Spraying

[Nouveau]

I'm wanting to respray my Lower front Valance..Having never sprayed before..Should I leave it to an Expert or try myself?...

 

[Peter Empson]

I'm rubbish at spraying (as anyone who's seen my textured wheels and badge panel will know), but I'd say why not give it a go and if it doesn't work then get the Pro in.
I may be wrong but I think bodyshops use a more flexible paint for these polyurethane parts, might be worth looking into. The other problem you might have is that it's a bit too cold to paint outside now and expect a good job unless you have a heater you can use.

 

[morris944s2john]

I've done some spraying, and recently a bit on my 944. I would leave it till summer as its too cold atm (as said above for home DIY spraying). If you're serious about learning these skills, then the very best thing I can suggest is enrol on a local college car body restoration night school. Its amazing how much better it is to spray panels in a booth at the right temperature using a decent spray gun. The college tutor can advise on what paints to use and where to get them from and how to prepare and apply.

As allways, the final spraying is the last job and its the prep- sanding, filling, priming, then more sanding etc that makes the final spray coat look good. What colour is your car? in general the lighter the colour, the easier it is to get a good finish.

 

[morris944s2john]

"as anyone who's seen my textured wheels and badge panel will know"
That sounds either like poor preparation of the area to be sprayed (i.e. primer layer not absolutely smooth) or "orange peel" effect in the top coat. This can be caused by wrong temp conditions or paint mix or poor technique.

 

[Peter Empson]

ORIGINAL: morris944s2john
This can be caused by wrong temp conditions or paint mix or poor technique.

The temp was definately an issue, technique too []
The wheels have lasted quite a few years so I can't complain. The badge panel was painted when it was freezing out and all I had was a useless convector in the garage [] But it's neither its original red nor rust coloured so again was a good temporary measure.

 

[sawood12]

The only spraying i've done is wing mirror backs and a rear lower bumper on the wifes Polo, both with Aerosols bought from the dealership. I was quite impressed with the results in terms of getting a nice smooth finish, however I couldn't get the depth of shine that the rest of the body had no matter how many times I T-cut it. It wasn't a poor job - far from it, it fooled everyone that came to view it when I sold it on and the dealer that valued it, but when you looked really closely you could see it didn't have the depth of shine that the rest of the body had. For that reason I personally would not be prepared to tackle a large area without a compressor and proper spray-gun in a more controlled environment. But as Peter suggests give it a go.

 

[Nouveau]

Thanks For the Advice Chaps...I think I'll leave until spring, there are a few other bits to do Also..but the valance is driving my nuts...I'll just have to approach the Car from the rear..(OoooEr!) until March..and Get it Done By a Body shop!

 

[Guest]

If you've got a garage, then you could always make a "Tent" out of Bubblewrap, and put a heater in there- nice and warm, and a clean environment....[]

 

[Hilux]

Good prep and lots of small even coats then lacquer but prior to lacquer spray over a mist coat of a contrasting colour then use wet and dry 1200 - 1400 with soap and water and dont rub too hard to highlight raised and lowered surface imperfections. If you want a real shine then use ever finer wet and dry (I`ve even used newspaper and soapy water, it really does work)

T Cut can be too harsh.

If you want a good shine then use Mr Sheen on plastic bits.

 

[cococola]

I refreshed my sills in the summer with stone guard finish followed by spraying over to match colour and I was very pleased with the results.I think doing the same with the area that you are talking about you will get similar sucess.[]