Experimenting with Spray Paint

[lockdoc]

IMO the stripes are a result of two things. One, and not really the main one, is the inexperience of painting with a can. The second and main reason is BECAUSE you are using a can. The mixture in most canned paint along with the narrow spray pattern makes it almost impossible to paint large areas. It just dries too fast. The over spray or outer edge of the paint spray is partially dry by the time it hits the surface leaving a duller finish. The paint needs to stay wet as you are painting for the nice glossy finish. If you apply enough coats you can wet sand and buff it and it should look nice. You can wet sand it within hours most of the time since it is usually "quick drying".

[6spd_monte]

I allowed the paint to cure, then I sanded it with a green scotch brite pad and I applied two more coats. I sanded between each coat and after the last one was dry and I changed my spraying technique. I sprayed in a front-back motion instead of left-right, and I increased the distance between the can and the panel, and I moved the can a little bit faster. This looks better, but I can still see some slight stripes in it. Perhaps some wet sanding will clean it up more, I'll post another picture after that, but this is good enough for now.

[LaGrasta]

James,
How are you ? I gotta tell you, just cleaning it up (first pic) was impressive. That really brought back the color along with some cool character too. I would have been interested in just doing the whole car that way, then laying some wax over it.
If you decide you'd like someone with an actual spray gun go over it, let me know. I have a good friend Don that is an out of work auto body teacher that paints cars on the side cheap, cheap, cheap. He is often at Fuddruckers, I can introduce you two.

[LaGrasta]

Some links I've saved...

http://www.rickwrench.com/index79master ... paint.html
http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Poo ... nt-your-c/
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/show ... a&t=160907
http://www.tamparacing.com/forums/drift ... paint.html
http://carpainting.wetpaint.com/page/Ro ... hane+Paint
http://www.yachtpaint.com/usa/diy/default.aspx

I know a few of these links, very interesting. Rick is actually a friend of mine, we both have falcons. Rolling on the paint, then sanding to a high gloss is fantastic. It works so well, people are amazed. When you think of it, even people with a spray gun do the same, just a bit less sanding.