I have a black c5 and would like to repaint just the door sills where they get scuffed from getting in and out. What prep do I need and what type of paint and how many coats of each, assuming I will use clear coat? thanks
I am a complete novice.

 

I have to ask...but knowing that you are a 'novice' as you put it. Do you have any tools...such as paint guns air compressor, etc???

There are ways of doing this without some specific tools...but you are now gettign into an area that I have a hard time telling someone to go to a paint store that can mix up paint and use one of those aerosol attachments and use it like a 'rattle can'.

Also be aware that the black has variants to it and it is not just 'black'.

I do not know if you have any deep gouges which also changes the repair process. Is it deeply scratched /gouged????

And with you being a novice...I would advise you that you practice with whatever method you plan on using to fix this BEFORE you actually go in and paint your car.

I can understand that you want to do this....but also keep in mind taking it to a body shop that does it all the time....it can actually be more cost effective letting someone else do it.

I also know some people who will go out and buy aerosol paint and clear and shoot it. I am NOT saying that that can not be done....but you might find that it may work for a while and begin to fail due to the type of paint that was used or the lack of sufficient coats of clear. The one good thing you have going for you is that it is in the door jamb where the sun is not getting on it.

Also keep in mind I do this for a living so me using an aerosol paint and clear in your door jamb would not happen in my shop. I would use good materials so I know the paint/clear would last.

DUB

 

Thanks for the quick response. I do have a compressor and a cheap harbor freight gun. There are no gouges but there are some worn spots and scuffs. I was hoping to scotch pad and shoot some color and clear if possible The color is the GM U41 if that makes sense. Again thanks for any info as far as type of paint how many coats etc.

 

Keep in mind that if you can feel any scratches or scuffs...they will be seen when you paint it. That is not my opinion...but rather... how it is.

If you are a person who sprays interior conditioners...keep in mind that that spray could possible have gotten on this area. And if you paint on it. It will cause your paint to 'fish-eye' which is not good. So properly cleaning the area BEFORE you prep it is highly advised so you are not grinding that stuff into the paint. That is step one.

Now due to not being there and being able to feel the scratches and so on. I can not totally say that a gray Scotch-brite pad would no work. I would NOT use a red Scotch-brite due to it is more aggressive and it would need to have a primer applied on it and then prepped again for paint. If the gray Scotch-brite pad does not do the trick...I would wet-sand the area with 500 grit WET and try to smooth out the imperfectios WITHPOU taking allteh paint adn priemr down toteh bare SMC.

Soemthimes it happens adn oyu just have tioa dn this will require teh area rto be primer sor sealed before painting.

I am writing teh best I can beacsue ther are many vairtables taht I do not knwo wioll apply here or not apply.

AS for the amount of paint..that is when you have to shoot a test panel and get your gun set so it goes on as you need it to. And as for the clear...the same goes for it. I can not say 2 coats of this and 3 coats of that due to some propel shoot with a heavy hand and apply A LOT of paint while others do not. SO...this is why you need to find what works for you and the paint you are using.

You will more than likely sue a basecoat paint with clearcoat. I do not know what type of paint you can get...such as NEXA, PPG, and so on.

DUB

 

I thank you for taking the time to help me. I think I will let a pro do it. I didn't think it was going to be that difficult. Its a really nice car and I don't want to do a 1/2 assed job lol . thanks again ........