Priming before Paint (a bit long)
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Garland Texas
Priming before Paint (a bit long)
I'm getting my '79 (body off) ready for piant. I want to prime everything myself then just have the paint applied by a shop. I have to remove minor rust around the front window frame and sand everything else.
Question is if I use a rust converter on the metal and clean the whole body really well does it matter how good the primer is applied as long as it is adhered well? I'm going to use an epoxy primer and shoot it with an in-expensive gun. I'll do all the sanding to get a good straight surface. I read the post in the Tech section on painting and it sounded pretty easy and straight forward. I would think as long as the primer is stuck and smooth that would be all that is needed.
Am I missing anything?
Question is if I use a rust converter on the metal and clean the whole body really well does it matter how good the primer is applied as long as it is adhered well? I'm going to use an epoxy primer and shoot it with an in-expensive gun. I'll do all the sanding to get a good straight surface. I read the post in the Tech section on painting and it sounded pretty easy and straight forward. I would think as long as the primer is stuck and smooth that would be all that is needed.
Am I missing anything?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
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From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
#1 you need to verify with whom ever is going to spray if this is acceptable,
most paint shops will not guarantee any paint job, some will not accept previous prep work at all, if someone else does the prep and prime.
#2 if you have the skill and facilities to prime it properly,
go and paint it yourself, you have 3/4 of the work done.
by the time you spray 2-3 coats of primer, you will have developed enough skill to spray the paint. I just finished spraying my own car this summer.
most paint shops will not guarantee any paint job, some will not accept previous prep work at all, if someone else does the prep and prime.
#2 if you have the skill and facilities to prime it properly,
go and paint it yourself, you have 3/4 of the work done.
by the time you spray 2-3 coats of primer, you will have developed enough skill to spray the paint. I just finished spraying my own car this summer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Might be missing a lot. How many times has your car been painted already? Is there any stress cracking or other damage to the body? If the paint is original is it cracked or crazed? If it is a repaint, what was used last time and will epoxy primer eat the old paint meaning you MUST strip before new paint? If the car is clean and waxed, can you see any old bodywork peeking through the old paint... any bubbles, sand scratches or waves from poor repair? Failure to address any issues with the surface before applying a new topcoat will insure the reappearance of those issues in the new paint. You can definitely do this yourself... just go in knowing all the possibitlties for extra work that might be hiding under the shine there now.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Garland Texas
The paint was original accept for a minor left corner accident from the previous owners. I am currently stripping the body. There is very minor body work to do which I plan on doing myself. The panel bond lines are very good, but I plan to give them some added attention to be sure. I will be disassembling the total body. I don't want any tape lines or unpainted edges.
Zwede used the shop I plan on using and his car was already primed so they will do the paint only. I wanted to do the priming since there will be some exposed metal and glass during all the prep. I figured these exposed areas needed to be protected ASAP after being cleaned and readied, especially the hard to reach areas such as the door hinges (which I'm leaving on the body).
I don't have the space to do a paint job like I want. I thought that the primer could be sprayed and sanded to a good finish even though the orignal spraying may not be perfect.
Zwede used the shop I plan on using and his car was already primed so they will do the paint only. I wanted to do the priming since there will be some exposed metal and glass during all the prep. I figured these exposed areas needed to be protected ASAP after being cleaned and readied, especially the hard to reach areas such as the door hinges (which I'm leaving on the body).
I don't have the space to do a paint job like I want. I thought that the primer could be sprayed and sanded to a good finish even though the orignal spraying may not be perfect.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Yes, primer is forgiving of surface texture because much of it will be removed anyway. Strive for as smooth as you can because it will level easier... much less work. Be certain to follow any recommendation from the paint shop as to what grit surface they desire, etc. Be really picky about the small details... they separate the great paint jobs from the mundane!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 62
From: West Kingston RI
#1 you need to verify with whom ever is going to spray if this is acceptable,
most paint shops will not guarantee any paint job, some will not accept previous prep work at all, if someone else does the prep and prime.
#2 if you have the skill and facilities to prime it properly,
go and paint it yourself, you have 3/4 of the work done.
by the time you spray 2-3 coats of primer, you will have developed enough skill to spray the paint. I just finished spraying my own car this summer.
most paint shops will not guarantee any paint job, some will not accept previous prep work at all, if someone else does the prep and prime.
#2 if you have the skill and facilities to prime it properly,
go and paint it yourself, you have 3/4 of the work done.
by the time you spray 2-3 coats of primer, you will have developed enough skill to spray the paint. I just finished spraying my own car this summer.
Get an old hood or other body panel and practice. There are lots of experts, I'm not one, that are willing to give good advice. 
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
the only way to prep the hinge area is to remove the doors, leave the hinges on the car
and remove the doors, mark the bolt locations with a sharpy pen,
and that will help you put the doors back into alignment.
If you don't remove them you can not paint the front side of the door.
Now, if your shooting the same color you might get by without removing doors.
Put you will be able to see the differance.
personally I consider that taking a short cut, on a properly done paint job.
69VETT
and remove the doors, mark the bolt locations with a sharpy pen,
and that will help you put the doors back into alignment.
If you don't remove them you can not paint the front side of the door.
Now, if your shooting the same color you might get by without removing doors.
Put you will be able to see the differance.
personally I consider that taking a short cut, on a properly done paint job.
69VETT