Paint or wait?
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Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Cary Nc
Paint or wait?
I have a 74 and about half of the paint on the car is not there anymore. I can see the fiberglass fibers, but they are smooth and not sticking up. Would it be wise to go ahead and get a paint job or wait until after I have done some restoration to the motor? I am thinking of doing the paint first so that it protects the fiberglass and doesn't leave it exposed for the elements. BUT if it really is not that big of a deal leaving it as exposed as it is, then I can wait and don't have to worry about the paint job while I work on the motor. Or maybe get a cheap paint job just to protect it and then get a good one after I am done with the engine bay work? 
Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 627
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From: North Carolina
I would get the mechanical stuff taken care of first, so you don't have the worry of messing up your paint while doing the engine over. Don't get a "cheap" paint job just to cover it, as it will only add extra cost later, as it will likely need to be sanded off before you get a "real" paint job.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
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From: Peoria Arizona
If you have bare fiberglass showing, you will need to be VERY careful of getting grease and oil on it while working on the engine compartment. If it soaks in, it will come back to haunt you later.
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From: Cary Nc
I did a little research and like the epoxy primer idea. I read that Dawn dish soap is good to wash the surfaces for dirt and such. I also do not have air guns or a compressor and was thinking the aerosol cans of epoxy primer looked like a good idea. I was either thinking of starting with the hood for practice and then doing the other exposed areas, but I also think it might just be a good idea to just primer the whole car. Thoughts?
I also am still looking up what to do before spraying the primer. I know to clean the surfaces of grease, dust, etc.... Dawn dish soap, but I also read to use a rough grit sand paper on the painted areas to help it grip. I assume the surfaces don't need to be that even since you sand the primer smooth before paint. I will continue to see if they have "how to" posts in the forum as well.
Thanks for the help!
I also am still looking up what to do before spraying the primer. I know to clean the surfaces of grease, dust, etc.... Dawn dish soap, but I also read to use a rough grit sand paper on the painted areas to help it grip. I assume the surfaces don't need to be that even since you sand the primer smooth before paint. I will continue to see if they have "how to" posts in the forum as well.
Thanks for the help!
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Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Cary Nc
I apologize for the lack of knowledge on the subject. This is all a first for me. I have only really dealt with mechanical problems and never tackled any type of painting. If you know any threads that can help me or websites, that would be great.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Cary Nc
OK, plan of attach:
Get an orbital sander with a rougher grit.
Lightly rough up the exposed fiberglass to help with bonding the epoxy to it
Rough up the existing portions that have paint on them
Smooth out all the transition spots where the painted portions meet the exposed fiberglass
Wash and rinse using Dawn dish soap and let dry
Finally us an aerosol epoxy primer and do the whole outside of the car
I will make sure to update on this thread when done!
Get an orbital sander with a rougher grit.
Lightly rough up the exposed fiberglass to help with bonding the epoxy to it
Rough up the existing portions that have paint on them
Smooth out all the transition spots where the painted portions meet the exposed fiberglass
Wash and rinse using Dawn dish soap and let dry
Finally us an aerosol epoxy primer and do the whole outside of the car
I will make sure to update on this thread when done!
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Cary Nc
OK, plan of attach:
Get an orbital sander with a rougher grit.
Wash and rinse using Dawn dish soap and let dry
Lightly rough up the exposed fiberglass to help with bonding the epoxy to it
Rough up the existing portions that have paint on them
Smooth out all the transition spots where the painted portions meet the exposed fiberglass
Wash and rinse using Dawn dish soap and let dry
Finally us an aerosol epoxy primer and do the whole outside of the car
I will make sure to update on this thread when done!
Get an orbital sander with a rougher grit.
Wash and rinse using Dawn dish soap and let dry
Lightly rough up the exposed fiberglass to help with bonding the epoxy to it
Rough up the existing portions that have paint on them
Smooth out all the transition spots where the painted portions meet the exposed fiberglass
Wash and rinse using Dawn dish soap and let dry
Finally us an aerosol epoxy primer and do the whole outside of the car
I will make sure to update on this thread when done!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,868
Likes: 13
From: Mascoutah IL
OK, plan of attach:
Wash and rinse using Dawn dish soap and let dry
Get an orbital sander with a rougher grit.
Lightly rough up the exposed fiberglass to help with bonding the epoxy to it
Rough up the existing portions that have paint on them
Smooth out all the transition spots where the painted portions meet the exposed fiberglass
Wash and rinse using Dawn dish soap and let dry
Finally us an aerosol epoxy primer and do the whole outside of the car
Thank you! Added
Wash and rinse using Dawn dish soap and let dry
Get an orbital sander with a rougher grit.
Lightly rough up the exposed fiberglass to help with bonding the epoxy to it
Rough up the existing portions that have paint on them
Smooth out all the transition spots where the painted portions meet the exposed fiberglass
Wash and rinse using Dawn dish soap and let dry
Finally us an aerosol epoxy primer and do the whole outside of the car
Thank you! Added
Rogman