Currently I'm waiting for the base coat to cure a bit before I wet sand it.
Forgive me if I'm rambling, just speaking my mind atm...
If I don't wet sand the base coat, imperfections in the metallic would be more obvious,
i.e. the miniscule peaks that form from metallic stacking up would reflect light differently than areas where the metallic laid flat, and clear coat would only pronounce the effect.
The paint I'm using has a window in which I can work with it. 20 minutes minimum its ready to take on clear coat, 24 hours maximum before its excellent adhesion factor for fresh paint or clear diminishes.
The paint shop hooked me up with a quart of base coat mixed to the desired color code, some reducer for the base coat, clear coat and the hardener for that, a ratio cup, filtered paper funnels, stir sticks.
It helps to have gloves on hand (lol) during any pouring.
I've never handled a true paint gun nor have any previous body experience. Any and all body and paint work on this thread was taken by example from this forum and talking with and watching a professional briefly years ago. I'm just going by what I remember and what feels right.
If something could have been done better, let me know, I have another car in the future (944) that needs body and paint work.
I was very nervous about painting until i nutted up and commited, taking the ratio cup and pouring out a 1:1 ratio of base coat to reducer as recommended on the paint sheet that came with the base coat.
Actually, this turned out to be very fun and relaxing to do the paint myself, solving apprehension and taking pride in my own handy work. Its not the best, but it got done
My harbor freight gun, that previously leaked until i fitted an o-ring to the problem joint, has a 4 ounce can.
I was skeptical it was enough volume to do the bay without hopping out for a few refills. Turned out its about right for a light coat all the way around, or one and a half for heavy coverage.
In line to the gun, I added two filter deals that seperate water and oil from air. One was at the tank, the other at the gun.
Before I started all this bay work of degreasing and drying, I ran the compressor up and purged many times to remove the years of water and rust build up from within. Take caution that the rust water stains cement pretty well.
That way when I work I don't have to worry about adding crap to the newly degreased surface or having a failed paint job simply because I didn't clean out the compressor.
Another detail is to have a lot of paint thinner/acetone for cleaning the gun. Paint gets thick and needs thorough attention to prevent contaminating the next job.
Try not to breath it in too much, it has a way of wearing one out prematurely. I do a lot of my work in my well ventilated garage, and it still gets to me...
So, 2 base coats laid and now its time to wet sand, then wash, dry with compressed air, and apply 2-3 layers of clear coat.
And somewhere along the lines i'm ignoring that heart lurch feeling of dear-god-what-did-i-get-myself-into with a deep breath and smile, forging ahead that all is well LOLz
Git'r Done!
