Fender Respray

[klinetime574]

I found some paint that is very close in color to mine. I have a 1984 Light Blue Metallic (861) color code.

Found Krylon SparVar Metallic Blue and decided to give it a shot. I have held the fender up to the car but have not installed it yet. I think it will be close enough and much better than the brown whatever the "new" fender was.

Here are some progress shots.

How I got the fender

Sanding

Sanding

Sanding

First coat of primer

Second coat

Third coat

Fourth coat

Color on

Color touched up and clear coated with three light coats.

The primer/ paint I used

Will post tomorrow with a photo of the fender installed. Had to stop here tonight because it got dark

And a question for y'all.

Can I use wax on a spray paint? Or what would be a good substance to use to protect it?

 

[klinetime574]

Here it is. What do y'all think? Sorta close. Much better than what it was. For $4 a can I ain't gonna complain. I plan to get this professionally repainted once I have the funds. Hopefully within the next 10 years.

 

[TallCanDan]

Definitely better than what it was! Looks like you got uniform coverage out of the spray can, which can be difficult to avoid the tiger stripes.
Have you looked at the can of clear coat you used regarding the compatibility of any waxes? It might say something, might not. If it were me I would try it, just give the paint and clear a couple days to dry (might want to check the cans for curing time) before trying the wax.

 

[klinetime574]

Thanks for chiming in! And for the compliment


The clear coat can says "After 48 hours, apply a mild rubbing compound to blend finish area into surrounding areas or to improve gloss."

So I take it that means wax. Which would be best to use? I want to pick some up today. The color is so close that getting more gloss out of it may help.

 

[TallCanDan]

I would get something that states "safe for clear coats", maybe something with carnuba in it. For some reason I'm thinking Rubbing Compound has a grit in it, but Polishing Compound should be for just that- polishing. If you go with the Polishing Compound, again make sure it's safe for clear coats.

 

[klinetime574]

I would get something that states "safe for clear coats", maybe something with carnuba in it. For some reason I'm thinking Rubbing Compound has a grit in it, but Polishing Compound should be for just that- polishing. If you go with the Polishing Compound, again make sure it's safe for clear coats.

Sounds good to me. I'll hit up O'Reilley's or something after school.

 

[lathamb]

You dont want to wax fresh paint. Rubbing compound has grit or solvent to polish new paint. Hit it with rubbing compound then let it cure for a month or longer then wax.

 

[klinetime574]

You dont want to wax fresh paint. Rubbing compound has grit or solvent to polish new paint. Hit it with rubbing compound then let it cure for a month or longer then wax.

Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound safe to use?

Should I attack it or do it lightly? I don't want to take off a coat of paint. Haha

I'll try lightly first in an inconspicuous area.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Kline, Any wax will be okay with the clear coat after a little cure time.

Just remember rattle can paint is VERY thin, cleared or not. It doesn't take much pressure to burn through it.

So, IMO give it some time to harden/cure then apply a rubbing compound as Lath described above, but only apply light to moderate pressure then I'd wax 30 to 60 days later.

J

 

[klinetime574]

I bought some Meguiar's (Clear Coat Safe) Rubbing Compound

I clear coated the fender on Sunday. The most extreme sun exposure it had was today, sat in the sun from 12:30PM 'til it got dark on top of a parking garage. It's also already been rained on haha. The fenders sure do get hot while driving too. I'll wait a few more days until I try the rubbing compound even though I am anxious. It looked good when it got rained on.

And I know how easy it is to scratch. I had to carry it upstairs and put it on the patio. Scratched it a couple times going in and out of the doorways. Pissed every time I did it. Touch ups fixed it.

Thanks for the advice guys!

 

[klinetime574]

I put the rubbing compound on today. It smoothed out the surface very nicely. Didn't alter the color. But it still looks good!

 

[skidplate]

You did a great job on the fender! Instead of waiting 10 years for a "real" paint job, I'd invest in some more rattle cans and do the hood, followed by the other fender and work my way through the whole thing. You'd be a regular Picaso by the time you're done with it.

 

[klinetime574]

You did a great job on the fender! Instead of waiting 10 years for a "real" paint job, I'd invest in some more rattle cans and do the hood, followed by the other fender and work my way through the whole thing. You'd be a regular Picaso by the time you're done with it.

Thanks for the compliment

I've thought about that, but the existing paint (even though it is crappy looking) is tougher than spray paint. Spray paint is pretty thin. And not a close enough match for me to the original color. I might invest in a real spray gun and compressor when I have the time and money. Painting is kinda fun.

And once I get this thing painted really well it won't see any trails at all. Gonna need another one for that duty