>From another do-it at-home guy, Rick's advice is excellent. Just don't
be afraid to re-do until you get it right.
Jim
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rick" <rpatton@clinic.net>
To: "6pack" <6pack@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2002 11:58 PM
Subject: DIY painting -- equipment?
> Graham,
>
> I'm just finishing up my TR6 project that included painting it at
home. It's
> not perfect but I have the satisfaction of doing it myself and
learning a
> new skill (well -still learning). Much of the paint trials and
tribulations
> are on my web page http://users.clinic.net/~rpatton/paint.htm
>
> The web site isn't quite up to date but the painting section explains
what
> has been done. My air compressor is adequate for painting (4.5 HP
single
> stage) but isn't nearly large enough to run an air sander for more
than a
> few minutes. I now own three spray guns; a touch up gun, a traditional
1
> quart gun, and a HVLP gun. You can probably do without the traditional
1 qt
> gun. A touch up gun is good to get started and it doesn't require a
huge
> compressor.
>
> In the restoration I used a 3" pneumatic cut-off tool (very very
handy), a
> pneumatic 4.5" disc sander, a board sander, and a dual action sander.
They
> can all easily out run my little compressor. Sandblasting can only be
done
> in three minute bursts. As Steve suggested earlier, a 6.5 hp
compressor is a
> better choice with the largest tank available. Someday I'd like to
have a 2
> stage 7.5 hp compressor! You will also want a good regulator and an in
line
> air drier. I used small disposable driers right on the gun.
>
> If you look at my web page you'll see that the paint fumes really got
to me.
> You need to be very careful so spend some extra money and get a good
> respirator mask with replaceable carbon filters. ONLY a fresh air
supplied
> mask is approved for modern two part paints that use a hardener. That
said,
> most body shops around here use a standard paint mask (3M or SAS) with
> replaceable carbon filters. The carbon filters have a short life when
> exposed to the air so they should be changed often and the mask stored
in a
> sealed plastic bag. Ask your paint supplier about a respirator for the
paint
> you will be using.
>
> I used Martin Senour paint from NAPA Auto Parts. Great paints,
friendly
> knowledable staff, and a wicked good discount (I own the store). I can
only
> speak for my store, but we have Triumph color charts as well as
thousands of
> others, custom colors, multi-tone (color changing paints - eh Shane?),
and a
> spectrometer to match just about any color. We can even match paint to
make
> your TR6 the same color as that classic 1972 avocado refrigerator! Our
staff
> is quick to offer advice and make recommendations to novice painters.
I
> suspect that any larger parts store dealing in paint will offer the
same.
>
> A last thought is to see if you can spend a little time with a
professional
> painter. The things that are tough to figure out by yourself is how to
> properly adjust the gun, overlap patterns, preparation, coating
thickness,
> etc. A friend came over to get me started and in the short time he was
here
> I learned a great deal.
>
> Good luck with your project. Still learning,
>
> Rick Patton
> Brunswick Maine
> 75 Delft Blue TR6
> http://users.clinic.net/~rpatton
> patton@suscom-maine.net
>
> Behalf Of Vink, Graham
> Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2002 7:52 AM
> To: Triumph Six-Pack (E-mail)
> >Subject: DIY painting -- equipment?
>
>
> >Hello listers,
> >
> >I am contemplating buying the necessary equipment for DIY painting,
partly
> >so that I can "practice" on some of my other cars doing touch-ups,
etc.,
> >before attemping a complete paint job.
> >
> >What equipment would you recommend?
> >
> >- --what size/quality compressor?
> >- --regular spray gun or HVLP -- and does that affect compressor
choice?
> >- --would a "detail gun" or airbrush be more useful for touchups,
working
> in
> >engine compartment, etc.?
> >
> >I'm aware that if I get serious and start using two-pack paints that
I
> >also
> >will need a fresh-air respirator.
> >
> >All comments appreciated. thanks.
> >
> >Graham
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