[babyface]

When painting an entire car (not just the outside surfaces), what's the best way to do it with a metallic BC/CC? Should all the unexposed surfaces be base coated and clearcoated and masked, then do the outside?
Or is there a better way?

 

[Halloweenking]

If its the doorjams and such I'd base them, base and clear the exsterior then clear the jams to cut down on the overspray grit.

HK

 

[mitmaks]

or you can do whole interior with jambs then mask it off and paint/clear outside, making sure to scuff on door edges, quarter panel and fender edges and then just spraying into edges. after its cured, sand where masking line was, but usually you wont have to if you mask right to door skins, etc.

 

[TurboS10]

I am very curious about the way HK lined out, and I would recommend it if you are only painting jambs and can open and close the door while painting. If not, you are left with the other, like I was. I had paint the interior and exterior at different times because of the cage, and I can point to a could of things to watch out for.

First, make for sure when you paint the interior to get plenty of coverage on the edges of the doorjamb faces where it meets the exterior. You can then scuff the edges as mentioned so that there is a nice overlap where your masking line is(more in a second) When you mask for painting the exterior take alot of time and get it perfect. I didnt so I speak from experience. You want to make sure that the mask line is right at 1/8 inch inside the door jam. If you try to mask right on the line, it will be harder to sand out and you will be more likely to break through which brings me back to the point above. I point this out because last weekend while finishing the sanding of the mask lines on my S-10 in this area I broke through once. This was because I did not get enough paint in that area when doing the door jamb paint. It was also because I was only about 1/16 an inch or less inside the jam and should have overlapped a little more. What this caused was the paint to build up on the paint edge.

Also, if you are able to carefully open the doors and unmask the jambs before the paint cures without touching your fresh paint you will get a little less of an edge on the mask line.

I am no pro so there are probably some other tips some guys have. I just know that it made me a little sick when I was not able to totally get the mask lines out around my doors. Kindof one of those things only you will alway notice, but you will if you are picky like me.

One more thing is to make sure you totally mask the interior from the exterior, cause the paint will find its way in. That includes holes in the floor or firewall.

Chris

[ May 21, 2003: Message edited by: TurboS10 ]</p>

 

[babyface]

The doorjams are a biggie, but also the engine compartment, underside of hood and trunk, etc.

I assume parts of the door will have to be sprayed with the door off the car, so it seems masking is the best bet.

 

[TurboS10]

Well, I used several steps. First I did the interior, jambs, and firewall. Then, I did the insides of the doors, and underside of hood. Last, after careful assembly and a day of masking everything just like the jambs I did the exterior.

Chris

 

[babyface]

How much change in hue and metallic content should I expect to get if all this isn't done on the same day?

For example, if one weekend I do the engine compartment, door jambs, inside of doors, trunk and hood. Next weekend, I assemble it, mask it all of and have the outside shot.

I don't expect them to match exactly, but will there be an obvious color difference, or just a subtle one that would only be noticeable with adjacent flat panels?

(My color is a light blue metallic - similar to that lt/med blue metallic that used to be on a lot of '76/'77 Olds Cutlasses)

 

[TurboS10]

You should not see any difference if you mix the paint well before every use. I shot paint 5 times before it was all said and done and had no change in color.

Chris

 

[adtkart]

I personally would follow the suggestion of HK. If done correctly, you would have little if any overspray on the outside from clearing the jambs. You clear the jambs from inside the opening, keeping the gun pointed at a 90 deg angle to the surface, you are not spraying the clear at the sides that way. What you would have would be easier to get off with buffing than having to try to sand the lines off of the jambs. You wouldn't have the problem of breaking through the clear while sanding the masking lines.

 

[troy-curt]

I`ve read all the posts a couple of times, you all have some good ideas, but I have one question why are you painting the jambs separate from the ext??
I allways paint both at the same time, no tape lines.

 

[TurboS10]

Originally posted by troy-curt:
<strong>I`ve read all the posts a couple of times, you all have some good ideas, but I have one question why are you painting the jambs separate from the ext??
I allways paint both at the same time, no tape lines.</strong><hr></blockquote>


I did mine this way because I had to paint the cage, interior, doorjambs, and insides of the doors. There was no way I could see to get it all done. Especially since I had to crawl inside over the cage to do the interior and inside of the cage. I did the the jambs when I was doing this. Looking back, it might have been better to do the jambs and insides of the doors with the exterior to avoid the line, but I was afraid I would have problems opening and closing the doors with every coat without damaging something. I actually read this is a book, and went with it never looking back.

Any insight on how to do this would be helpful for the future. I suggested what I did because I think the original question was from someone with about as much experience as myself or less.

Another problem I could see is the door hinge area. By painting all separate, I got a perfect finish in this area, and I could not see how to do this painting with the doors on.

Chris

[ May 25, 2003: Message edited by: TurboS10 ]</p>

 

[troy-curt]

When I paint with the doors on, I use a touch up gun, you have to be extra careful.
most of the time I paint with the doors off of the car,depending on how much detail you want. Everyone has there own system that works best for them.

 

[troy-curt]

Each project presents diff. problems, you should do what works best for you. Good Luck TC

 

[TurboS10]

Originally posted by troy-curt:
<strong>When I paint with the doors on, I use a touch up gun, you have to be extra careful.
most of the time I paint with the doors off of the car,depending on how much detail you want. Everyone has there own system that works best for them.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Okay, so you paint the doors off the car and paint the remaining exterior and jambs at the same time. I got ya now. Sounds like a paint chip waiting to happen. It is so nerve racking reassembling after new paint. <img src="graemlins/pain.gif" border="0" alt="[pain]" />

Chris

 

[troy-curt]

Yep you have to be really, really carefull, and yes I have slipped and had to do some touchup work. I like to paint every piece separate inside and out,when I can.
Always have three persons on assm. and some moving pads. I have a door jack that helps a lot.

Look in my album, at the chevelle conv. It`s a bare body with the doors on. Had to be really carefull and not let the doors shut all the way. The reason was the doors were very hard to aligh. I put the car togeather, made sure every thing fit,then removed the front end and painted everything separate.
The firewall was already painted and the eng. was in, also the cowling and dash was done also frame and floors were done.
I like to put every thing back togeather before I color sand, It`s easy to touchup that way.
Each project is like boobies, there all a little different.