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Teaching myself how to lay single stage

Texas charger 73

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i had to go at this 3 times before i finally got it where i wanted it.. its by no means perfect, but i can say i did it.. next i have to paint my front and rear valances since they still have yet to be painted
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i had to go at this 3 times before i finally got it where i wanted it.. its by no means perfect, but i can say i did it.. next i have to paint my front and rear valances since they still have yet to be painted View attachment 1150504 View attachment 1150505 View attachment 1150506 View attachment 1150507 View attachment 1150508 View attachment 1150509
Congrats, looks good!
I'm one of those that wants to do as much as I possibly can, good, bad, I still take pride in saying that I did it myself.
I hope you do too!
 
Congrats, looks good!
I'm one of those that wants to do as much as I possibly can, good, bad, I still take pride in saying that I did it myself.
I hope you do too!
yes sir.. other than the purple paint i have done all else.. interior, engine, rear end, Headliner(put in from a wheel chair).. i also go the honor of my car being on the cover and in the next issue(sept/oct) of Chrysler Power Magazine..
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i had to go at this 3 times before i finally got it where i wanted it.. its by no means perfect, but i can say i did it.. next i have to paint my front and rear valances since they still have yet to be painted View attachment 1150504 View attachment 1150505 View attachment 1150506 View attachment 1150507 View attachment 1150508 View attachment 1150509


It looks great sir. I just did the same thing back in April. Whole car. Check out the MN Gold thread. Still have a few areas that got a wee mottled, but enjoyed every bit of that cut and polish. Learned so much along the way.
 
I practiced on a junk yard hood with gloss color single stage.

It did take three times before I felt I could do it acceptably.

Then I painted the engine bay and tops of the fenders.

Valuable skill to have when paint shops are quoting $4500 and up for just paint work.

I got lucky and found a place that charged less, but I also got a break because they didn't need to do under the hood.
 
I learned on my own also back in the mid eighties when I was in high school
First on my 1970 Dodge Coronet , my first car that my dad bought me , then my second car that I purchased , my 1971 Superbee

Single Stage DuPont Centari from what I remember

Like you started with valances , hoods , engine compartment etc.
 
....as a noob, I'd say the number one issue with single stage is that initial flash coat. If you get froggy and skip that, and just go right in.....you'll be sorry. Lighting too.....and map out your coats. Mixing, prep and temperature. Debris, and cleanliness all play a part. Tape your damn sleeves! I dragged mine in a spot or two......and OMG I was pissed.
 
I painted some valances out at the airport where I was working
Couldn’t paint inside the Hangars , Airplanes

Just beautiful , I thought

Not even ten minutes later , a sprinkle of rain out of no where , like one cloud
Never forget

Still get teased about it today from the Mechanics
 
Looks good. Black is terrible prep. I also learned single stage as well. this was my 3rd paint job and feel comfortable doing it. I've now invested in a pop up tent and good equipment. I've got friends & family asking me to spray their cars and a few motorcycle tanks / fenders. A little extra cash in the pocket for another skill i guess.

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Looks good. Black is terrible prep. I also learned single stage as well. this was my 3rd paint job and feel comfortable doing it. I've now invested in a pop up tent and good equipment. I've got friends & family asking me to spray their cars and a few motorcycle tanks / fenders. A little extra cash in the pocket for another skill i guess.

View attachment 1150528
what gun you use?
 
Mine went from this to gold, a lot of patching panels and body work. The sealer and paint were pretty easy to apply and came out very well for a 1st timer.
I screwed up, I had a refrigerant drier but did not wait and tie it in the the system, and sprayed my clear with just a desiccant on the gun. I didn't drain the compressor prior too and ended up with a little fish eye.
Luckily I was able to cut and buff most of it out. Again I'm pretty happy with it.

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That is the spirit my Friend, school up the best you can, get the equipment needed and have at it. Life's best teacher. Other than car magazine articles for guidance , I am self taught in all the different aspects of auto restomoding. This will lead you into many other self undertakings. Your off to a good start.....great success to ya.....
 
Also learned how to sand out runs (via youtube).

Another valuable skill to have.
 
It is fun to learn how to do this stuff yourself. Congrats on giving it the effort.

Talk to a painter that is over 65 years old, that’s all they had back in the late 60’s early 70’s and they know how to work with single stage.

That’s how I learned to blend with single stage metallic paint. They did it everyday at work in 1972.

When some one tells you it can’t be done, it just means they don’t know how to do it.
 
what gun you use?

Just a cheap HVLC gun, i think i got it from Summit. i don't do it often enough to spend a lot on one, if it ever were to start acting up, i'd probally get a higher quality one but i maintain it and clean thoroughly after every use. i've had for 7~8 years now. i have a cheaper harbor freight as a back up , which sprays equally as well.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-02-12020
 
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The first time to do some single stage it came it excellent and that was without having the internet! The 2nd came out like crap but learned what I did wrong again without internet and just reading the paper work. The first time to do base/clear came out like a pro lol. Couldn't believe my eyes but had the internet for some help. :)
 
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