Painting Question

[b88dragon]

Hey everyone,

So i got a few questions for you guys for those who have ever done their own paint job, this is just an idea I'm throwing around right now and I just want some feed back and hopefully some questions answered.

First off, I have an 07 altima with the white satin pearl paint, and at the moment I want to know what are the steps into doing this kind of paint job.

Reason I'm asking is because I'm a DIY kind of guy, Where i've done my own retrofit, installed a few performance parts, did the window tinting myself, and some small vinyl work as well so therefore I want to take a crack at doing this kind of job jsut so I know I can do it but of course I will be starting off small before I move onto the bigger stuff.

So far from my research, I've found that the parts being painted needs to be sanded, bondo if needed, sanded again using a range of 600-1200 wet/dry girt sand paper, then applying the primer, the base coat then pearl mixture, then top it off with clear coat.

But what I really want to know is from the factory how many layers of primer/base coat was use? How many layers of the pearl and how many layers of the clear coat? If I can find those answer then I know how to tackle this project.

And also where can I go to order the paint product for the base coat? And if the primer and clear coat can be bought at any paint shops?

I found a website called touchuppaintonline.com that sells the primer, clear coat and paint, and wanted to know if the paint already has the pearl mixture in it or is it something separate completely? And if anyone has every ordered from this site before

I might have answered my own question, but I'm still in the dark and just need some clarification on this topic, any help would be much appreciated and I have thought of doing vinyl but I also what to know how to do a paint job as well.

Thanks again for those that took their time in reading this, Hope to hear some suggestions and thoughts into this.

[DJ_B_Easy]

Are you planning on painting the entire car or just a portion that has some damage?

Im all for the DIY, but paint I would never attempt myself.

[b88dragon]

well i want to paint my body kit myself and if it doesn't come out to great then i can always have the professionals do it. But from all my research it doesnt seem that hard...just prep very well and do nice even layers and taking time to do it correctly

[DJ_B_Easy]

I think its going to end up costing you more purchasing supplies and equipment (think prep, paint, spraygun, compressor, etc., etc.,) than if you were to just go to a shop outright. I'm no professional painter but I know its definitely an artform. No offense to you but I'd bet you aren't happy with the result you produce and then will be out cost of supplies, equipment, and payment to a shop to do it properly afterward.

Just my $0.02... but Godspeed if you do decide to do it yourself.

[mrodrig2]

Also consider if you have a clean and ventilated space to do this for both safety and to prevent dust and other things from contaminating the wet surface.

[DJ_B_Easy]

Also consider if you have a clean and ventilated space to do this for both safety and to prevent dust and other things from contaminating the wet surface.

This too. I didn't mention it when you said just the body kit, but it was my original reason for asking what you are painting. You can't just spray in your driveway.

[wade001]

Doing what you've done is good, but painting is a whole league from there. first off, you will end up paying at least 2K for the tools and supplies (decent quality), sure you can do it a bit cheaper, but it would be obvious and not good even if you did everything right. Then theres paint, the real stuff you have to mix, get it wrong and, well u figure it out, then there's color matching and thats not easier. then depending on the type of paint you have chemical vapors that are not good either, keeping contamination from drying paint isnt easy either. Then there are federal laws (in NY at least) that make it illegal to do that kind of thing without proper facilities. Then there is the job it's self, the people you pay to do this have done it for years, painting is not as simple as point and shoot, I would know because I have done it and it's not as easy as you probably think. I honestly suggest getting someone else to do it. that aside. painting is usually 2 primer-2-3 base coats-2 clearcoats. Painting is very detail orientated and the smallest thing can screw it up. You have to prep it perfectly and make sure there are no imperfections because it will show with the paint. then there is painting style and how you set up the gun. doing it right is critical for a good job. usually you do the filler-cure-sand-primer-cure-sand(if needed)-base coat (all layers before fully curing but enough time to solidify some b4 the next coat)- clear coat- initial drying- buffing- 1 month waiting for paint job to fully cure- then u can wax or whatever you want. Be ABSOLUTLY SURE the area is well ventelated, the stuff in paint is VERY BAD for you, professional painters are fully suited and have fresh full face air masks, not the ones with the canisters as those dont filter out the vapors. the vapors kill your brain cells, and you can get them without even breathing them it, even your eyes will absorb them. I'm really sorry if I really seem critical but painting is not to be taken lightly and can be very costly. I'm not saying you cant do it, but I think if your detail oriented you will regret doing it.

[b88dragon]

i really appreciate all these feedback from you guys, its good to get a different point of view and hear what others got to say, I just really want to put my body kit on hhahaha myself and what not.

maybe i'll just do a quick primer/base coat from a can so its white and put it on lol then get it done professionally when i can afford it .

[DJ_B_Easy]

maybe i'll just do a quick primer/base coat from a can so its white and put it on lol then get it done professionally when i can afford it .

I wouldnt even do this. When you do get it professionally painted it will probably make the prep a lot more difficult and time consuming for them, which in turn will cost you more money. Patience...

[b88dragon]

haha yeah...i figured that out as well....just i had the body kit for almost a yr now and i just really want it on but so many things came up financially with the family, living cost, etc...guess i can wait another yr or two until i can get it done properly.

Thanks everyone for their input on this, probably saved me a lot of headaches if i went through with this.

another question should i put it on as it is, or wait til its painted then have it installed?

[A_Hole]

I saw what you did with your interior and it came out very well. Have you thought about possibly wrapping it in vinyl until you can get it painted?

[b88dragon]

yeah I have, was thinking of doing that do, but dont know if the vinyl can be color match lol