Use of new paint shop product

[streetshark]

I have some questions about using the new paint shop line of products.

Does this new paint work well on fiberglass? My '68 vette needs a paint job badly and I am on a strict budget.

What kind of compressor do I need to paint with this new product? I only have a small one and will need to borrow or rent something.

I have never painted a car before so this is going to be a real experience. Any advice?

[6t8dart]

I am doing something similar, I have a craftsman 25gal 2hp compressor, and I ordered an Astro EVO4014 LVLP spray gun. it is suppored to be able to use very little air, 7.8 cfm @ 40 psi. (Low Volume Low Pressure). It works fine on my compressor, it atomized VERY well and reduces the orange peel effect that the paint is known for (less wet sanding), and the best thing is that it is only $74.50 at spraygunworld.com


http://www.spraygunworld.com/products/Astro/Astro%20Pneumatic%20-%20EVO4014.htm

You have to remember the all cars used laquer paints until the mid 70's, when EPA stopped them from use. These new laquers are acetone based solvents, which, from what I learned are heavier than air, so they evaporate down, not up into the air, this makes them very friendly, less smell, especially outside the garage. My neighbors were not able to tell that I was painting, and the smell inside the garage disappeared within a few hours.

[6t8dart]

Also, do what I did, practice first. See if you can get a spare fender, or hood, anything youcan practice spraying.

Also, if you compressor is small, its much more important to have a good gun. How big is your compressor? If you get an LVLP gun, even small compressors will be able to keep up. The only problem will be, if it runs constantly, it will generate a lot of moisture, so, invest in is a water filter, Eastwood sells a dessicant snake, or dessicant hang-on-the-wall filter, these are about $50-60. So if you figure, $60 for a filter, $75 for the gun, $10 for a gallon of Laquer thinner (gun cleaning), $5 Acetone, $5 wax and grease remover, and $10 for a box of wipes, you have $165 in equipment.

You dont have to paint the whole car at once either. I am painting the fenders, hood, doors, trunklid, and the roof/rear quarters seperately. This is less demanding on the compressor.

[Dupli-Color-Specialist]

Hey 6t8Dart thanks for the replies. Streetshark take note with what Dart is doing. Practice on a large piece of metal or spart fender or hood. Prep is key to a nice paint job so make sure you follow all steps before applying any paint. Also Paint Shop will work on Fiberglass. You may want to contact your local Auto Body supplier for tips on any special prep you may need on bare fiberglass areas. Otherwise you will be fine.

[Psylosyfer]

I have fiberglass fender flairs on my 68 GTO, And have had good results with the PS primer, So far everything is great I'm going to add color next weekend and will post the results.

[streetshark]

Thanks for the tips. Especially about the low volume low pressure guns, I never even knew they existed. Maybe I can get a new compressor that will do everything I need without buying one of those expensive paint shop versions. I need to upgrade the one I have, just didn't want to spend $1000.00 on a compressor.

I plan on stripping my car down to the gel coat. Old paint is very thick, must be several paint jobs worth. I am thinking Chrome Yellow. I will let you know how things are going.

[Hammer]

4hp black max compressor made by Sanborn is what I am using. Eastwood sells the Divilbliss paint gun starter set. Comes with paint gun,primer gun and a real handy touch up gun. This what I am using now and its great.