Basic painting advice...

[cps13]

Hi,

Sorry if this is too simple but I've never done painting like this before...

I have a compressor but I have never used it for spray painting. I have just purchased a spray gun for it with the intention of spraying a car bonnet and bumper.

I have already got hold of the paint and some old car parts to practice on but I have read conflicting methods/advice online, I was wondering if someone who actually knows how to do it or has done it could please help.

In between coats should you sand it, or use wet and dry paper? What grit paper should i use?

I understand I need to totally sand the surface and de-grease it but is there anything else I need to do?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated...

[SMARTMOTORSLTD]

sand it all down and finish on a 800 wet and day paper
dry and de-grease.
apply a coat at a time and allow a min inbetween coats
when you have covered with paint you might find some faint scratches left from courser paper
allow to completely dry. and lightly rub with wet and dry 1500
aplly more paint where needed.
ready to be laquered
not the most detailed but should help you on you way.
feel free to ask any more questions

[cps13]

thanks for your reply, very helpful.

Just a quick question, can you recommend what you use to de-grease the surface?

And, with regards to applying the lacquer, some people have said about mixing this in with the last coat, would you advise this?

thanks again!

[Wheelrepairit]

Panel wipe to degrease the surface

[Vette]

I really wouldn't recommend painting anything that you value if you've never done it before. Applying paint and lacquer may seem straightforward, but it isn't! It's best to practice on something for a few weeks/months before attempting a serious paint job. But to practice, you need to know what to do in the first place. How about going to night school to learn how to do it?

The reason we usually pay professionals to do specialised work is because they will do it better than we can. If you attempt to spray a bonnet without knowing exactly what you are doing, it will almost certainly end in tears. I strongly suggest you bite the bullet and pay a professional.
Good luck.

[7even]

In between coats should you sand it, or use wet and dry paper? What grit paper should i use?
depends if its water based or solvent paint that you have purchased

I understand I need to totally sand the surface and de-grease it but is there anything else I need to do?
key the surface with grey scotch is a good tip, you dont need to sand the panel, as long as you take the shine off it with the pad, the bonus with using the pad is you can use panel wipe to lubricate it if need be.