Masking and painting techniques?

[woytovich]

I want to learn how to most effectively apply masking tape (and then paint) to minimize paint bleeding under the edge of the tape. My limited experience in the past has just about always left me with less than a clean edge... I'll be using rattle can paint BTW.

I will be painting the "naturally occurring" sections of the panels on my FJ60. So... where is the "best" place to put the line between colors? What I mean is: on the side of a 60 there are horizontal ribs/ridges in the sheet metal that define the sections (I have seen an OEM "Woody" section in the middle one)... If I want to make one of the sections a different color is it best to put the break line at the TOP of a ridge or at the bottom (am I being clear?)

Thanks in advance...
Mark

 

[Texx]

Not the technique, but the product. You want 3M fine line tape, no bleeding period. Available at auto body paint stores. Make it the cut product between colors, and you can tape to it with any masking tape to get more width as needed.

 

[dmaddox]

Yes, use a high grade 3M painting tape from your local paint supply store. Also, for what HVLP guns are going for I am surprised to see that folks are still rattle bombing things.

Now, I can understand the little small things or knick knacks, but any part of the body....just spray it with an HVLP. Harbor Freight carries a 50 dollar gun that if kept clean does a good job (i use it for primer).

tape off with a good paint masking tape, and as I go along I press semi-hard on the paint edge. Remember also that if you are taping something off, and then use 3 coats of primer, a sealer, base coat, then clear coat, that tape is going to be buried and when you go to pull it off, if the paint is not hard enough you'll pull the paint off with it! So be careful there.

I know I am on a rant here, sorry.

Dallas

 

[woytovich]

I know I am on a rant here, sorry.

Dallas

Not at all... I am looking for these kinds of tips and info.

I said rattle can because I currently don't have the set-up to do a gun... And the sections I'm looking to paint (lower and middle "sections" of the side of my 60) are not so large.

I MAY however take an autobody paint class at the local trade school (evenings) that will not only get me the (presumed) expert instruction but also access to a spray booth and proper air supply...

 

[dmaddox]

Mark....check this out.

50 bucks at your local Harbor Freight, snag their HVLP gun. Grab a gallon of thinner from Wal*Mart to keep the gun clean, etc.. (remember the dial face on the regulator is plastic, so keep paint and thinner away from that gauge).

You have an air compressor I'd assume.

1. Heat up your garage with some kind of space heater (or if it's heated, even better). This sucks, but try to get it as close to room temperature as you can (warmer days help).

2. On the H.F. guns I run 45 psi to the gun, better atomization and the paint goes down much nicer.

3. Snag a quart of color and a quart of clear (more sprayable because you put hardeners in them).

4. Mask off the area using the above mentioned techniques.

5. Scuff the entire area, or if it's bad D.A. it down (dual action sander) with 80, then 180, then 220 grit papers respectively.

6. If it's bare metal use a primer (epoxy is nice, but on a small area, you can get away with a rattle can primer to keep the cost low, otherwise grab some from your paint store).

7. Shoot your color. You can use a video such as this to see the technique (although this guy goes fast).
YouTube - Spraying Base Coat & Clear! ?With Ed Hubbs? Ed Hubbs is an awesome painter. And this is a FREE 9 min instructional video. So don't waste money at a local college if you don't have to. NOTHING replaces the experience of just doing it yourself and learning on your own.

8. Then, as in the video, shoot your clear. Remember to have a large piece of cardboard around to practice a few strokes on. on the H.F. guns.....adjust your fan to about 10" at 18" away from the car. Turn your air supply on full, and set the product screw at 4 full turns out.

You can do this, it's easy and the results are OEM. You'll see.

I love this stuff so just let me know where and if I can help. If you lived closer I'd have you over to show you how easy it is!

See ya,

Dallas