Hey guys...I've read alot and searched alot...so don't be rude and say hit the search button...its very difficult sometimes to find the EXACT answer you need by searching. I've also been on autobody101.com for some great info.

Anyways...I have a 97 black civic sedan (turbo k24/k20 project car) that I am puttin the 99-00 front end on and painting the whole car laguna seca blue. My question is...do I need to completely strip the old paint with chemicals, then primer, and paint...or can I just use a sanding block and sand the car with various grits and then primer and color?

Any other advice is appreciated...I plan on doing this in a paint booth I will rent out with an OK gun...but if they guy wont let me rent Im going to make a makeshift booth with PVC pipe and 1 mil poly plastic on my basketball court...I'm not looking for perfection...but I am looking for a nice outcome.

 

Goodluck.

 

no you do not need to strip the paint off the car. all you need to do is scuff the entire very well (so there is no gloss). then i would highly recommend useing a sealer. i myself like 2k sealer by ppg. then base your car then clear it.


things to remember
take your time
keep the gun same distance from the car
DONT WORRY about runs every1 gets them no matter how good a painter you are

 

thanks man...im not too worried about runs...i understand that to learn a trade..eventually you have to practice. If it comes out horrible guess what...I'll sand that crap down and do it again. Thanks for the advice about the sealer too

 

so are you going to paint it in the booth or make your own booth? im thinking bout making my own too and try my first paint job too...just dont know how my neighbors will react. :/

 

masking off the car correctly is very important, so dont be lazy with that...
paintjobs are 80percent prep 20 percent paint!

 

ok heres how it goes. start sanding the car with 320 assuming all the bodywork is done. Then you spray a high build primer. After the high build dries spray guide coat (black primer in aerosole can) u block it out with 220. Then you wet sand with 400 grit. After that is done you take off all the tape and paper and repaper it. Wipe it down with a wax and grease solvent. Tack it off then you can spray a sealer on it, then base it with your color and then shoot it with clear. Then your done. Sometimes people wet sand and buff but ii normally don't due to the fact the gun i spray with a very expensive guy but sprays very nice. If you decide to wet sand and buff wet sand with 1500 grit then buff. If you do that it makes one hell of a difference in apearence.

 

another thing. What kind of paint are you using? Keep the gun 6-8 inches away from the car when spraying. Stay moving and make even coats and you shouldnt have to worry about running it

 

hmm..i really don't know what kind of paint. any suggestions. my only criteria is affordable haha.

 

look for PPG shop line series...pretty cheap. and its PPG i like PPG myself i only use PPG and i will be PPG certified really soon

 

Yep i agree get ppg shop line paint. Its cheaper but if you get good clear it will look like a million bucks. Its the same kind of paint they use in body shops.

 

jeez...this place is like a huge online DIY network. I love it. thanks guys!