small paint job
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 139
Likes: 3
From: Rockland County NY
small paint job
I'm considering painting a new left side fender myself. It's a small part and the rest of the car paint isn't in the best shape so I don't think I could mess it up too badly. It's also basic GM black and should be easily matched.
Is there any recommended stock spray can brand for small jobs?
TIA.
Is there any recommended stock spray can brand for small jobs?
TIA.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 109
From: Longmont Co
Probably not, but the color should match. I know black is black, but if it is sitting right next to the door and front fender, even a slight difference would worry me. I have thought about painting the same panels, and if I do I will use the dealer paint. Just my 2 cents.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 278
Likes: 17
From: Caledonia WI
My father painted cars for a living and, with the show 300 yds from the house, I spent a lot of time helping out.
Here are a few things:
1. You will NEVER get an exact color match. NEVER. (Unless you repaint the whole car)
This is because a number of factors, including weathering of the paint, inaccuracies in the color mixing and the like. Painting one whole panel, where you have a panel break or molding will help disguise this, as will feathering. But the fact remains, unless the entire car is painted using the same mixed batch of paint, you will NEVER have an exact color match.
2. Paint is paint is paint. DuPont, PPG, Martin Senior, etc. Sure, each mfg/shop has their own preference on who to use, but as long as you use the same manufacture as the dealer will give you, it does not matter what jobber you get the paint from. Dealer will likely be more expensive.
3. Prep, prep, prep. What seperates a good finish from a bad finish is 80% prep work. If you prep it right, have proper (not expensive) equipment and nominal skill, you can spray a very nice finish.
Here are a few things:
1. You will NEVER get an exact color match. NEVER. (Unless you repaint the whole car)
This is because a number of factors, including weathering of the paint, inaccuracies in the color mixing and the like. Painting one whole panel, where you have a panel break or molding will help disguise this, as will feathering. But the fact remains, unless the entire car is painted using the same mixed batch of paint, you will NEVER have an exact color match.
2. Paint is paint is paint. DuPont, PPG, Martin Senior, etc. Sure, each mfg/shop has their own preference on who to use, but as long as you use the same manufacture as the dealer will give you, it does not matter what jobber you get the paint from. Dealer will likely be more expensive.
3. Prep, prep, prep. What seperates a good finish from a bad finish is 80% prep work. If you prep it right, have proper (not expensive) equipment and nominal skill, you can spray a very nice finish.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
My father painted cars for a living and, with the show 300 yds from the house, I spent a lot of time helping out.
Here are a few things:
1. You will NEVER get an exact color match. NEVER. (Unless you repaint the whole car)
This is because a number of factors, including weathering of the paint, inaccuracies in the color mixing and the like. Painting one whole panel, where you have a panel break or molding will help disguise this, as will feathering. But the fact remains, unless the entire car is painted using the same mixed batch of paint, you will NEVER have an exact color match.
2. Paint is paint is paint. DuPont, PPG, Martin Senior, etc. Sure, each mfg/shop has their own preference on who to use, but as long as you use the same manufacture as the dealer will give you, it does not matter what jobber you get the paint from. Dealer will likely be more expensive.
3. Prep, prep, prep. What seperates a good finish from a bad finish is 80% prep work. If you prep it right, have proper (not expensive) equipment and nominal skill, you can spray a very nice finish.
Here are a few things:
1. You will NEVER get an exact color match. NEVER. (Unless you repaint the whole car)
This is because a number of factors, including weathering of the paint, inaccuracies in the color mixing and the like. Painting one whole panel, where you have a panel break or molding will help disguise this, as will feathering. But the fact remains, unless the entire car is painted using the same mixed batch of paint, you will NEVER have an exact color match.
2. Paint is paint is paint. DuPont, PPG, Martin Senior, etc. Sure, each mfg/shop has their own preference on who to use, but as long as you use the same manufacture as the dealer will give you, it does not matter what jobber you get the paint from. Dealer will likely be more expensive.
3. Prep, prep, prep. What seperates a good finish from a bad finish is 80% prep work. If you prep it right, have proper (not expensive) equipment and nominal skill, you can spray a very nice finish.
Im not sure i would use the dealer rattle can. If it is single stage (not base+clearcoat) it will probably weather really fast.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 877
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow Oklahoma
While it is rare to be able to "panel paint" it does happen occasionally, All paint companies have variants of the paint formula. 99% of the time you have to blend the panel so you don't notice the difference. A rattle can from the dealer more than likely will not match. You can take your gas tank lid to a paint store and have them match it, most have a color eye and can shoot the part.Sherwin/ Williams can convert to a single stage and load it into a spray can if you don't own a paint gun.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 7
From: Lahaina Hi
I have good luck with the rattle can from the dealer and it will buff out really good if you use the 3M fine cut rubbing compound polish and so on.I would go to the dealer and they have a company that mixes the paint in your area and they have done a close match on my tourch red.
Try it ! if it works you are a head of the game.
Try it ! if it works you are a head of the game.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
There are Many different shades of Black. Some blacks have more red, blue, yellow, browns etc... some blacks are very deep and dark. The previous owner of my Black Vette had the rear bumper painted and it was a blacker black, the original black was a brownish black and you could see the difference in the sun. I repainted everything to match the blacker black which I liked better.
You can get a close match by going to an automotive paint store and have them mix the correct color (which will be close enough without blending) and put it into a spray can. Then buy some automotive Clear in a spray can.
Sand the side panel with either 400-600 grit wet and spray the panel with enough coats to get the correct color depth to match the existing panels. After the color looks good, spray the clear from light to progressively medium wet coats until the panel is shiney (total=about 4 coats).
You can then color sand and buff the flat surfaces if any dust got in with 1000-1500 grit depending on how big the dust specks are.
You can get a close match by going to an automotive paint store and have them mix the correct color (which will be close enough without blending) and put it into a spray can. Then buy some automotive Clear in a spray can.
Sand the side panel with either 400-600 grit wet and spray the panel with enough coats to get the correct color depth to match the existing panels. After the color looks good, spray the clear from light to progressively medium wet coats until the panel is shiney (total=about 4 coats).
You can then color sand and buff the flat surfaces if any dust got in with 1000-1500 grit depending on how big the dust specks are.
Last edited by GKK; Jul 23, 2009 at 10:42 AM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 299
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa Ontario
I think he means the small piece with the vents on them just behind the front wheel.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
The Rear panels on any vehicle are called "Quarter panels". The Front panel sections above the wheels are called "Fenders" exceptions are for the C4 Corvette which is the clam shell hood.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 877
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow Oklahoma
I have successfully blended into the A pillar and the sail panel(above the quarter)Halfway up. The process involves using a blending solvent which basically melts the paint line. It is not a process for most people.It is not recommended to blend clear coat, in fact, most if not all paint companies will not warranty this type of repair.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
Yeah RLG?? Oh yeah??
dude (LOL) you are a pro...I'm not sure most of us weekend warriors could blend the clamshell.
GKK....I agree with you, I just couldn't imagine someone trying to blend that clamshell.
WHEN I paint mine (soon) I think I am going to have a shop paint the clamshell, you'll need a good amount of CFM to get that to flow out...it is really a large surface area.
dude (LOL) you are a pro...I'm not sure most of us weekend warriors could blend the clamshell.
GKK....I agree with you, I just couldn't imagine someone trying to blend that clamshell.
WHEN I paint mine (soon) I think I am going to have a shop paint the clamshell, you'll need a good amount of CFM to get that to flow out...it is really a large surface area.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 877
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow Oklahoma
Jhammons,
I wouldn't try to blend the clam shell either. It's easier to paint the whole dang thing. The only reason we blended in the areas I mentioned was we didn't want to paint the stupid roof of the car!!!
If you have a 6.5 horsepower/60 gallon tank you can paint all day long , that is what I use. I use SATA 2000 paint guns.
Base coat uses a 1.4 fluid tip and I use a 1.3 for clear
I have shot every brand of paint there is, I use Sherwin for several reasons. I was the sales rep for a few years and I get damn good pricing!!
If I can be of any help for anyone ,let me know
I wouldn't try to blend the clam shell either. It's easier to paint the whole dang thing. The only reason we blended in the areas I mentioned was we didn't want to paint the stupid roof of the car!!!
If you have a 6.5 horsepower/60 gallon tank you can paint all day long , that is what I use. I use SATA 2000 paint guns.
Base coat uses a 1.4 fluid tip and I use a 1.3 for clear
I have shot every brand of paint there is, I use Sherwin for several reasons. I was the sales rep for a few years and I get damn good pricing!!
If I can be of any help for anyone ,let me know
Corvette Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,790
Likes: 2,697
From: So. Cal.
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
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amazing painting results with spray bombs.
I am totally amazed some of you people use 
sprays bombs (cans) on a corvette.
Why not just do the job right?
Corvette Mike
sprays bombs (cans) on a corvette.Why not just do the job right?
Corvette Mike
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 299
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa Ontario
