My dad and I have never painted, but always wanted to learn. We both currently have bumpers that need painting and we figured this would be a good time to learn. I have civic bumpers and he has Fit bumpers. He is painting in order to repair scratches and I am painting to match my factory paint.

We need to purchase a gun and paint in California. This is where I need help. Times are tough and we are on a budget. If we get a harbor freight gravity-feed gun, will this be sufficient? Are there any guns you guys would recommend on a budget?

Also, I've heard things about California not selling oil-based paint anymore and everything being water-based now. Is this true? If so, what does this mean for my dad and I? Do we need to buy a specific gun and get specific paint?


Thank you in advance, I hope someone is able to provide the right info for me.

 

It's not oil based paint that is no longer sold, it's any solvent-"borne" paint. Waterborne basecoat has been the norm in California for quite some time now and to the best of my knowledge they don't allow any solvent basecoat to be sold at all. I am very familiar with the east coast's laws regarding the waterborne switch since I had to go through it myself, but as for Cali's laws I have no idea. You may or may not be able to still buy solvent basecoat in small quantities.

Basically, for the home 'paint shop', you want to avoid using waterborne basecoat like the plague unless you have a very high quality oil and water separator to be used in conjunction with a high output compressor. Waterborne basecoat is very sensitive to both oil and water in the air supply and requires near perfect air. It is also very unforgiving of mistakes. You must have significant automotive painting experience in order to learn to spray it well enough to match a color. Most painters who are still using solvent would probably ruin a job using water if they did not have detailed training from the manufacturer.

As for the spray equipment, you will probably have a tough time spraying waterborne paint with a cheap gun. There's lots of specific reasons why, but just leave it at 'you'll probably have issues'.

Waterborne paint is a gigantic headache. It's a tough transition even for a well established paint shop. Find solvent basecoat if at all possible. For tips on how to spray it and how to prep, etc. just search on here (I've responded to many questions as have some others who are in the industry) or just Google for a while and read some 'autobody 101' types of articles.

 

Thanks for the detailed reply. I've read a few of your other posts and they are very helpful. I appreciate it.

I guess I now have to find out whether or not I can still buy solvent borne paint for a few bumpers. If I just ask a shop if they sell solvent borne paint, will they know what I mean? Where should I try looking?

Also, you said solvent basecoat. Just so I understand correctly.. I will be applying a primer, and then a basecoat, and then a clearcoat. Correct? No other coats that I am missing?

If I am able to find solvent borne paint, what budget gun would you suggest?

Would this gun from harbor freight be sufficient?:
http://www.harborfreight.com/profess...kit-94572.html

 

No problem, glad to help. I'm always interested in helping someone learn the correct way to do paint or body work. Lots of people (here on H-T especially) seem to be interested in paint and body work, but all many of them seem to be interested in is doing it as cheap/quick/ghetto as possible. I hate that... a lot.

Well you wouldn't normally go to a body shop to buy supplies. You need a supplier/jobber. Finishmaster is very good, and I see they have tons of locations in California. (http://www.finishmaster.com/locations.cfm) Check that out and see if there are any near you. Stop in and speak to someone if at all possible.

Ask questions first and see what your options are. Tell them exactly what you plan on doing and see what they say. Paint suppliers have to be on top of all the local regulations to cover their customers' asses as well as their own so they should know all about the laws regarding solvent sales and use. To be honest, they might tell you flat out that they won't sell you any paint for garage use. It's worth asking though to get a good feeling of what you can and can't do in your area.

Very quick rundown of the paint process:

1.) Body work: your repairs if necessary

2.) Primer: 2-4 thick coats over the bodywork and heavy scratches. Only use *2K catalyzed* surface primer... not rattle can primer

3.) Block: sand the primer with a rigid sanding block using around 320 grit paper.

4.) Clean: blow off surface, wipe with wax and grease remover, and then tack rag the surface

5.) Sealer: over everything that is to be painted (to even out color underneath basecoat.. 'seals' everything together and gives a good starting surface for the topcoats) However, it's not necessary to seal over areas that have had no body work or primer. For example: You make a repair in the center of a bumper but the sides need nothing.. you scuff everything but only seal the center over the primer. You then only basecoat a little past the sealer in the center. That's a "blend".

6.) Basecoat: color (this is solvent vs. water)

7.) Clear coat: Yeah it's.. um.. clear. lol


The only thing that is truly waterborne is basecoat. Part of the reason it's such a joke to switch to water is because the rest of the products are all still solvent based. Some clears (especially those sold in Cali) are going to be sold as "Low V.O.C." clears (..think 'emissions' regulations for cars). Basically it's tree-hugger word game crap... it's all still solvent based anyway.


Check out this thread where I talked about a decent beginner or hobbyist setup:
https://honda-tech.com/forums/paint-body-84/lets-talk-about-paint-guns-2856164/

A Harbor Freight gun will work, I see no reason why that gun wouldn't help you lay down a nice finish. The way I look at it, 'buy once.. cry once'. Maybe a $150-$200 gun seems like a lot to just use on a few projects but it may save you a lot of trouble in the long run to just go with a higher quality tool.

 

I've got a buddy in california and he had nothing but problems with water-based paint. He couldn't find solvent based paint in his area but was able to buy it online from the guys: custom car paint. They make a special solvent version for california. I use their normal solvent stuff and it works well.

 

DC2.2 GSR: Thanks a lot for all of the help. I appreciate it. I'll have to look into the paint issue and then come back with more questions.

DEL SOL-DIER: Thanks for the link, man. That really sucks to hear. I hope I can find some in my area.