I Have a 99 civic black right now I'm doing an SI conversion on it and I would really love to change the color from Black to the SI blue. I was thinking Ide bring a it to a shop after I did the prep work like sanding and just have them paint it. But I think If possible Ide really like to get some practice painting and do it my self. My question is whats the best way to get practice. Get some fenders/ bumpers and paint them. What tips or advise do you guys have.
Thanks

 

I went to a painting school in the military and the first thing the instructor had us do was put a large piece of barrier paper on a wall and practice on that. Adjusting the pressure, spray pattern, and learning the proper distance to spray until we got comfortable.

Do that and then maybe buy a hood from any car from a junk yard, as the hood is a large surface to practice on, and once you feel comfortable with the outcome of the hood, then move on to painting your car.

 

ok were would I get paper like that. I'm a painting noob is that the paper you use to mask off the car ? Thanks for your reply. any one else with any good tips

 

thats a very good tip. people should definitely practice on a piece of paper, or even junked fender/panel, be4 doing the real thing. learn to adjust the gun settings and check for proper atomization etc...

B16Bri... it can pretty much be any type of paper... as long as its big enough (like the size of a real panel) so you can test your spray pattern and etc... get comfortable with laying out an even pattern where the paint droplets are all even sized. but dont use waxy paper. cuz then the paint will just run off.

 

practice practice practice!

 

you can get the paper from home depot, Lowes, ect. ect. It's located in the paint department and you can also use this paper to mask off the car as well...

 

Ok all great tips guys keep them comming.Thanks to everyone who responded. A few quick questions. When I practice on this piece of paper how will i know when I'm doing it correct or not. Dose anyone have a pictures of what it should and should not look like. I'm a complete noob with painting. Also while i'm learning any tips how far away it should be from the paper? move with the wrist or whole arm ? Also after I get good with the spray gun and paper what are the complete steps when practicing on the fender/ hood. Sanding, use bondo/filler if needed if there are any large dents or imperfections. Sand again spray primer sand and than clear coat/base coat.

Thanks Brian

 

Also has any of you painted a bumper or car outside. I wouldent know were else I would paint this. I have a garage but it's just big enought to fit a car inside let alone paint it. How ever I have a big driveway/yard has anyone ever painted outside. IF some how did it end up good or bad.

 

i started on a hood just a bad hood sand it down and then spray it sand it spray it.

few tips
keep a steady pace (i tap my foot to keep a pace)
keep a steady distance from your piece
dont rush
PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE

 

I got a job rebuilding big military trucks for practice

But really just start painting stuff and learn what works and what doesn't. The things to focus on are gun settings and gun (hand) control, meaning trigger pressure, travel speed, distance from workpiece, and angle. The more you practice, the more you will learn what causes runs, what causes dry spray, and also when to notice you have a problem (like bad paint or clogged gun).

Painting outside can definitely be done, but you WILL have dust and bugs in the paint without a good filtered airflow setup.

Here's a Lexus I did outside with no cover whatsoever....it's good from 10 feet

 

Shocker911 - what do you sand with a DA palm sander ? and what grit paper ?

Hawkze_2.3- To paint outside what do you mean by having a good filtered airflow setup. What does this consist of. What exactly do you mean by this.

 

i always finish out to 320 dry when i spray i like to hand sand when i do paint sense i dnt have a air compressor at home

 

Who makes a decent spray gun kit that wont break the bank. Again this is for practice and hopfully someday my car. Wont be doing this for a living so I dont need a amazing gun. I know harbor freight sells a kit for 80 would this be an ok kit ? How many guns do I need ? Just two right one for primer one for paint and clear coat. with whats size nozzels. And

Shocker911 can I use a DA sander I have a compressor here at my house or is hand sanding better.

 

What I was getting at was that when you paint outside, you don't have a good filtered airflow setup, so you will for sure get bugs and dust.

I convert my garage into a paint booth when I am doing a car I want to look 'good' without trash in the paint.

Here's my DIY complete color change thread that might help you: https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-cr-v-element-156/1st-gen-crv-diy-complete-color-change-2811044/

 

Thanks a lot for the link I'm sure It will help a lot. What I'm mainly confused about is the whole process from begining to end. And the different procedures you have to take for metal like the qtr panel/ fenders and plastics like bumpers and lips. I'm afraid I will miss a step and it wont come out as good as it should. Theres just so many from washing with soad and water and than wax removers and several sanding sessions with different grits. lol Is there any book or site or anything that has the complete run down beginign to end. Thanks again for your help.

 

im on the same boat as you b16bri....i wanna learn how to paint as well

 

I went to the bookstore one day and found "How to paint your car on a budget", and it was pretty helpful.

Also check out autobody101.com

 

Here is a great video short video sata put out to show the basics of painting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfxvlThHEJQ

 

Hey guys I was reading posts on here about paint imperfections. What exactaly are pin holes, orange peels and other imperfections commonly found with painting.

 

Alright guys i got a free hood. It's black now and I'm gonna practice on it. I figure i'll paint it blue. whats the steps what do I need. I have a DA sander do I just sand it down and prime and paint or just sand and paint. What grit sand paper. I know it's been a lot of questions but I thank all who replyed.

 

I would DA sand it and finish up with hand sanding around the edges, then clean and prime it. Then you can dust it with a guide coat and block sand, then use some filler to smooth out low areas, and then prime again. Now you are ready to clean and paint

(that was a super short run down, haha)

 

What kind of grit should I use. on the DA and while block sanding.Thanks again

 

Depends on what you are trying to do....removing layers? de-glossing? smoothing orange peel? etc...

 

For practicing, back in school we used a big dry erase board and colored water. if you do it right the water shouldnt run and it should be evenly coated all across the board. And its easy to tell if you messed up and a big plus... your not waistin paint and money!! lol

As for da'ing the hood, if its a good hood, like no dents or nothing, just use 1000 grit on the da to slightly roughen it so the primer will stick to it. You have to use primer cause the paint wont stick without it.

 

The hood now is black and pretty warn out paint. It's pretty faded. However I have to recheck but it seems like theres no dents or imperections. Right now all I plan on doing is stripping the paint off priming it and repaint a new color for practice and than just do it all over again untill I feel comforable. And If priming isn't necessary I will skip that step and just sand down and repaint. But if primes needed I will prime it first.