhesion promoter will make the paint stick to plastic, the 3 light coats of base will give you a good, even color coat and the clear coats will seal.
You can skip the plastic adhesion promoter but the paint will not last as long and might not adhere to the plastic. Remember that light even coats are better than one heavy coat in the base and the clear. If you can, shoot in a clean environment (make small paint booth from plastic film, a frame from light PVC pipe, a box fan, duct tape and a air conditioning filter). Make sure you wear a respirator or you will not give a s**t how the paint looks.
You can use products from different suppliers but you need to make sure that they work together. It's much simpler to buy one product line and then you don't have problems. You need to scuff the plastic with 400 to 600 grit or a 3M nylon scuff pad to make sure the primer has a roughened surface to stick to. The prepsol will chemically clean the plastic, the plastic adhesion promoter will make the paint stick to plastic, the 3 light coats of base will give you a good, even color coat and the clear coats will seal.
You can skip the plastic adhesion promoter but the paint will not last as long and might not adhere to the plastic. Remember that light even coats are better than one heavy coat in the base and the clear. If you can, shoot in a clean environment (make small paint booth from plastic film, a frame from light PVC pipe, a box fan, duct tape and a air conditioning filter). Make sure you wear a respirator or you will not give a s**t how the paint looks.
i did some research on the prepsol and it seems that it is hard to find.. is there an alternative to this step? is it necessary?
You can get prepsol at most car parts stores. Even WalMart carries it. It is just short hand for prep solvent.
It is used to make sure that you do not have any oils (or anything else) on the surface that will cause "fisheyes" in the paint.
Edit: You can get a 19oz spray can of Total Prep at Advance Auto Parts for 6 to 7 dollars. Duplicolor prepsol also comes in a spray can. You can buy in qts and gallons but I doubt that you will need an entire gallon
Last edited by GeorgiaHybrid; 11-17-2008 at 12:31 AM.
ok i got the grille in today and i started thinking about what I will need to do.. I plan to buy the basecoat and the clearcoat from http://www.automotivetouchup.com/spray_paint.asp but thinking to buy the adhesive promoter by duplicolor from the local auto parts store. I shouldnt have a problem mixing these right? I want to do the prep work while the rattle can is on order..
You can go ahead and start but I would just prep by scuffing the plastic and wait. There is not that long of a flash time with the adhesion promoter and I don't like waiting a long time between coats as it can cause coat failure (separation) down the road. It will be easier in the long run to scuff the grill and wait as you will only need to clean the grill one time with prepsol.
Patience is a virtue a times...
Last edited by GeorgiaHybrid; 11-23-2008 at 08:43 PM.
You can go ahead and start but I would just prep by scuffing the plastic and wait. There is not that long of a flash time with the adhesion promoter and I don't like waiting a long time between coats as it can cause coat failure (separation) down the road. It will be easier in the long run to scuff the grill and wait as you will only need to clean the grill one time with prepsol.
Patience is a virtue a times...
ok that sounds good
do you think i should wet sand after the base coats? or is it not that important
Do not wet sand any coats except for the top clear coat after it has cured. With any metalic based paint you will ruin the "metalic" look by sanding. With a solid based paint, you run the chance of leaving sanding marks that will be impossiblr to get rid of.
You also need to understand that if you do not put the next coat of paint on according to your instructions (usually within 20 to 60 minutes depending upon the paint) you will need to wait anywhere from 1 to 2 days before the next coat can be applied.
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