I plan on rolling mine this summer like Aussie Driver did: https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/showthread.php?t=5199

Couple of things...

I doubt your compressor will run an HVLP to paint an entire car without running out of steam. Mine is 60 gal, 8hp and I can paint with my HVLP for about 8-10 minutes before it won't keep up. Plus, the longer you go, the hotter the air and that draws more moisture. Moisture = FAIL.

Second, you need a really good water/oil separator. Also, ANY oil in the lines, which is common, will fisheye the paint.

Third, stick with solid colors so you can sand. You can get a good paint job by putting on an extra coat or two so you have plenty to sand out any imperfections. Lots of elbow grease, but it can be done.

Finally, I don't know how it is in your area, but here in Lincoln, there are rental paint booths that go for $150-200 for the weekend. You might want to check around. You will wrap up close to that trying to wrap the carport in plastic and filters. Plus, you have good lighting and ventilation and plenty of air.

Already have the filters (i mean, fiberglass air filters aren't more than a few bucks for a box of them). I actually already have the plastic too from a home painting project.

I have a cheapish oil/water filter from Kobalt. So far/so good.

What is the SCFM rating of your compressor? Also, what is the rating of your gun? Some guns require more than others. The one I chose is less than 9 CFM. My compressor can put out almost 12. I'm hoping I'm okay there.

I'm looking forward to the project. :) Hopefully I'll learn a little with it. It doesn't have to be perfect, especially for a first effort. But it can't look worse than it does now.

My total investment will be in the paint itself, some masking and sanding supplies, and the HVLP gun (which i technically got for free by cashing in some credit card rewards points for some Home Depot gift cards). I wanted the air compressor for other tools anyway. :)

Even if it comes out completely crappy, I will have learned a lesson. lol.

Mine from two years ago!
 

I had to dredge up the thread from back when so you could see the progess and finished product.
Overall, I enjoyed it and would do it again - Just for the knowledge that it was done right.
https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3501

Damn Lola that came out fucking great! Nice job man! :)

Vash-

You're being sweet on me --- I figured if a paint shop can do it, then I should be able to.
Now, when it comes to Trigonomitry and Calculus- Forget It

wow, that did come out nice.

inspiration for sure. :)

Thank You for the compliments guys. Makes my heart warm!!!!!

+1

Gotta get my own bike, or hold on to my brother's while I do it though.

Chris

Great work Lola...
I plan on doin my car later this summer but I'm worried about doing Base coat clear coat since I don't have a nice clean garage with a lot of space. I'l probably just do single stage in the driveway. I've painted panels and bumpers before but this will be my first whole car and seeing lots of pics of driveway painters would real build my confience up so please keep them coming.. Also has anyone used that Cheap Ebay acrylic enamel single stage 1 gallon painters pack with thiner and hardner? Any thoughts?

PS. Sorry If I'm hi jacking the thread but I figure the info will help everyone out...

Painting right now with Rustoleum rolled on. We'll see, so far mixed feelings.

hrk

Show us pictures of the job (under construction), and the finished project!!!!

I will, when I get around using the camera again.

After 4 coats on the hood the bondo still shines through a bit, I am not too worried about that. The paint evens out pretty well after rolling, no worries in the applying bit at all. The shine is a bit "soft" at the moment. Maybe a bit milky. I am not experienced with bodywork and painting at all before this, so the expectations are about as low as the cost of the paint $7.84 and $10 for mineral spirit .

hrk

Ive painted my 240sx before. im in the process of doing body work and painting my friends 69 grand prix now

Some photos
http://www.russmarshall.com/v/cars/c...geViewsIndex=1
Images can be seen in 1600x1200 size.
Looks better on photos, but still reasonable in person. Paint evens out pretty well, dust, bugs and dirt are the problem in not so perfect unprepared garage. Another issue is coverage. It takes quite a few layers to cover the different colored areas with either bondo, primer or bare metal. After 5 or 6 they start to disappear.

I am sure the paint will end up ok
The next suspense will come from seeing how the car was taped... and then how it will stand weather.

Comments welcome.

hrk

Nice, are you sanding between coats ?
I read that other post from Aussie Driver as well and am having thoughts about attacking my car this summer...
What are your plans for finishing ? Buffing/waxing etc ?

I am sanding between every second coat, starting with 400 grit, 800, 1000 and 1500.
havent found any finer sandpapers locally yet.

The bad :
-Plan on doing an hour - hour and a half a day for 8 days to get the paint in after prep work.
The good:
-Applying is pretty easy and forgiving, just time consuming.
-No smells or huge mess, some dripping on the garage floor. no need to prepare garage extensively.

hrk

i was just going to comment on the roller jobs. i really want to try one of those.

just not on anything i own.

Nice job on the car. I did mine several summers ago. The painting was not bad, it was the hours of sanding the final coat. I found some 3M pads that worked real well for the final sanding, they are used to polish bowling balls I think. They were not cheap, but they really smooth out any swirls or imperfections.