I hope all goes well. The key to painting is in the prep and patients.
Usually if you don't prep it right, the paint doesn't stick good to the
metal. If you prep good, you will usually get a nice clean and even
finish. This is how I paint.
1. Strip all paint. Bead blasting works awesome, but paint stripper
works good too.
2. Lightlye scuff the surface. Using 400 grit sandpaper or steel wool
equivilent. Wipe everything off clean and make sure it's dry.
3. Use a good primer. There are some pimers that seal or "raise"
rust. Whatever you use, make sure you are using one with a fine
misting tip. DupliColor makes an awesome Primer Sealer with an
excelent spray tip.
4. Spray in even and light coats. You want to try and spray evenly so
there isn't too much build up in different areas. It will be
noticeable. You also want to spray light so that there isn't any
dripping. Running looks really ugly and uneven and takes longer to
dry, not to mention fixing that if you care wether or not the paint job
looks even. Also, start spraying right about two inches before the
object.
5. Be patient. This is the part that is hard for all new painters.
Wait for the paint to completly dry before reapplying the next coat.
Some spray can will give you a estimated to for drying in the
directions. The more you goop on, the longer it takes to dry and the
more prone you are to running. It's worth the time to do more even
light coates than to just do a few heavy ones.
6. Spray until desired look is achieved and then clear coat. It takes
me anywhere from about 3 - 6 coats of paint before i'm ready for the
clear coat. Apply clear coat just as you would the normal paint.
Light and even. Even though it is clear, you will still be able to see
runs if you just nuke your paint job with clear coat.
Tips:
1. Designate an area to paint. Do this and make sure you COVER
EVERYTHING around that area. Spray painting creates over spray.
Imagine the paint painting the dust in the air. It gets everywhere.
Also wear something you don't mind being painted just incase.
2. Spray somewhere that is well ventilated. You don't want to be
breathing in those fumes. They are not good for you. Try investing in
a <a
[URL="http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@2063155743.1162070743@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccfcaddjfdfhmkicgelceffdfgidglo.0&CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=storehome/pg_storehome.jsp&MID=9876&pos=n01"]http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@2063155743.1162070743@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccfcaddjfdfhmkicgelceffdfgidglo.0&CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=storehome/pg_storehome.jsp&MID=9876&pos=n01[/paint
maskURL]. You can find them at hardware stores and they last a good
while before you have to change out the canisters.
3. Hang what you're painting. Its the easy way to paint without
having to handle painted areas with your hands. Just try not to hang
by an area that needs to be painted.
4. Bake. If you have the means and know how you can bake what you are
painting. It speeds up the drying time and in my opinion lets the
paint bond better. Do this only if you know how to do it or have been
taught how to do it.
I think I covered everything. I hope everything works out good for you
this time. And if it doesn't, do not be discouraged. Painting is an
art form. It takes practice.
--
p1choco
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