Specific Steps on DIY Car Painting
By Phil Lapin / CPPC Tech Committee & Vice President
In May of 2018, I wrote an article on DIY Car Painting. That was a broad overview of the whole process. I have had inquiries asking for more detailed information on just exactly what is involved in using specific paint products.
This month we will look at that issue. First – my qualifier – I am not a paint expert, but I have done considerable homework on this issue. There is a completely confusing array of paint products available, each with extensive data sheets. I waded through much of that, and made simple charts that I taped on my garage door to guide me in what can sometimes be a stressful process. These charts are summed up in this month’s column. If you would like a file with the actual charts, just send me an Email.
I used PPG Corporation’s OMNI paint products – widely available and very decent. Not the cheapest, and not the most expensive. For the clear coat, I used High Tech Brand’s “High Solids Clear Coat”. I first went down to bare metal, and put a rust blocker/sealer from SEM on the metal to neutralize rust in pits.
STEP 1 EPOXY PRIMER
Sand surfaces before using (120-180 on bare metal, 220-320 on old finishes or primer)
MIX RATIO: 2 PARTS MP EPOXY TO 1 PART CATALYST (can add up to 10% acetone)
Gun use: 1.3 – 1.6 nozzle
Apply 1-2 Coats
Dry Time: 1 coat about 15 MIN @ 70 degrees, 2 coats 30 min
SPRAY REGULAR PRIMER WITHIN 72 HOURS (or epoxy must be sanded to rough it up)
STEP 2 REGULAR HIGH BUILD PRIMER
MIX RATIO: 4 PARTS MP282 PRIMER + 1 PART MR185 REDUCER (FAST) + 1 PART MH283 HARDENER (NORMAL TEMP)
Gun use: 1.6 - 1.8 nozzle
Apply 2-4 coats / 10 min between coats
Dry time: 3 hours to sand and topcoat (sand to 400 dry or 500 wet before basecoat)
(You can take a break now – there is no maximum time before putting base coat on!!!)
STEP 3 OMNI ACRYLIC BASECOAT
MIX RATIO: 1 PART MBC BASECOAT + 1 PART MR REDUCER
Gun use : 1.3 – 1.5 nozzle
Apply 2 coats or until hiding – 5-10 minutes between coats
SPRAY CLEARCOAT 20 MINUTES MINIMUM TO 24 HOURS MAXIMUM
STEP 4 HIGH TECK Brand GLAMOUR CLEARCOAT
MIX RATIO: 2 PARTS 77125 CLEAR + 1 PART 77152 ACTIVATOR (FAST)
Gun use: 1.4
Apply 2-3 wet coats then 10-15 minute flash, then final wet coat
(I had a lot of trouble with runs, both from gun technique and too soon between coats)
