I have a light blue civic hatch and its paint has seen better days (my avatar is from 2 years ago, then paint has gone through a lot). I plan on doing a good paintjob maybe sometime in the future but for the time being flat black isn't so bad. It isn't so bad when it's done well, and has a consistant finish. I've seen blotchy ones that look soooo bad, but a well done flat black isn't the worst looking thing. So what I need to know is:

01. What paint to use for flast black prime (to stand up to cold and snow)
02. What methods to use in order to get a good finish.

I also need to know what I should do for little tiny rust flecks on the finish. What sandpaper/filler should I use. And again any good tips or methods would be appreciated. And lastly I have the black bumpers. How should those be painted... I suppose I have to sand them but what sandpaper, with what etc.

Thanks to anyone who can help

P.S - I don't care if you think flat black is a bad idea. If you think it's a bad idea then don't do it to your car. I'm going to.

 

i just did this this week, your results may vary:

(i have a large (75 gallon) air compressor, and some air tools.)

i slapped an 80 grit sanding disc on the random orbital sander and went over the whole car, paying special attention to the few areas that had scratches or rust.

followed the 80 grit with 150, and then 400.

went to Lowes, bought a quart of "Rustoleum Professional" flat black and a can of acetone.

washed car.

masked car.

mixed paint with 15% acetone, poured in spray gun, sprayed car.

et voila, $14 paint job.

looks pretty good. for $14.

as for the bumpers, i have no idea. my car had black bumpers from the factory.

anywhere you have rust (specs and scratches only) you have two options:

one, take the panel down to bare metal in that area and sand off all the rust. that's what i did. but, as i said, i have an air orbital sander.

two, remove any scale and paint around the rust and use a rust converter. that's a type of "paint" that will chemically change the rust into a sandable, paintable "plastic primer." i've used that a lot in the past, but it tends to be rather expensive.

 

Just remember that primer doesn't repel water like a clear coat, and any grease on it is harder to get off.

 

that's why you use flat black paint, not primer.

primer actually has no protective qualities at all; it's merely there to promote adhesion of the actual paint and provide an even surface (for a smooth final finish).

edit: here's the paint i used - http://www.rustoleum.com/Produ...SBL=1

 

you CAN use clearcoat on flat black paint.
Gives you a real nice semi glossy-ish but less so look.
Makes cleaning the car one helluvalot easier.

 

Before u spray paint on to the car let the cans sit in a bucket of hot water for a while...it helps the paint to go on even

 

buy some ppg epoxy primer. unlike regular primers, it WILL stand up to the elements and isnt porous like reg. primer so it doesnt soak up water. i was into mini trucks before i bought a honda. this is what everyone uses when u see a mini truck thats primed out.. it does cost more than reg. primer but this is what its made for. dont use something like rustoleum that isnt designed for cars. it also comes in grey, white, green, blue(very light like your stock color), black, and maybe red and yellow. you'll be much better off with a good epoxy primer.

 

oh yeah i'll be sprayin some on my hatch pretty soon also