my first time

[ahbongkeo]

Painted a car for the first time with the help of a friend. We did it in my dad's old barn with temperature around the 50s. With that being said, the car ended up with a lot of paint runs. I remember a member from here used the 3m paint finishing system, so i decided to try it out.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/e ... erfect-It/

i did exactly as stated in the dvd that came with the kit. Wet sanded using the 1500, then 3000. It wasn't so bad, however some runs didn't completely come off.

My problem is , it took me two hours of buffering and all i got done was a little corner of my hood. i am having a hard time getting the sand marks to come off. Please tell me there's an easier way to do this. Or do i have to continue buffing it until it comes off. Because they do come off, but it takes forever....

pic 1- http://www.flickr.com/photos/35150103@N04/5190947910/
paint runs-gave up on trying to get rid of it completely; sand marks - anyone with any tips on how i can easily get rid of these? the other red box is me getting too happy with the DA sander- you can see the previous color on the fender.

other pics
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35150103@N ... otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35150103@N ... otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35150103@N ... otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35150103@N ... otostream/

[Dattebayo]

I loled.

[Razi]

Why did you paint when it was 50 degrees outside?
Also, if you're getting runs in your paint, you need to practice painting some more before doing you car!

I'd strip the paint and start all over again when it's warmer.

[ahbongkeo]

Didn't want to drive a two tone car after i did the conversion. My friend wasn't around to help in the summer, so i figured i learn as much as i can now and redo it again next year. Living in new england, i dont get the all year round heat.

[Jesda]

I found a local paint/body guy that's cheaper than Maaco with much better skill. Head over to Craigslist.

[ahbongkeo]

You may want to consider taking your car to Maaco. They'd honestly do a better job than trying to do it yourself.

haven't heard much good things about macco, but i will look into it. just wanted to get my hands on and feel a sense of accomplishment. so far, i'm terrible at this.

[alms24sebring]

I found a local paint/body guy that's cheaper than Maaco with much better skill. Head over to Craigslist.

You might have a pointthere but that is always a risk

[ahbongkeo]

any autobody expert in here? how hard is it to learn and get a decent finish on a car vs. going to the professional? cause i would like to learn how to do this on my own.

[S13_love]

Life would be a lot easier for you if you found a place to paint that where its warmer than 50 degrees.

Also, if you're getting runs in your paint, you need to practice painting some more before doing you car!

I'd strip the paint and start all over again when it's warmer.

If it's just the clear coat that he ran, then there's really no need to "strip" the paint. All he really needs to do is just sand it w/ 1000 grit (with a da) and knock down those runs ALL the way without burning through; scuff the edges and just respray the clear.

Honestly, imo...you should have gone to a junkyard...picked up a semi-decent hood and door or fender to practice painting on first.

Painting a car isn't as simple as it may appear to some. There's actually A LOT to it.

how hard is it to learn and get a decent finish on a car vs. going to the professional? cause i would like to learn how to do this on my own.

If you want to do this own your own. Go ahead...but seeing it as how you're still new to this...don't exactly expect the finish to be "really good"/"amazing".

But if you went to a professional, they'll be able to do it right the first time.


Edit: From what I seen from those pics, you didn't do too terribly bad...but you still need more practice that's for sure.

Double Edit: Ugh, just realized those pics were taken at night? Pics taken during the day would show a lot more i would bet.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

Lol, Maaco.