Spray Painting... Tips

[John FISH Curtis]

I can do spanner work on cars but have kept away from spray painting.

 

Contemplating spraying the awfull centre console in the Exige and a couple of other interior peices over winter.

Centre console will be two colours.

 

Masking tape.

Spray paint.

Fine sand paper?

 

What else?

Tips?.... Dont want to mess this up!

[Daveb99]

Fish.....a few tips from my mostly successful attempts at spraying things over the years....it's pretty straightforward, but also easy to make a mess of it!

 

Preparation is everything - take your time using a suitable grade wet & dry to prepare the surface to be painted. Unless you want to try and remove the existing paint (if there is any) then something like 800 or 400 grit should do the job. Clean off the dust from this with something like meths or white spirit.

 

Use a good primer - always prime first, 2 light coats has always been enough for me. Don't hold the can too close or be tempted to try and cover it all with a thick coat, you will just get paint runs....

 

Top coat - 2-3 light coats is usually enough. Again keep a decent distance between the can and the surface.

 

Other usual stuff - do it in a well ventilated area, or wear a mask.

 

If the console is flexible plastic you may want to consider a flexible paint - I bought one to do my S1 gear lever surround as the previous owner had fitted a gear gate, which I hated - so I filled the holes with resin, sanded it all back and got a decent result with flexible paint.

 

Hope this helps mate.....I'm sure someone else will be along to offer better advice than this as I'm no expert..

[kieranexige]

As Dave has said Fish, its all in the prep.

 

 

Prepping the surface so its nice and smooth but has the ability for a good strong key of the paint.

 

Plastics are a hard one as Dave said but if you take your time you will be fine. The hardest thing with a can is to achieve a glossy gun finish. With many light dustings you end up with a satin style finish, so automatically you apply more , ending up with runs......

 

Good panel wipe and cloth is a must and working in a well ventilated dust free area.

 

Id also look at some superfine , 1500/ 2000 / 2500 grit wet and dry paper off a detailing supplier to wet sand it back once its had a good week to harden this time of year with no bake of a booth. Then just bring it back with compounds... hopefully to a deep gloss.

 

As if by magic....

 

 

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f92/painting-center-console-shifter-boot-upgrade-auxiliary-power-outlet-upgrade-diy-122302/

[Dr H]

Echo all the above.

 

The most difficult thing at this time of year is air temperature. You really need it to be around a minimum of 15 degrees air temp. If you have a well heated garage you might be OK. I've managed some stuff recently at 12 degrees but it's not been stuff that needs a super fine finish.

[John FISH Curtis]

As Dave has said Fish, its all in the prep.

 

 

Prepping the surface so its nice and smooth but has the ability for a good strong key of the paint.

 

Plastics are a hard one as Dave said but if you take your time you will be fine. The hardest thing with a can is to achieve a glossy gun finish. With many light dustings you end up with a satin style finish, so automatically you apply more , ending up with runs......

 

Good panel wipe and cloth is a must and working in a well ventilated dust free area.

 

Id also look at some superfine , 1500/ 2000 / 2500 grit wet and dry paper off a detailing supplier to wet sand it back once its had a good week to harden this time of year with no bake of a booth. Then just bring it back with compounds... hopefully to a deep gloss.

 

As if by magic....

 

 

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f92/painting-center-console-shifter-boot-upgrade-auxiliary-power-outlet-upgrade-diy-122302/

 

Thanks all and for the link Kieran.

 

Seems a lot of faff this painting malarkey, might be easier to pay a body shop.

[Bryno]

I do a lot of rattle can spraying on various projects, but for something sizable like the console which really needs a perfect and durable finish I'd leave it to the body shop.. 

 

As Dr H said, temperature is a problem now until spring, filling your workshop with dust is a PITA, you'll not get a proper durable finish unless you use 2K which you can't really do inside and you'll never achieve a body-shop quality finish on a big part IMO.

 

For the sake of £150 or so I'd leave the faff with someone else 

[John FISH Curtis]

Decided on not painting.

I'm getting the gearstick/handbrake surround plastic dipped, along with a few other items inside and outside the car.

Should be ready for March when the car is re-taxed.

[Mutley00]

Thanks all and for the link Kieran.

 

Seems a lot of faff this painting malarkey, might be easier to pay a body shop.

 

Fish. I had mine done in Tigger for £50 at a garage in Sheff. If you want to bring it to the next Club Lotus Meet at Baslow, I'll get it done for you. What colour is your car? My tunnel was boring silver (arent they all?) and I had it sprayed 'Tigger' Orange and it looks the buis