Automotive Painting Books - Recommendation

[Levi]

I have a project in the garage that isn't going anywhere fast and I have been thinking about trying to paint it myself as a winter project.

I've been looking at books and this one seems to have good reviews.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/19...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Does anyone have experience with this book or have a recommendation for another book I should consider?

 

[JohnB]

So much info on youtube. I did some painting on my BMW this summer. Bought some cheap paint and guns. I set up a clean space in a shed. Took me 6 tries on a trunk lid before I had something that after wet sanding and polishing looks good. Mind I was painting black without a clear coat.
I am for sure better, but its a mad science. Nothing like sanding, priming, and painting then get a run or a bubble or crazy fisheyes then have to start all over again.
Start on a single panel first. Maybe get some cheaper paint to learn the technique. Then get some quality paint when your ready. You will be pulling your hair out.
Don't forget a good air filter for your lungs.

 

[Levi]

Thanks for the reply, I didn't even think of looking on youtube. I will have to spend some time searching videos. Good idea on the practice too. I have a boat and a stock trailer I could practice on as I really need the car to look good because I have had a request for pictures (when completed) for a book from a guy that has a few books out on Porches, BMW 5-Series, and Firebirds. This is just something I've wanted to try for a long time so I'm really considering giving it a go.

I am also concerned about controlling my temperature and humidity. How did you control them in your shed? I have a split garage with an insulated side and the other side is uninsulated but has a nice exhaust fan out the roof so I think between the two I can make it work.

 

[az_max]

It's all in the prep work. Color sand, guide coat, sand some more. Lather, Rinse, Repeat. I painted my first VW as well as a bunch of PC cases. Get the surface as perfect as you can before you lay down the color coats, then color sand, buff and polish. Most of the time I used single stage paint, but I tried two stage with one I sold. I'd say 75f to 90f and under 50% humidity for best results, but try to paint all the body parts in the same range.

 

[kennith]

That book series is outstanding.

Painting is more than a study project, and there are many different ways to learn, but I'd buy that as a reference.

They are written well, sensibly illustrated, and you actually learn something when reading them.

There isn't any of that "Staring Stupidly At a Picture In a Haynes Manual Effect"; turning the guide this way and that, attempting to determine just why that airplane propeller is bolted to a table lamp, and where the hell it's located inside the passenger seat cushion.

...And all you wanted to do was change a fucking fuse...

If you want a book to help you out, you could do much worse than something from that series.

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[Rugbier]

if you are doing Body Work ( i.e. filling ) top coat is the best unless you have a crate to fill. then once sanded , dust off dark paint so you can see your hi and low.

Also, you do not get fish eyes on the paint ( only dirt on the paint ) , you get fish eyes on the clear.

Humidity is not a factor as much as temp for drying.

Also , not sure what color, but a good trick is put a base of paint dusting over the panel, before you use your actual color, for example, use plain white before you start with your off white

 

[Levi]

I try not to touch a computer over the weekends so I am just getting back to this thread.

I am glad to hear that is a good book; I have picked a few different ones up off of a shelf and wasn't too impressed. Many of them seemed outdated.

I only have one small dent for body work so I have my fingers crossed that it won't be too bad. I'm going to order the book and hopefully I can find some time to get this done so I have a vert for next summer.

Thanks for the replies and input.

 

[Roverjoe]

In my opinion the most important part for painting is using the right equipment and paint. You have to have a big enough compressor, or you'll never be able to do it right. I couldn't image using anything less than a 60 gallon compressor. Mixing paint is easy. I don't think humidity is that big of a factor with modern paints. It's much easier to spray base/clear coat in my opinion because you can sand and buff the clear. I like spraying urethane clears. Your biggest enemy to a paint job is dust and dirt.

Just get yourself a gun like a Finishline 3 and start spraying some parts. You will be surprised how quickly you can spray a really nice finish with practice! Use a good quality primer/sealer and sand/prep until you are satisfied. Like any painting, prep is the most important part!