learning to paint

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » June 22, 2011, 6:49 pm

Finally got some rain here in Houston today and it not only cooled down Paradise (the shop) but knocked down a lot of dust and crap in the air.
As a result, I spent the entire day working on parts that need to be painted.
I'm a pretty good body man, but I am NOT a painter. I want to be but I'm not...... yet.
So after shooting two different kinds of primer and experimentation with the guns, air pressure, patterns, technique and the like, I've decided that despite the fact that some people are really artists with a paint gun, unless you own a Ferrari, painting for most of us is like welding.
Think P-cubed.
Preparation, preparation, preparation.
Patience, patience, patience.
Practice, practice, practice.
Anyway, if tomorrow is even remotely acceptable weather wise, I'm going to shoot color on my inner fenders----- and if they turn out, the bumper, splash pan, and the grill header too.
Who knows, I might even try the tailgate...
If it turns out acceptable, I'll take pictures and post them.
If it turns out to be crap, I'll politely keep my trap shut and try again.
Max and Mikey, you are my heros.
Now, hold my beer; I'm going in......

LM14 · Post by **LM14** » June 22, 2011, 7:02 pm

Think P-cubed.
Preparation, preparation, preparation.
Patience, patience, patience.
Practice, practice, practice.

That's only "P to the third power".

You forgot to add:
Perfection, perfection, perfection

We got faith in you! We're believers!

Go forth and "P" like you never "P'd" before!

SPark

Hookedtrout · Post by **Hookedtrout** » June 22, 2011, 7:08 pm

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » June 22, 2011, 7:15 pm

LM.
P cubed is 9.

Thus:
Preparation, preparation, preparation.
Patience, patience, patience.
Practice, practice, practice.
Perfection is not in my vocabulary, and besides, if I add that it screws up my alliteration.
ROTFLMAO

ezernut9mm · Post by **ezernut9mm** » June 22, 2011, 8:50 pm

good luck skip. we're all pulling for ya!

Hookedtrout · Post by **Hookedtrout** » June 22, 2011, 9:08 pm

As soon as you get all the bugs worked out I'll be asking you how to do it as I'll be doing the same soon, at least I hope it's soon.

LM14 · Post by **LM14** » June 22, 2011, 10:06 pm

I am corrected. Don't know where I was at. Maybe after I retire in a couple years, I'll go back to college and pay attention this time!

I still have faith in your ability to get a nice paint job, even if my math skills went out the window sometime in the last 32 years since school!

SPark

Alan Mclennan · Post by **Alan Mclennan** » June 22, 2011, 10:20 pm

Uncle, you need to read my second foot note phrase!

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm" Sir Winston Churchill.

I think we all fit this in some way!

Truckrat · Post by **Truckrat** » June 23, 2011, 6:44 am

Skip, spraying paint is not something you learn overnight, but with a lot of practice and patience.
But prep is 90% of any paintjob. Got any extra hoods, doors or fenders around.
Load your gun and practice on them. Don't know what you are using to spray with whether it is a
gravity feed or siphon gun, but just play around with it and see what works best.
I use HVLP guns at work which use low pressure.
What ever it is you are spraying, wear breathing protection.
With the Isocyanates in some paints the effects can be deadly.
Take care of yourself buddy.
TR

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » June 23, 2011, 9:11 am

Gary. I got all the safety stuff and I understand about the new paint hazards.
What I need is practice. That's why I'm doing the inner fenders first.
I have a pretty good idea "what" needs to be done, I just have to be able to "do" what needs to be done.
Thanks for the good thoughts.
U@ss

prost66 · Post by **prost66** » June 23, 2011, 5:54 pm

Skip.I do and have done just about everything to vehicles over the years.But I don't paint. One of my best freinds is a fabulous painter,He had me try to paint twice.I do alright at first and I gradual get faster and faster and get a big run, I have to sand out.I will not paint!!!! I get runs with spray cans!!I hate to do things over twice!! Best of luck,I have learned to leave it to a Painter. Merle

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » June 23, 2011, 6:33 pm

Merle.
Yes on all of the above. But I really want to give it a shot. I painted all my model airplanes with rattle cans for years and they turned out pretty good. Max and Mikey have given me lots of good advice, and I think I can do it.
Anyway, I'm only going to paint the small parts, so if I do screw it up, its not to bad to fix.
Got sidetracked today so I'll take another shot at it tomorrow.
But I won't do the body. I plan to leave that to professionals.
I've already learned my lesson on two things.
Automatic transmissions and windshields.
Some things ARE better left to professionals....

Rusted64 · Post by **Rusted64** » June 23, 2011, 9:12 pm

Here there Skip.

I have to agree with all your point about paint. I painted a chopper I built in 2001 and I called it an 8 or 80 paint job. Looked good from 8 feet or 80 mph.

Looking forward to your results.

Good luck

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » June 24, 2011, 9:52 pm

Well, (a deep subject for a very shallow mind), I took the plunge today and actually shot some color.
The results are mixed.
It didn't turn out exactly as I had it planned.
It didn't turn out nearly as bad as I expected.
There will be some remediation required.
I'm semi-pleased with the results because the parts aren't something where the flaws will show up without close inspection.
Next time, I need an adult beverage before I start that shit, and I need more practice.
Lots more practice.
But I can do this.
Max, the directions really helped. Thanks.
Anyway, I'm a semi-happy camper.
DILLIGAF, ya'll.

U@ss

Alan Mclennan · Post by **Alan Mclennan** » June 24, 2011, 9:54 pm

DILLIGAF<

betfm · Post by **betfm** » June 25, 2011, 11:29 am

Uncle Skip wrote: Next time, I need an adult beverage before I start that shit, and I need more practice.
Lots more practice

DILLIGAF, ya'll.
U@ss

I have painted a lot of cars/vehicles in my time as a hobby, some were show winners, some were not.
Based upon 50 years of experience doing bodywork/painting, adult beverages are the key, BUT they have to be used in the correct proportions.
A couple to get started then 2 or 3 more during the actual process and then SEVERAL more after the deed is completed while you admire your work and pat yourself on the back.

64 f100 · Post by **64 f100** » June 28, 2011, 9:28 am

Skip all this reminds me of a motorcycle tank I painted several years ago. I had a bad habit and still do, of loading the paint fast and heavy. I then end up with runs. Anyway, I was painting a 750 honda tank and after redoing it three times and it still did not come out right. I drop kicked it accross the garage and went and got another tank and sprayed it once, perfect paint job. I have since figured out what the problem was, that tank was cursed by paint demons.

I hadn't done much in the way of painting for several years, untill I started on the 64. I had bought and saved a new DeVilbiss spray gun many years ago when I could afford it, as I had been spraying with a Monkey Wards job I had bought and used for several years. As I discovered, these new paints work better with the hvlp guns so I ended up buying one of those. As things turn out, there is always another fly in th eointment. I have a 1.5 nozzle in my gun and it doesn't do well with priner. Not big enough, but I went on using it as is. Finally the other day, I decided to do sojmething about the problem. As usual, you live and learn. I had bought an Optima gun and paid 200$ for it, now the price for the new 2.0 nozzle is 200$. So now, I have spent another fifty over that to buy a used devilbiss hvlp. Painting is a never ending liearning process, and not for the faint of hearted. Good luck Skip.

Rich

BigMike · Post by **BigMike** » June 28, 2011, 9:36 am

I bought a $100 HPLV gun at Home Depot when I painted the interior of my '65. I know the principals of painting and took my time. The pot life of the paint was always in the back of my head as I used an acrylic enamel. The interior turned out great. Of course, 90% of what I painted is covered but still.

I'll paint the fuel tank and some other some parts next week. I have to fix the tiny cracks in the steering wheel and paint that as well. This Fall I'm thinking of removing the doors and painting the door jambs.

Keep at it Skip. I'm from the school of non-perfection myself. Most people can't see the defects that you know are there.

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » June 28, 2011, 9:50 am

Trust me Mike.
This group has a very sharp eye and will point out flaws at every chance. For your own good of course.

But that's not a bad thing.
They keep raising the bar on craftsmanship and keep you honest.
That's how we all get better.
Thanks for all the encouragement everybody.
I'll be back at it when the temp drops below 105 outside.

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » June 28, 2011, 3:17 pm

Got them done and pre-mounted. Actually, they turned out pretty good for a rank amature.
[albumimg]9168[/albumimg]
[albumimg]9167[/albumimg]
[albumimg]9166[/albumimg]
Inner fenders = progress on the rewiring project. Had to get them done so I can route the new wires.
I'm going to scuff and prime the fenders next and then put them back on the truck.

learning to paint

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