Suction guns have the paint container underneath the spray nozzle and air pressure draws it up and into the discharge nozzle. By 15 he had painted his first car, and by 19 he ran his own successful auto body and paint shop. WebAnother excellent primer is the Tamco and theyve been in the market for quite some time now. Speaking of resin, check with your body manufacturer to see if it uses tooling resin or general-purpose resin in the molds. Many painters use urethane paints because they are durable and meet volatile organic compounds (VOC) rules. It can also be used as a sealant or a pre-coat. After all, the performance, reliability, and longevity of your Chevy bigblock depend on it. 1953 to 1957 usually needs the entire body gel coated. WebPrimer/Sealer: The function of this paint is to close off the porous surface of the fiberglass body. Fiberglass Fillers: These are used during the paint preparation process, but you also need to use them to fill small nicks and bubbles that appear during the priming process. Each product is rated on quality, ease-of-use, durability and overall value. We also heard that a filling primer can do the trick. That means fiberglass mats were laid on top of the gelcoat in the molds, which ensures uniform panel thickness no matter which way the panels bend or crease. Corvette Fiberglass Mat. Maintaining your car's paint finish is essential to keep it looking great. It can be applied on already rusty surfaces and a top coat can be applied over it while the primer is still wet. Start and finish with one system, like PPGs Global System, for best results. The seams are smooth and the body gaps are even on all sides. Poly primer is great for using over bare fiberglass and epoxy. The fact that your engine [Click here to read more], It is a good idea to understand the basics of your Muncie 4-speed before you start rebuilding the transmission. But having a sparkling Shark body on top of sound mechanicals makes you want to keep pampering your baby for a long time. Lets start with the filler. (7%). The clearcoat protects the paint from the suns UV rays. Once youre satisfied with the fit, youll need to clean the body thoroughly to remove any surface contaminants like grease or mold releases. It does a great job cleaning but the thinner is toxic, so wear gloves when handling it. Repairs such as these should always be sanded and blocked smooth before laying down your first coat of primer. The protective layer adds durability to the fiberglass, and the black rubbery material looks just fine in the fender wells. This 1/2 x 3 Fiberglass Mat Roller will help alleviate such problems & produce professional results. Tom is applying the new basecoat Dark Claret paint. 04. Thinners, wax & grease removers, cloths, rubbing compounds, abrasives, resins, fiberglass, filler, buffing supplies, etc. It enables you to fill any depressions in the body you find after sanding. Safety Glasses: Anytime you are grinding or sanding with a power unit you need to protect your eyes with safety glasses. 2. Here are a couple key qualities to help you sort them out. SprayMax 2K Activated Epoxy Primer : Best For Small Jobs. Remember that fiberglass flexes and stretches. Again, Eckler makes the best gel coat for the job. Trimming the panels is not difficult and can be done with a grinding disc or cutoff wheel. The downdraft, heated paint booth is in the background. For especially large objects, such as. It can be applied on already rusty surfaces and a top coat can be applied over it while the primer is still wet. The heat will also tighten up the glass, which can affect panel fit, so you dont want to do any trimming or shimming of panels when you assemble the body at this stage. Before going through the painting process lets talk about the painting tools, equipment, and supplies used to correctly paint a car. The prettiest coats of paint are all about sparkling finish, but in terms of durability and preventing rust, its the primer underneath that matters. Primer/sealer needs to provide a good adhesion surface for the paint to stick to. With fiberglass, however, the procedures before priming are quite different, because the material is so very different. It helps eliminate the typical washboard surfaces that are common on Corvette fiberglass panels. One of the great things about fiberglass is the gelcoat finish, which acts like an initial guide coat. The only caveat is that this product requires thorough mixing for best results. The spray gun should be kept around 12 inches above the surface and level with contours of the body. Expert techs Austin and Pat talk about some of the race car body parts we have to offer and the aerodynamic benefits they can add to your modified. Wear eye protection, a mask so you dont inhale the glass dust, and cover your skin with long pants, sleeves, and gloves, or youll be itching for days to come. Could anyone give me some recommendations which would be better to use? Corvette Fiberglass Roller. If you applied spray paint and get a chip, spray some paint onto a tray to make a puddle, then apply the paint from the puddle with a small paintbrush. Be sure to protect yourself, fiberglass is not something you want in or on your body. Use a basic halogen work light from the discount tool store and place it inside the fender on the frame rail to help it stay warm and set. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Auto body and paint expert, Author and Instructor. This helps the body shop management stay within the budget agreed upon with the customer at the beginning of the job. Why New Vehicles Should Have Apple CarPlay Or Android Auto, How To Prepare Your Vehicle For A Road Trip. Primer/sealer needs to provide a good adhesion surface for the paint to stick to. {{ isSummaryShown ? A good primer/sealer protects the Corvette body against any adverse impact the new paint might have on the panels. Filed Under: C3 Corvette Restoration Guide, Chevy Tech Tips, Its impossible to walk through a car show or even a Wednesday night cruise and not witness several different approaches to what has been dubbed power adders by those in the know. Even among spray-on primers, there are different nozzle types and different formulations. Remember, you can always follow the recommended procedure from your local auto body supplier. Eliminating air bubbles & excess resin are the key elements in assuring a strong, durable repair. Hand Cleaner: Most auto supply stores sell good, industrial hand cleaners in tubs. If you use anything harsh or abrasive, the paint may get scratched. Rust-Oleum is a famous name in corrosion protection, and for very basic jobs, the companys automotive 2-in-1 filler and sandable primer provides a very low cost alternative to more conventional epoxy primers. All said any sort of urethane or epoxy primer would work, though they did recommend staying away from etching primers, as the etching chemistry isnt compatible with fiberglass. A good primer/sealer protects the Corvette body against any adverse impact the new paint might have on the panels. A special spray nozzle provides for a wider pattern than most cans, to allow for spray-gun results. Youll want to sand the part until the gelcoat is slightly dull in order to give it enough tooth to hold the primer. Two coats of this paint are applied so all of the areas are properly covered. I cannot emphasize this point enough: Do your homework, get recommendations, and call the better business bureau to see if the shop you selected has had any complaints. Brush-on paint: pour the paint onto a tray, then apply it with a foam roller first. The only caveat is that this product requires, Works on a variety of surfaces (steel, wood, fiberglass, aluminum and plastic), Sprayer must be cleaned immediately after use, Thin consistency may mean using more to coat a surface, Some users say it goes on thicker than most; requires finesse in application, Thickness can clog spray guns unless theyre cleaned immediately and thoroughly, Users report it can separate and thicken after storage, Spray-can convenience with spray-gun results, Pressure build-up means the can shouldnt be stored in a hot place, Protecting a rust-free surface and keeping it that way is the intended use of epoxy primers. Dont just hang the doors and assume everything else will fit, Jenkins said. Wet sanding epoxy primer is usually the best way to prep it because epoxy has a tendency to clog paper when sanded dry. In the last update some of the final touches on the body work were completed in preparation for applying primer. 04. If you love this video, check out the LearnAutoBodyAndPaint VIP Program to get over 100 hours of training videos, e-reads and bonuses! Coming from a body manufacturer, thats remarkably candid. To illustrate the differences in the three most common types of machine shops you will [Click here to read more], Boosting horsepower and performance driving inherently creates additional heat in all of the underhood systems that require lubricants and coolant. Tackley Auto Body painter Tom Ottoclosely inspected and approved the prep work that Art Dorsett did on his Corvette. This is good stuff too. Block that down & put 3 more coats of K36 sand 2nd time. How many coats of epoxy primer do I need? Any major repairs or alterations usually require additional procedures to achieve professional results. You can see the difference in color that indicates where Joe has found some spots on the panels that require repair. A good primer/sealer protects the Corvette body against any adverse impact the new paint might have on the panels. We go over tips for Dents, Guide Coats, Sanding, and more for your hot rod or other classic body restoration project. I use a single stage(DCC) for a non metallic paint. Polyester primer is a very thick two-part product and is used when theres a good deal of bodywork. I'm planning on beginning the priming process on my T bucket body this weekend, and need advice on what the sequence of primers should be. After the primer has dried Tom fills and finishes any small imperfections that might appear before the final basecoat/clearcoat paint is applied. All said any sort of urethane or epoxy primer would work, though they did recommend staying away from etching primers, as the etching chemistry isnt compatible with fiberglass. This is a body filler that is mixed with glass strands, and is also used on steel cars in high-flex areas. Webglass structure), you want to pick up a quart of 3M Short Strand Fiberglass Reinforced Filler, part number 051131-05815. SprayMax 2K Activated Epoxy Primer is inexpensive, premixed and ready to use. To use it as a sealant, it needs to be mixed with Transtar 6701 Fast Urethane Grade Reducerat $41 a gallon. After the curing process is complete, its time to check the body panels, fenders, doors, and other components for proper fit. A good primer/sealer protects the Corvette body against any adverse impact the new paint might have on the panels. The primer should be wet sanded with 400 grit paper or finer in order to mate with the top coats being used. The primer used should be compatible with the top coats that youre using. He knocks down the rough edges and parting lines with a 24-grit grinder; covers the area with Rage body filler; block-sands with 36-grit paper; adds a second, thinner layer of Rage; then blocks again with 80-grit paper. I serve as vice president of the Western Automotive Journalists, a professional group for automotive writers based in San Francisco, and have no relation to McKeel Hagerty of Hagerty Classic Insurance, who is younger, better looking and wealthier. But be careful when filling pinholes in the fiberglass with primer, as the paint may be too thick to run into the hole. This helps to eliminate drips and sags in the paint. Check out Zoolaa and Tamco HP-5310 D.T.M. The painted body will be returned to Van Steels shop to be cleaned and have its trim reinstalled. You can find most of the supplies online and in hardware stores. Plan on $1200-1800 in materials. 1958 to 1962 Corvettes may be gel coated where necessary. Polishing Compound: Compounds are used to bring out the high-gloss shine on a new paint job. Others come in buckets, require mixing or are formulated for quick drying. This 1/2 x 3 Fiberglass Mat Roller will help alleviate such problems & produce professional results. They should be the type that dries quickly, is thick enough to fill minor defects on the body, and is easily sanded. Wash the car again to remove any stray dirt. Whether you paint your car yourself or have a shop do the work, its a good idea to be familiar with the various tools of the trade. Sandpaper: Preparing your car for paint and painting your car require a large amount of sandpaper. Just take care to cure, fit, and sand the raw panels properly, and youll have a finish you can be proud of. Some parts may fit better than others. It is sprayed in one long continuous pattern to the end of the panel then moved up 3 inches and sprayed back the other way until the car is completely covered. This coat shows any imperfections on the body when you use your board to sand the surface. If there are any gaps, the paint may seep underneath and give you a fuzzy line. High Build Grey Primer, which costs $121.95. However, I used chemical stripper designed for fiberglass and did Avoid cleaning like this since it can cause imperfections in the paint down the road. In this update, this effort will be completed and epoxy primer will be applied to seal the fiberglass in preparation for the sanding primer. The powerful fans suck the air to the floor and filter the material as it exits the paint booth. Check out Zoolaa and Tamco HP-5310 D.T.M. Once the car has cooled the primer/sealer is applied. WebThe final step is to gel coat the Corvette. Sanding blocks can be refilled with new paper and used with either dry or wet sanding material. The hardened coat is easy to sand and paint over. It should now be ready for the top coat. Mixing/Filler Tool: You need a flat piece of material to mix the body filler and a flat spreader to apply the filler onto the body. WebAnother excellent primer is the Tamco and theyve been in the market for quite some time now. Check the label on the bucket or can of paint to find out if you need a primer and topcoat. Scotchbrite Pad: These are available in different grits; red is the most common color to use to clean various trim parts. You can use shims to properly gap the fenders or fit the doors. Check out Zoolaa and Tamco HP-5310 D.T.M. Some epoxy primers are even usable on other surfaces such as fiberglass, wood and plastic. This formulation offers top-notch salt spray resistance. It should now be ready for the top coat. This is accomplished by using a sponge applicator to apply the dry coat that is part of the 3M Dry Guide Coat product. Theres action and reaction, so be careful. The analysis and opinions are our own. He will recheck to make sure the paper and tape is secure and has not received any damage from rips or moisture. Speedokote Epoxy Fast Dry 2.1 : Quickest Drying. The form is usually placed somewhere on the car where it is visible to the customer and technician. Use wet paper towels and wipe the panel down in small sections at a time. Like most of the primers on this list it works on multiple surfaces including wood and fiberglass, and itll dry in just 10 minutes. The exact paints you use will depend on the object you are painting and its intended purpose, be it a boat, bathtub, chair, or door. Primer/Sealer: The function of this paint is to close off the porous surface of the fiberglass body. Its porous and may trap water that will later blister the paint. Block that down & put 3 more coats of K36 sand 2nd time. However, I used chemical stripper designed for fiberglass and did If youre building a street car, dont buy a race car body, and vice versa. Set the topcoat aside for later. However, if the fit is way off, you may need to cut the panel in half and add a fiberglass section to the middle. You knowapplying just the right amount of filler, blocking a guidecoat to check for low spots, that sort of thing. October 24, 2016 8764 Views. Follow label directions and use judgement as to whether you need additional coats of primer. There are a couple of ways to fix a part thats too small. Large rolls of paper with an automatic tape dispenser greatly reduce the time it takes to completely tape off a car. Paint supply companies offer a wide range of buffing wheels and glazes to maximize the final shine on a new paint job. Sanding Block: A small, flexible, rubber sanding block has slots in both ends. Cool. The Evercoat Kitty Hair Long Strand Fiberglass Reinforced Body Filler. If the color is being changed, it might be a good idea to have the doors removed and paint jambs and doors separately. So Compressors come in 120- or 220-volt power requirements. That could make work quicker, but it also makes the coat thinner which may require additional applications. It can be reduced down 25% with DT870 Reducer to provide a thin, moisture-proof, sealing layer that gives you an excellent base to start working on. A warning about sanding the gelcoat: use caution to prevent sanding all the way through the gelcoat layer, which can open up pinholes in the fiberglass that can later show through the paint. This is good stuff too. Sometimes they will need a little help and if you didnt assemble the parts before curing, do so before sanding and priming. His main targets are the rough areas on the backside of the hood and trunk lid. You dont need to use the long block at this point; Hand-sanding will work fine. Successfully diagnosing transmission problems is directly related to how well you understand how this transmission works. Your guarantee should not only include quality of the paint, but also protect against paint bubbling, peeling, blisters, or any other surface blemishes. Learn how to replace the hinges on your vehicle. Speedokote Epoxy Fast Dry 2.1 : Quickest Drying. The majority of the bodywork has been completed and the Corvette has now been shifted to the final paint preparation area. During the restoration of the Corvette body, the more sun the better. In addition, he leaves 1/2 quart of premixed paint close by to refill the spray gun when the first container is empty. Eliminating air bubbles & excess resin are the key elements in assuring a strong, durable repair. One fragment that flies into your eye can cause serious injury. It is now time to begin putting masking tape and paper on all of the areas that are not to be painted. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Kapalini C6(05-13 )Corvette Black Primer Fiberglass Side Skirts & Flaps W/HDWR at the best online prices at eBay! It could be anywhere from a few hours to several days. Corvette Fiberglass Mats are available in 50 x 1 yard and 50 x 3 yards. Use a basic halogen work light from the discount tool store and place it inside the fender on the frame rail to help it stay warm and set. Learn about classic car bodywork from an expert. Not only do you need to pay attention to exactly how much material youre addingso the part doesnt get too bigbut you also have to make sure the entire panel retains its shape. Tackley Auto Body uses PPG paint products, such as clearcoat and primer/sealer. The same adhesive properties that make it bind to metal also help it bind to coats of paint that you will apply later. I use a single stage(DCC) for a non metallic paint. As much curing in the sun as possible is best. Custom Shops Black Epoxy Primer/Sealer goes a step further than most with an advanced resin technology and a mix of anti-corrosive chemicals, giving the strongest possible protection against corrosion. 2. Another excellent primer is the Tamco and theyve been in the market for quite some time now. Learn more Painting fiberglass is tricky because the surface is smooth. If your primer is not coming out evenly, apply it in short bursts rather than a single, sweeping, side-to-side motion. Kitty Hair is another good stuff. 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