http://www.tcpglobal.com/kustomshop/ksflatz.aspx


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First off if you want it to look good its all in the prep, I'm sure everyone will tell you that. Spend lots of time getting it sanded, filled and masked off.

As far as body filler goes I would avoid using the "bondo" brand of anything. It is really hard to sand off and clogs up the paper making you go through lots of it. It also shrinks a lot over time and starts to crack which ends up sucking after you've spent all that time painting to only have to do it all over again. I use Evercoat rage gold filler and I love it. Once I get the filler blocked down with 80, 120, 220, 320 I spread a coat of PPG spot filler over the top of that to fill in some of the small imperfections like small bubble holes. Block that out with 320 and hit it with 3 coats of primer and sand it down with 400.

I'd probably sand off all the can stuff wipe it down with wax and grease remover and hit the whole thing with primer and then block that out with 400. It is really easy to see where you have low spots if you use a 10 or 12 inch block.

After you get that part all done wipe it all off again with wax and grease remover and start to spray on the color.
Paint the whole thing at the same time, if you do it in multiple sessions you'll end up with slightly different colors on the car. I paint all my stuff in my garage and don't have any problems with dirt and dust getting into the paint. Make sure you cover anything you don't want to have overspray on because it gets everywhere and make sure you have good ventilation. I have two windows in mine that I open and put those HVAC filters over the screens so it keeps dust out. On the other side I have a swamp cooler that blows out of the garage to get the fumes out.

Gravity feed HVLP guns are the way to go, they use a lot of air so make sure you have a big compressor that puts out quite a bit of CFM, I'd say at least 12-15 at about 90 psi. Also you'll need a pressure regulator since most guns use about 30 psi at the gun and a water separator at the end of the line where you connect your hose in. I have a paper one but I have gotten by with those bowl type deals just fine. Don't use the hose you use with your other air tools because if you oil your tools like you should you'll end up sending oil through with the paint and have it fish eye on you. Get a new hose to use only for painting.

I really like Dupont paint but it's kind of pricy. The PPG deltron is pretty good stuff and even their Omni brand isn't terrible. Get lots of quart size mixing cups, sticks, and filter cones when you get the paint, they are usually free when you buy the paint.

Lastly have something to test spray on so you can get the gun adjusted before hitting the car with the paint. Also run a strip of masking tape around the top of the gun where the cap goes on, they like to leak and drip paint out of there and that's not fun to get on the car.

I've never done a flat color so I can't help much there, sorry.

My color gun is a Sata and primer is a husky professional cheapo deal I got at Home Depot when someone returned it. I actually really like it though, sprays really well. For the price on those it maybe worth buying and checking out. If you have access to the booth can you get access to the guns too and save a few dollars there?

Orange peel happens from lots of things, paint too thick, not enough air pressure, too much air pressure, air and spray pattern knobs not adjusted right on the gun, holding the gun too far away... Ect.

A little orange peel is always going to happen no matter what and the only way to get rid of it is to sand it out. Now you can minimize it by making sure you're gun is spraying right before you even start by having something to throw down some paint on first, I have an old fender I use lol.

Again I don't know about finishing a flat color but something I do to help the paint go on flat is after I get my base and a few coats of clear on I sand it flat with 1000 and then lay the last few coats if clear on. Lays out much more smooth that way.

Some of the stuff I've painted. Boat I just did o


Life is uncertain. Don't sip.

I work for a heavy equipment company and we have a booth at our yard, but all the tools are the guys. I haven't actually talked to the painters, mostly because I don't speak but a couple words of Spanish.

Yeah I have been reading up on different paint technics and what not, there is so much out there it just seems like trial and error for what works best for you. I did read your thread on painting the boat, it came out real nice.


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This is my first paint job. The boat then did a couple Harleys and my Camaro. Painting with 2 stage base coat clear coat was really forgiving once you get your base laid down. I would lay down a couple of clear coats and wet sand it with 1000 the I could lay down any graphics I wanted with out tape pulling the paint or have pin striping done and lay down 2/3 coats of clear and color sand and buff. They make a clear that finishes flat I've never used it but you can't sand any problems out like you would a glossy clear. On the Harley tank I laid down the base cleared it and hit it with 1000 wet sand the taped out the flames (ghost flames) I would buy pearl in a powder form and mix it with the clear. Pull the tape and wet sand with 1000 then clear entire tank with a couple wet coats and color sand and buff. I was always nervous about pulling tape that's why I would alway clear and wet sand in between different colors or graphics. I'll post pics next because it won't let me post all at once.


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Bike car boat.


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I say a 60 gallon minimum.


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Yeah 60 gal is probably fine... I don't like those single stage air pumps they put on a lot of the compressors in that size range. Two stage pump is the way to go, use more hp but pump out a lot more air and higher pressures, most of them are much less loud too.

Since you have the booth you don't have to worry about that though. Definitely something to think about when you're looking to get your own stuff.

Lots of those items are high price but if you get a cheap one you'll just spend more replacing it later on. IMO tools are a life long investment and paying for quality pays off in the long run.


Life is uncertain. Don't sip.

Car. Should of never sold that one (frickin idiot) !!!!!!


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Yes I consider tools a life time purchase, as well. I have been know to buy cheapo stuff, really who hasn't. Some times it works out, other times you end up spending more than if you would have just done it right the first time.

Holy cow, a 60 gallon compressor... I was thinking of using my Dads portable 10 gal. Looks like I will have to use the booth, because there is no way I'm dropping that kind of money on a compressor. Even more so when I have no room to put it. I already take up half my Dads garage and 3/4 quarters of his side yard. Haha

I will have to start really looking for stuff and get him serious about painting his truck. He doesn't have a whole lot of money, so I'll have to help him out a little. So there will be a balance between quality and price. I've been itching to really paint something, though.

As for as materials and tools; what are some good quality brands. I don't need top of the line just good and workable, obviously I'm not an expert and need stuff that is fixable.
As far as sanding boxes, what are good sizes to have and use?
Filler, they aren't all the same and they don't all work will on the all surfaces. Most of the truck is metal but there is fiberglass also.


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Dude dive in both feet go for it if you screw it up you know what not to do .You can always sand it down and start over

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Lmao I hear ya my point is the worst thing that could happen is you have to sand it off and start over go buy some used fenders at a junk yard and practice. Go on amazon and buy some how to paint and do body we or books that's how I started

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