Paint advice, blending?

[Rob]

A mate has a banged up fiesta thats a real state and we've decided to learn how to paint on it and not worry about the mistakes.

Over the last few days we started on the front bumper, which had a load of paint chipped off one area, sanded it back, primered it, sanded it back and got it done again, but now when it came to painting obviously we had to mask an area, meaning once we'd painted it there was distinctive lines.

My question is how do i get rid of these lines? Cutting compound? T-Cut?

Also do i do this before or after i laquer?

Or do i Wet flat the lines out then laquer the area?

Heres a pic from littleC's thread (http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?t=414819) of him doing the same sort of thing, and the picture after is smooth.

 

[Gally]

You need to wet flatten the primer mate. :S
Are you using an aerosol can?

 

[Rob]

I've read enough to know how the process goes mate and what i've done so far seems ok, sanded down the area that was fooked, applied primer, wet flatted, repeated until blemishes were gone, applied nice layer of primer, flatted, left to harden, painted etc,

Now obviously there are distintive lines where i have and havent painted, just wondering how to fade these? And is this done before primering the new bit i assume?

And yeah it was all done with aerosol.

 

[Gally]

I've read enough to know how the process goes mate and what i've done so far seems ok, sanded down the area that was fooked, applied primer, wet flatted, repeated until blemishes were gone, applied nice layer of primer, flatted, left to harden, painted etc,

Now obviously there are distintive lines where i have and havent painted, just wondering how to fade these? And is this done before primering the new bit i assume?

And yeah it was all done with aerosol.

 

[Rob]

But what if i dont want to repaint the whole bumper? The lines are from where the masking tape was, so do i just flat these lines down, polish any marks out, and the laquer?

 

[Gally]

Like 2000 wet flattening paper then polish, it'll never work tho mate.

You need a machine polisher to take the best of blends out.

 

[Rob]

Its ok, we're not looking for a 100% perfect finish, its more of a learning experience, with just applying paint etc. The car is a real dog, it was once washed by someone with what was either wire wool, or a wire brush, and the whole bonnet/roof are f**ked.

I'll give the paper a go, and see how i get on, cheers.

 

[AlexG]

once you have it painted. sand back the edge and most of the lacquer on the panel then re-lacquer the whole panel. ?

 

[iimushroomzii]

If you dont mask it, it'll blend in alot easier.

 

[JCC]

Why did you mask up an area and not just paint the whole panel?

 

[rich-6]

Sand it off and start again, mask it up french style so the masking tape creates a vortex (does same as 3ms soft edge)

give a few coats of primer but dont prime to the edges of the tape

Remove the mask and flat it all off with 800 paying attention around the edge so you dont have any harsh lines,careful not to go though

Mask the area again a lot further out out from the primer and apply a few thin coats of paint over the primer feathering the edges, then laquer it and flick it out as you go

From a rattle can if you can get a speed blender which basically is 50/50 mix of thinners and laquer would help to melt the edges.

then you're best with the paint pretty soft tickle over it with 2000 to remove any OP being careful on your blend and buff it up with a machine or you arms if you want a lot of work

Its a lot of hassle from tins it would be a lot easier to use a gun and have a better finish

 

[Rob]

Why did you mask up an area and not just paint the whole panel?

From what i'd seen in littleC's thread it seemed possible to try and paint bits and then blend it in, being a s**t box i thought why not try it, and my friend is a poor student like me so trying to do it on a budget tbh.

If you dont mask it, it'll blend in alot easier.

This makes good sense now, although i just thought i'd make a right mess without masking, as i underestimated how much control you have with spray.

Sand it off and start again, mask it up french style so the masking tape creates a vortex (does same as 3ms soft edge)

give a few coats of primer but dont prime to the edges of the tape

Remove the mask and flat it all off with 800 paying attention around the edge so you dont have any harsh lines,careful not to go though

Mask the area again a lot further out out from the primer and apply a few thin coats of paint over the primer feathering the edges, then laquer it and flick it out as you go

From a rattle can if you can get a speed blender which basically is 50/50 mix of thinners and laquer would help to melt the edges.

then you're best with the paint pretty soft tickle over it with 2000 to remove any OP being careful on your blend and buff it up with a machine or you arms if you want a lot of work

Its a lot of hassle from tins it would be a lot easier to use a gun and have a better finish

Thanks a lot for this, makes a lot of sense and was pretty much what i'd decided needed to happen when i came back tonight after having a go for a bit. Just a few things, for a n00b....

French style? Care to elaborate?

Any OP? Would like this explained to?

Will be buffing with arms as its only a small area atm, and my mate loves a good challenge!

 

[Rob]

Just a quick daytime bump, as i realise no one see's things posted at 2a.m!

 

[rich-6]

French style = roll back masking,

Cue paint: Picture speaks a thousand words

OP= overspray

 

[Jungle_Jim]

if he has crap paint all over the car, why not just mask up the whole car and repaint all of it then you wont have to worry about blending it. matt black is fairly forgiving

 

[rich-6]

OP= overspray

Half asleep

OP is short for orangepeel

 

[jack_davey]

I still dont understand that ms paint diagram! lol!

 

[Rob]

French style = roll back masking,

Cue paint: Picture speaks a thousand words

OP= overspray

Thanks, although diagram is a little small/confusing it does make sense sorta???

Cheers for the previous advice, tonight i only masked up areas such as the bonnet etc and tried to blend it in properly, keyed slighlty more than the old painted section, i.e over the offending BLATANT lines, and went free style with the paint...

Can't begin to tell you how impressed i was with the results, first coat, seemed to be improving, but after another 2, slowing feathering the edges i was in shock, great result really.

So yeah, thanks for the advise everyone

if he has crap paint all over the car, why not just mask up the whole car and repaint all of it then you wont have to worry about blending it. matt black is fairly forgiving

Believe me i'd love to, but a) we're skint students, and b) being such a s**t box its a good learning experience, whether it be better to paint a whole panel or not, being able to blend paint in is something i know i'll find useful!

Next we have to buy a new (old) bonnet (after it opening on motorway) and spray that if necessary, then move onto roof and spoiler

 

[jack_davey]

So sorry the red bit is the masking tape? and it is curled over with the sticky side facing the work? and what does "feathering" the edges mean?

 

[Rob]

Easiest way to describe it would be just overspray by a little each time, allowing some of the new paint to go onto the old body work, and thinning it out slowly as it get further away from the area you have painted/touched up, creating a soft edge, and making a subtle transition from old to new.

I know gally has suggested a spray gun which is all good but if i got one wouldnt i need a compressor too? How much would this all set me back??

 

[pete_clio]

to fix the wing id say unless your a competant painted just to flatten the whole panel down, spray up with colout and laquer up and buff it afterwards....thats if ive gotten the jist of what your trying to do

 

[Rob]

The wing was just an example picture of someone elses car i got off here, i was working on a friend fiesta, lots more to do, but the bumper was finished last night and went really well, given me a lot of confidence to carry on perfecting my technique, soon i'll have a go on my car!!!

 

[rexe]

you will perfect it with rattle cans, and then when you go for a gun it will be starting allll over again lol. At least you will have more of an idea mind

Good luck with it and have a giggle and smile when you get a snotter