Finally got 'er painted!

[Mad Chemist]

Well, after hours of prep, I finally got my fj40 painted. What a process, especially for this being the first vehicle I ever sprayed! My dad made it look so much easier when I was a kid helping him out. At any rate, I used a HVLP gun from Harbor Freight, spraying PPG Delstar Dune Beige paint. Spraying at only 10 PSI, I was amazed at how little paint is wasted. There isn't nearly as much paint aerosol that gets in the air, which really helped with fumes. You can see from picture I attached that I didn't have a whole lot of room to work in. I wore a tyvek suit and respirator with organic fumes filter, and had fans to keep moving air in my "booth" which I coated with sheets of plastic. There are some serious runs in the paint in a few spots where I laid it on too thick, due to my own inexperience. These will have to be worked out later after the paint is hardened. At any rate, it isn't perfect, but its mine, and I have the satisfaction of tackling it on my own!

Happy Holidays!

 

[72cruiser]

nicely done
...and yeah, it's waaaay harder than you would think the first time you pick up a paint gun, ha ha

can't wait for the pics of it all detailed and shinin out in the sun...


malphrus

 

[72cruiser]

oh, what primer did you use?

 

[Herky]

Looks good to me, but I'm pretty easy to please. I've thought about tackling this project myself. What are the specs on your compressor? Any inline filters or anything?

 

[Mad Chemist]

I bought an inline water filter from Harbor Freight (God, I love that place!). The air compressor I have is a 5.5 hp, 22 gallon Campbell Hausfeld, which was more than adequate for the job. The nice thing about an HVLP gun is that you don't use a ton of air (only 10 PSI), so a smaller compressor can keep up pretty easily. Had I used a regular spray gun, I would have constantly been waiting for the tank to build up pressure throughout the day.

As far as primer, I'm embarassed to admit that I used Krylon spray can. I realize this could cause issues, but was willing to risk it. I finish sanded the surface with 800 grit after primering, sponged down with warm water to remove dust/grime, then used a tack cloth on it after it was dry. Time-wise, its 99% prep work, and the painting is all done in ~3 hrs. I probably spent 100 hrs+ on and off, getting it ready for paint, and I could have spent even more time than I did. After a certain point, I had to remind myself that this vehicle is going to see the trail, and didn't want it to end up being too pretty, to where I'd be afraid to take it out of the garage.

 

[labartonmd]

Looks good! How much paint did you use for the final color with that HVLP setup? I have the same gun and compressor!

 

[DocB]

Looks good; nice color choice.

 

[TexomaFJ40]

Wet sand, polish, repeat.....you'll do well enough.

 

[secretagent]

It looks awesome from this vantage point, Can't wait to see more pics

 

[BMAN]

Looks great from here. But why not remove the turnsignals and winshield bumpers? You'll wish you had.

 

[Mad Chemist]

I think I ended up using about half a gallon, and laid it on pretty thick. I don't have hard top, and inside the tub is sprayed with bedliner, which helped minimize how much I needed (I bought a whole gallon). Also, you don't waste much with the HVLP, which helps alot too.

 

[toddslater]

Nice work there for a rookie....don't sweat the runs. Hell, I've squirted a few cars in my day and I still get gready with the last coat more often than not and install a few runs. Some..one in particular vastly more experience painter takes great pleasure in my ablility to run the paint with style. Two weeks ago I squirted my HT side panels...it was a little too cool and the Iggles game was underway, so I rushed the re-coat, oh yea laid it on like glass, and returned between quarters to find identical runs on each......well at least they match. Onto your, how many coats of color did you shoot ? If they are large, I'd start the wet sanding with 600 to get the worst of it, then go down to 1000/1200, then compound with the buffer. Again, all in all good job. Although your scaring me with the rattle can primer....after all that work you would have no joy if it lifted all over the place.

 

[Mad Chemist]

I was really Jazzed to get it done, after prepping on and off for months due to lack of free time mixed in with frustration for lack of progress. It probably got 4-5 good coats when all was said and done. I do regret the rattle primer, but its all over but the crying now. As far as working out the runs, due to the colder temps, I'm guessing I should wait a couple weeks before even thinking about working on the defects?

 

[Soul_Man]

Check the P-sheets on your paint about getting the runs out. I think it may be easier to do before the paint fully hardens. While it is still a tiny bit soft it will sand much easier. (I'm pretty sure that's true with 2-stage base/clearcoat systems, I would think it would be true for single stage) You can make a "run razor" by very slightly bending a straight razor blade. Then dress it on some 6-800 grit sandpaper by pulling it (sharp edge trailing) and use that to pull across the runs to smooth them down. If you do it with sandpaper, make sure you use a sanding block and not just your hand. Even with a sanding block you may wind up taking more paint off around the runs than you want. I think Eastwood (www.eastwoodcompany.com) sells run razors (plastic box to hold a razor so you can shave the runs down. (http://www.eastwoodcompany.com/shop...bute15=0&attribute16=0&RS=1&keyword=run+razor)

Oh yeah, looks sweet

 

[camcruiser13]

looks good, i just got done painting my baby, what a pain

 

[Mad Chemist]

Thanks for the tip Soul Man, I'll have to try that.

 

[Soul_Man]

No worries. May be a little late (since you are done), but check out www.paintucation.com They sell some pretty good videos for the do it yourself painter, and also have a good discussion forum.

 

[nuclearlemon]

looks awsome...don't worry about overspray on glass...just grab a razor or a brillo pad.

i've got to paint mine soon.

 

[fj40_rico]

looks awsome...don't worry about overspray on glass...just grab a razor or a brillo pad.

i've got to paint mine soon.

I had durabak on my windows, and it was really easy to remove with the razor. Looks great by the way.

- Rico.

 

[toddslater]

I'm not sure what brillo is rated, I have always used triple 0 steel wool after the single sided razor scrape. I don't think triple 0 steel wool is as coarse as brillo, nor does it have soap. If your steel wool is too coarse it'll leave scratches on the glass that will drive you crazy in the setting sun.