Wanted: advice on how to spray (West Midlands)

[alainmoran]

So, it's becoming apparent that my best bet for getting my shell sprayed in cellulose is for me to do it myself (apparently it's against european law to spray celly commercially & I really dont want it painted with 2K or other professional-only process) ... I've always wanted to be able to spray properly - many years ago I did a couple of panels on my old metro van after a scrape, but if I'm honest it was covered in dribbles & orange peel.

What I could really use is someone in the Nuneaton/Coventry area who has more of a clue about these kinds of things than I do to come visit the shell and I, first time around to give me some guidance on surface prep & what to look out for when choosing a compressor and gun. Then, once I'm happy that I've prepped the surface, another visit to help me take the first steps in spraying.

I'm fairly confident that I'll do an awful job this first time around and in a few years will end up stripping it all off and doing it again ... but hey, you gotta start somewhere!

[bmcecosse]

It's perfectly ok to spray celly commercially - as long as it's being done on a classic vehicle. As for spraying - buy a compressor (Aldi ) and a spray gun (lots on ebay). Various primers + paint + thinners. Take great care - highly flammable and highly poisonous fumes...... After making myself v unwell one time, I now ONLY spray outdoors on a good still/warm day - and usually just one panel at a time.

[chickenjohn]

Alain, the best thing you can do is ask advice at your local club! Or better still enrol on a vehicle restoration course if there is one in your area. These are brilliant and will teach you how to prepare and paint car body work.

As for online guides, here are a couple of guides:-

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/spray-painting.htm

http://www.citroen-restoration.co.uk/ds/painting.php

The only point I disagree with on these guides is never wet sand primer or filler, always dry sand (can use a velcro /vacuum sanding system to avoid dust build up).

[MarkyB]

dribbles & orange peel

Symptoms of putting the paint on too fast and too thick, spraying a car needs to be done in stages, not all at once.

[lambrettalad]

HI
wet sanding gives great results ,use the right grade at the correct stage.make sure the temp is warmish other wise it will bloom (have a white sheen),too little rather than too much is better,but not perfect ,feather the ends of your passes

Good quality paint and primer is a given,as is a compressor,that doesn't run out of air etc

preparation is king,some colours are more forgiving e.g. white

it's so easy to spend loads and make a pigs ear

I speak from experience
good luck

these may be useful
www.mig-welding.co.uk/spray-painting.htm
www.yell.com/s/paint+and+cellulose+spraying-uk.html

[bmcecosse]

The reason for 'no wet sanding' is that primer is not waterproof -it allows water through to the steel below - and indeed can hold water in the primer..... hence the advice above to dry sand it. If you are flatting down colour coats - then yes - wet sanding is ok there. But do dry it all up carefully - from seams and edges......

[alainmoran]

Thanks guys, these instructions seem useful

Although there's nothing quite as handy as someone peering over your shoulder and pointing out where you could do something slightly differently & get a better/easier result.

I'll see if I can get in contact with the branch local to the car and find out if anyone would be interested in offering me that kind of advice.