painting my car

K. Elliot

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Mar 12, 2004, 11:07:48 AM3/12/04

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Hello all-
I am in the information gathering stage related to the restoration of
my car. I am planning on doing the bodywork myself. I will be taking
the body down to bare metal (as there are way too many coats of paint
on this vehicle, and the paint looks like a maze of connected
spider-webs).

I was thinking about painting the car myself (although I have no
experience at all). I have checked out a couple of books from the
library about painting cars ("How to Paint Your Car" by Parks &
Jacobs, "Boyd Coddington's How to Paint Your Hot Rod" and "Automotive
Paint Handbook" by John Pfanstiehl).

Parks & Jacobs state that paint professionals suggest that anyone
painting their own car paint it using Eurethane paint systems. I was
thinking about taking this advice, however, reading boyd coddington's
how to paint your hotrod, they state that when painting with eurethane
paint systems the painter must use a fresh air hood (to keep the
painter alive, & breathing fresh air).

I will be doing all the work on my car in the garage, and would be
painting in my garage as well (if I decide to paint it myself).

Does anyone have experience painting their vehicle with eurethane
paint systems? Is the freshair hood a necessity? Are eurethane paint
systems forgiving to the novice? Should I look at other types of
paint?

Any information or suggestions are greatly appreciated. If anyone
thinks I would get better info from another group let me know...I will
repost there.

Thanks again & sorry for the length of this post!

Kevin

JimV

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Mar 12, 2004, 1:53:07 PM3/12/04

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There are different kinds of Urethanes. The ones with isocynides are
deadly and require a fresh air hood. I suggest you don't try this, but
if you do find a local auto paint jobber (supplier) and tell them what
you want to do. They will recommend a system that is safe with just a
respirator and has the best chance of success. The biggest problem with
painting a car in a garage (besides your health) is getting the vapors
and over spray out and fresh air in without also bringing in a ton of
dust and bugs than end-up in your paint. Pay someone to spray it in a booth.

GGHS 1981

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Mar 12, 2004, 6:39:06 PM3/12/04

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The way I did it was like this. I bought enough sheets of plastic to cover the
walls and above the car. Bought three furnace filters to set under the garage
door. Closed the door down onto them so they could filter in air. Then mounted
a fan in one of the fresh air openings near the floor on the wall. That way it
blew air out and the filters kept dust from coming in. Use a spray bottle and
spray the floor to keep that dust down and you should have a decent area to
paint your car. Use a mask and paint when most of your neighbors are at work.
Keeps fumes complaints down. Go to a salvage yard or a body shop and get some
old fenders or hoods and practice, practice practice. That way you learn how
your gun and paint works before you start the car. Also use tons of lights! It
shows up mistakes. That way you see them before the bright sun does. Heres a
link to a great site with tons of info! Greg

http://www.autobody101.com/

Denny B

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Mar 13, 2004, 7:55:06 PM3/13/04

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http://www.autobodystore.com/cgi-bin/config.pl?index

All you'll ever want to know about painting a car.

http://www.autobodystore.com/basics.htm

Check out the basics on their site.

http://www.autobody101.com/
This site does not even come close to autobodystore.com
I find it has a lot of hype.

Denny B