[dougie_gtv]

Hi,

I received my new GTV spoiler through the post and I need to paint it (Long story short, it's pearlescent silver and I thought it was just plain silver when I bought it! ).

Anyway, I've got no experience of spraypainting, but I've watched a few demos on YouTube and it certainly feels like I should be capable of doing the job. I'd never attempt spraypainting on the actual car, but I'm thinking a worst case scenario of me mucking it up and having to take it to a bodyshop to get it done by a professional.

Alternatively I could save myself the hassle in the first place and take it to a bodyshop to get painted and fitted but I'm guessing that will cost £100+.

Is it worth the bother of me attempting to do this?

Any advice/hints/tips welcomed!

 

[Turtle4288]

Hello,

I've painted a few bits... its well worth a go if you are very patient with it!!

Concentrate on the prep, get it really nice and smoothly sanded down so it feels all silky and not glossy. Then use a primer... this is also a chance to practice your spraying technique: not too close to the surface, spray past it and dont let it run (lots of thin coats, 15min between). If the primer runs it's no bother, just let it dry and sand it really smooth again, the ugliness will be covered up by the top coat.

Final coats with the silver paint it's critical to not let it run even once or you may have to start again, so concentrate on lots of thin coats.

Don't know about laquer... I have never done it apart from on my bike frame where it really made an excellent finish.

Good fun if you're up for it, but if you value your time at £20 an hour then you're better off going to a paint shop because it might cost less.

 

[Guest]

I've painted lots of crap before and it always turns out sh1te.

I've spent the time preping it correctly and done everything to the book but if you don't paint it in a booth moisture WILL get in and cause pin pricking. Then there's the case of having an oven to bake it.

If the cars a goodun get it done professionally. If it's a bit tatty already then maybe you can get away with painting it yourself

 

[Guest]

I wouldn't bother with metallic. Bite the bullet and save for a pro job.

 

[Ralf S.]

The important thing is to build up the coats.

First flatten the surface to provide a key. Use 4000 - 6000 grade wet and dry paper. You don't need to remove all the paint.. just get in matt, so your primer will stick.

Primer - you want a grey or white primer. Build it up using about 6 coats in total, allowing plenty of time to let each coat dry. The primer coat should be the thickest.

When it's bone dry (the following weekend?) use some 8000 grade wet and dry paper to smooth it down. It should be silky smooth now and blemish free. Paint won't cover up any blemishes.. so if you can't get one out, use more primer on that area to cover it. Allow it to dryagain and repeat with the wet and dry paper.

Spray the beast silver. Use 2 or 3 really thin coats. so that it covers all the primer and isn't see-thru'.

It's not that simple to smooth metallic paint.. but while it's drying, invest in some T-cut or Rubbing compund from the Big H. You need to remove the pimples of paint that you'll be able to feel with your hand when you run it over the surface. Rubbing compound is essentially a coarse polish. You must let the paint dry thoroughly. Don't rub it too much or your primer coat will start to show through.

Lacquer is as above. Build up a good few coats, making sure it doesn't run. This is especially important now.

Finally when it's dry, use that 8000 wet and dry paper, followed by a touch of rubbing compound, followed by a very mild polish like Autoglym Super Resin polish. The beast should have a deep and lustrous shine..


Ralf S.

 

[CG Trading]

don't attempt this yourself get it done professionally, even £150 fitted is worth it IMO.

Clive

 

[dougie_gtv]

don't attempt this yourself get it done professionally, even £150 fitted is worth it IMO.

Clive

Thanks for the advice. I'm strongly leaning to getting it done professionally. The chances of me doing a perfect job are slim and it's not going on my car unless it's perfect so bit of a no-brainer really.

 

[Turtle4288]

Depends on your outlook... how many hours free time do you have and would you like to learn to spray paint?

My dad would tell me "£150 is a lot of beer, Mike"

 

[dougie_gtv]

I'd love to give it a go, but in reality I value my time too much. Plus it's just another job for my perpetual home/car to-do list!