Triumphrat

clamp007 · 05-05-2008

I am trying to paint the side cover & oil tank back to the original black color on my 69 TR6.
I have had a quotes of $200 each & feel that surely this is something that I can do myself.
Can I just rattlecan spray them? What's the best way to prep them? I was thinking of just sanding them down by hand, spraying primer, then spraying them a gloss black. Any input would be appreciated.

Red1959 · 05-05-2008

I have seen excellent paint jobs with the rattle can. One of my ol Panheads had a custom paint job with art and images. I have seen my frien spray can 'gold leaf' and metalflake. My brother started his auto restoration carrer when he sprayed my 64 BSA back in 69 that looked excellent. Go to the library or some other source and learn the step by step way to paint or repaint. With a laquere paint there is more tecnique but the end result is worth it. I have a 1/2 a$3 paint job on my 59, but I knew in advance that I wasn't taking the time to do it right. On the other hand, I can sprayed a 66 BSA a metallic blue lacquer that I took the time (I was younger) to make it shine. Enamels come out pretty shiny out of the can, but you can't 'work' with it like you can laquer and it may run. You can spray enamels over lacquer but not laquer over enamel. For the fun of it, find a scrap piece of metal and practice. Another benefit from a do it yourself jobbie is if you scratch it while assembly or whatever, you have the know-how and tools to touch er up.
There is no doubt a how to paint on the internet, but nothing beats a book, you can read and learn while you're in bed or sitting on the can!

MisterJ115 · 05-05-2008

I sent my multicolor items out to a professional but I handled all of my black bits myself. What got me started was this link. I used his basic methodology but instead of lacquer I went with enamel without a clear coat as this is what the factory did. I went to my local PPG seller and he set me up to spray with my HVLP gun. The second time back he was able to package the paint in aerosol cans. The quality of the finish was the same but the ease of use was worlds easier with the aerosol can. Each can came out to about $15 which really wasn't too bad. Make sure you get a good mask though because this stuff can be nasty to breathe.

GrandPaulZ · 05-06-2008

$200 each? They must charge $50,000 to paint a Ford Pinto WITHOUT the flames!

Do them yourself. For $400 you can afford to repaint them every week from now till doomsday.

A reasonable painter will do them professionally for under $100 as long as you wait till they are doing some other Black project.

clamp007 · 05-07-2008

Thanks for some input here. What's are the steps in getting it prepped for the paint job? Then, do I use gray primer before painting black?

tnsen · 05-08-2008

clamp...its not that tough....first , strip off any old paint, or sandblast it all off...then use some wax and grease remover...or any solvent (laquer thinner would do it) wipe your work piece clean...then get some primer in the can ,any automotive primer would do, make sure it says "sandable",,, any color..spray several light coats..let dry, then wet sand using a high grit paper 1000 will do assuming there are no dings to fill or deep scratches, if so ... fill the dings with a bit of body filler...and the scraches you can sand after primer is applied...wet sand to smooth...you will be surprised how easy it is ...and you will feel better about doing it yourself...next just get your paint either from a can or spray with a hvlp gun.. inside away from dust and pollen (bad time for painting in michigan with all the pollen in the air) a single stage paint has a some clear in it already..and is more durable....base clear simply means first you spray your color..then you spray a clear over it...then wet sand 1500 or 2000 grit...then buff it out, im in the process of painting my bonnie right now....stay tuned for that one.....dont get me wrong, im no pro...just a rookie, but i invested in a gun (hvlp), and did a bit of asking and reading....so hey if i can do it..........Tom