anyone on here do auto body work?

[BIGINNER]

i've done alot of auto body work since i was about 6,  but i never had a chance to deal with painting a car,  i've done everything from framework to prepping for paint, but never painted,  well i bouht a subaru legacy about 2 weeks ago, and it had some hood damage,  so since i bought the car for only $200.00 i decided that this would be an excellent car for me to practice painting.  i have everything necicary for painting, my spray gun is a cheap harbor freight model but it has painted over 20 cars, (not by me though).   my brother-in-law usually paints cars for me (he's a pro)  but he's too busy right now to help me and i can't get him to pick up his phone.  so last night i got all the prep done and primered the areas where i filled in some dents, and today i will sand/smooth out the primer and paint, 

 i know most of the basics, but the only thing that has me confused is... how much time should i give the base to dry before i spray the clearcoat?

 

[BIGINNER]

oh,  and any other advice and tips are very welcome and apreciated.

(except if it has something to do with my cap/lac od cap letters)   

[Woodchuck]

flash times and suggested gun pressures will likely be right on the side of the can, if not ask for a sheet when you buy the stuff, if they can't tell you, buy paint somewhere else

[HornHoarder]

Hey Biginner, I do auto body and paint for living. I would wait untill the paint is dry to the touch before clearcoat. 1 hour should be plenty. Also do not wait more than 24 hours. Hope it turns out great! Message me if you need any more advice.

[BIGINNER]

flash times and suggested gun pressures will likely be right on the side of the can, if not ask for a sheet when you buy the stuff, if they can't tell you, buy paint somewhere else

i thought that i go by the pressure noted on the gun?  right?     ahh!!  now i'm starting to worry that i'll screw up.

lol  good thing its only a $200 car

[Sumpnneedskillin]

You're going too high tech.  No need to color matching or clear coats.  Do what I did with my 4Runner.  Stop at Home Depot buy 3 cans of spray paint.  Sand hood to rough it up.  Mask the fenders and windshield.  Wipe down the hood with lint free cloth and acetone.  Spray hood. 

[BIGINNER]

You're going too high tech.  No need to color matching or clear coats.  Do what I did with my 4Runner.  Stop at Home Depot buy 3 cans of spray paint.  Sand hood to rough it up.  Mask the fenders and windshield.  Wipe down the hood with lint free cloth and acetone.  Spray hood. 

lol  awesome idea,  but my wife is gonna drive this car for a coupl weeks till i get licence plates for the lexus i bought her on valentines day    yes.... i fell into that trap      fell BAD!!   lol 

and also i need to practice cus i got an 07 sebring standing in my garauge for 2 years already waiting for a paint job,   

[BIGINNER]

Hey Biginner, I do auto body and paint for living. I would wait untill the paint is dry to the touch before clearcoat. 1 hour should be plenty. Also do not wait more than 24 hours. Hope it turns out great! Message me if you need any more advice.

p.m. sent

[gaddy]

get the tech sheets on what ever paint system you are useing. different temps or conditions will dictate what reducers, hardeners or flash times are required. also different bases and clearcoats will require different caps on the gun or air pressures needed to achieve proper atomization of the materials used to insure proper flow & gloss retention.

[BIGINNER]

ok,  well after about 50 tries i got a hold of my brother-in-law.  and he answered most of my questions,  and i painted the hood, ...  hopefully it'll turn out good once its dried,  it looked good wet,  lol  i definately learned alot today,  especially how big of a role air pressure playes  lol   

[MuleySniper]

Awesome thread Ive been procrastinating painting my CJ5 for about two years now because I'm too scared! Definitely on my to do list this summer when it warms up though. I bought the epoxy sealer just need to buy the top coat. Just a single stage deal for me. Be sure to show us some before and after pics. I don't know why I'm so intimidated, I throw down about 60 gallons of paint and lacquer a year on my cabinetry and furniture I build. Have a booth too!
MS

[BIGINNER]

Awesome thread Ive been procrastinating painting my CJ5 for about two years now because I'm too scared! Definitely on my to do list this summer when it warms up though. I bought the epoxy sealer just need to buy the top coat. Just a single stage deal for me. Be sure to show us some before and after pics. I don't know why I'm so intimidated, I throw down about 60 gallons of paint and lacquer a year on my cabinetry and furniture I build. Have a booth too!
MS

lol thats how i felt too,  but i did an awesome job,  it turned out perfect,   sorry no before pics,  lol