DIY Painting Tips

[ChrisK]

To fix a dent, likely with bondo.

[ducpainter]

So you don't want to strip the tank completely. That's good, because the average DIYer can't do as much to prevent corrosion as the factory.

To remove paint for adhesion of filler use a disc sander...24-36 grit.

[ChrisK]

What do you mean I don't want to strip the tank completely? Doesn't the use of bondo require bare metal?

[ducpainter]

What do you mean I don't want to strip the tank completely? Doesn't the use of bondo require bare metal?

Yes...but...

How big is this dent?

I guess syntax was wrong.

You don't need to strip the entire tank to repair a dent.

[theoneillusion]

I've read through much of this thread and I'm about to go nuts trying to find the paint that I'd like. Too much fluff in all of the manufacturers terminology.

I'd like to do a simple solid color paintjob on my plastic S4RS tank. I know I will need to use adhesion promoter in a few spots that I sanded down to bare plastic and I'm ordering an LPH80 airbrush to go with my ROLAIR Bull compressor.

http://cdn.trendhunterstatic.com/thumbs/red-bull-helmet.jpeg

^This is the color scheme I'm attached to; an off-white of this shade and a similar red. I've been to a few websites and looked at the House of Kolor paint (because of the good word on it) and can't find a solid color similar to the off-white. What product should I use for this job (off-white, red, clear)? I would have never thought it so difficult to get some paint.

Thank you in advance for helping me save a few non-grey hairs.

[ducpainter]

I've read through much of this thread and I'm about to go nuts trying to find the paint that I'd like. Too much fluff in all of the manufacturers terminology.

I'd like to do a simple solid color paintjob on my plastic S4RS tank. I know I will need to use adhesion promoter in a few spots that I sanded down to bare plastic and I'm ordering an LPH80 airbrush to go with my ROLAIR Bull compressor.

http://cdn.trendhunterstatic.com/thumbs/red-bull-helmet.jpeg

^This is the color scheme I'm attached to; an off-white of this shade and a similar red. I've been to a few websites and looked at the House of Kolor paint (because of the good word on it) and can't find a solid color similar to the off-white. What product should I use for this job (off-white, red, clear)? I would have never thought it so difficult to get some paint.

Thank you in advance for helping me save a few non-grey hairs.

If it was easy everyone would be a painter. 

What materials are available to you locally?

You won't find that color on line.

[ChrisK]

How much paint is enough paint? I know this probably changes as you go between brands, but if I'm painting just the tank and seat cowl, how much of that color do I need? Is a 1/2 pint enough? Whole pint? Quart?

[ducpainter]

How much paint is enough paint? I know this probably changes as you go between brands, but if I'm painting just the tank and seat cowl, how much of that color do I need? Is a 1/2 pint enough? Whole pint? Quart?

It probably more depends on your equipment.

A pint will be plenty as long as you have a uniform base to spray over.

If the color you choose is a good hider, and you have the right color base, 1/2 pint might suffice but that might not allow you to change the color of the underside, and it would suck to run out 1/2 way through the last coat.

[ChrisK]

Planning on going forest green, is black primer the right base? Also, was going to spray the underside of the tank black. Given these three variables and me using a harbor freight HVLP gun will I be good to go with a 1/2 pint? Correction: SHOULD I be good to go?

[ducpainter]

Planning on going forest green, is black primer the right base? Also, was going to spray the underside of the tank black. Given these three variables and me using a harbor freight HVLP gun will I be good to go with a 1/2 pint? Correction: SHOULD I be good to go?

Uniformity is more important than the actual color. That said, I'd go with a grey for your green because base color can affect perceived color depending on lots of factors.

Yes, you should be OK if nothing goes south on you.

[theoneillusion]

If it was easy everyone would be a painter. 

What materials are available to you locally?

You won't find that color on line.

Everyday my respect grows for those who have various trades I encounter.

I've got HOK and PPG available locally.

[ducpainter]

Everyday my respect grows for those who have various trades I encounter.

I've got HOK and PPG available locally.

I would go into your PPG guy and ask to look at color chips.

Look at Porsche code 51A Cremeweiss, Mazda Marble White code A5M, BMW Pepper White code 850, and VW Harvest Moon code LB1M. All these are in the 2009 PPG chip book.

Ford used a cream color like that in the 70's, and I believe BMW or Mercedes had a very creamy white also. The problem you may encounter when looking for legacy colors is bc/cc availability.

The red will be much easier. Mazda had some reds very similar to what I saw in your link.

I think one of those will suit you.

[theoneillusion]

I would go into your PPG guy and ask to look at color chips.

Look at Porsche code 51A Cremeweiss, Mazda Marble White code A5M, BMW Pepper White code 850, and VW Harvest Moon code LB1M. All these are in the 2009 PPG chip book.

Ford used a cream color like that in the 70's, and I believe BMW or Mercedes had a very creamy white also. The problem you may encounter when looking for legacy colors is bc/cc availability.

The red will be much easier. Mazda had some reds very similar to what I saw in your link.

I think one of those will suit you.

Thank you! I'll drop by and check those out.

[ChrisK]

Two questions:

For spraying a matte clear, what's the process? Spray your color coats, then wetsand to a perfect surface and then spray the matte? There's nothing you can do to the matte after you've sprayed, correct?

Second, any chance you could post a pic of how you situate a tank for painting. In other words, what you set it on, what angle you have it at, etc. so that spraying it is as easy and efficient as possible.

[ducpainter]

Two questions:

For spraying a matte clear, what's the process? Spray your color coats, then wetsand to a perfect surface and then spray the matte? There's nothing you can do to the matte after you've sprayed, correct?

Second, any chance you could post a pic of how you situate a tank for painting. In other words, what you set it on, what angle you have it at, etc. so that spraying it is as easy and efficient as possible.

You shouldn't need to sand your base coat if you apply it properly. You can sand dust nibs but you'll need to reapply color. It is correct that you can't do anything to the clear.

I have a stand I made. It's nothing very special.


P2130034 by nh_painter, on Flickr

It orients the tank similarly to the way it sits on the bike. If you are painting the underside you can either do that first, or hang the tank by the hinge and do it all at once. I think hanging it is harder. It's tough to do a good job on a swinging target.