Other DIY Paint Job for Beginners

Midlake Crisis

Midlake Crisis

Site Supporter
Location
Bakersfield, CA
I am finishing up some glass work on one of my skis and have it all stripped down and was thinking about getting it painted. A local shop gave me a ballpark estimate of $1750 to do a solid color. Not happening (did I mention I am frugal and that it is a 650sx?).

I have been enjoying the glass work so much that I think I may be ready to jump in to doing some painting but don't have a clue where to start.

I have a Harbor Freight budget and would like advice on things like minimum requirements for a compressor, what kind of gun and paint to buy, etc. I am not going to open a shop or paint for other people, and can't afford the "good stuff", I just want to paint my own skis / bikes / parts / etc.

Experienced input appreciated!
 
gto0209

gto0209

Location
wisconsin
The harbor freight 10 dollar gun can be made to work decent, lots of good videos on YouTube on how to improve it. You need an enormous compressor, especially for the cheaper guns.
 
Pablo

Pablo

sqeez bth levrs & lean bk
Site Supporter
Location
georgia
I painted my freak with a HF paint gun and it worked fine. Unless ur trying to mimic a fancy Chan paint job then ur fine. The HF gun will work well. I sprayed single stage HOK and it went on smooth and looked great. Take ur time and prep well.
 
Midlake Crisis

Midlake Crisis

Site Supporter
Location
Bakersfield, CA
pabloescobar said:
I painted my freak with a HF paint gun and it worked fine. Unless ur trying to mimic a fancy Chan paint job then ur fine. The HF gun will work well. I sprayed single stage HOK and it went on smooth and looked great. Take ur time and prep well.
Click to expand...
That is encouraging - what gun was it? How big of a compressor do you have?
 
S

StandupEd

Eddie would Tow
If you don't want to invest in spray equipment best bang for the buck hands down for a small project like a ski are the new 2 part spray cans. Use the two part primer ( one can ~$20), then use color coat from any source from duplicolor to Testors ,just be sure it is enamel not lacquer (~$40). You can get many colors for very little money for a complex design if you like. then Clear coat with the 2 part Clear. (2 cans ~$40) $100 total out the door. Best part..... NO clean up!!

Here is one company that sells them online, the video is good to watch. Most local auto paint stores stock similar products now as well.

http://www.eastwood.com/paints/2k-aero-spray-paints.html
 
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gto0209

gto0209

Location
wisconsin
go to a local body shop supply and tell them what you are looking to accomplish, the one by my house was very helpful, they got me set up with proper amounts of the right materials when I painted my first ski. I did two base coat clear coat urethane, very easy to spray, and forgiving for correcting mistakes. If you are not set on a color lots of places have quarts of paint mixed up that were the wrong color for a customer so they discount them heavily.
 
Midlake Crisis

Midlake Crisis

Site Supporter
Location
Bakersfield, CA
I think I am going to snatch up this deal at HF tomorrow, 2.5 HP, 21 Gallon, $160 with coupon this weekend
image_11489.jpg



And this 2 gun kit for $49

image_12134.jpg
 
Fro Diesel

Fro Diesel

creative control
Location
Kzoo
You are on the right track buddy. Just remember anyone can paint but what separates a decent job from the professional is only prep time.

If you get that compressor you might want to have a DA body sander and prep your surface with some more time and paper.

There are some great threads on building a paint booth in your garage/kitchen. Depending on marrital status. Some plastic and a couple fans can go a long way.
 
Vumad

Vumad

Super Hero, with a cape!
Location
St. Pete, FL
Do your body work with a sanding block, not a DA. Only use the DA to take down really thick areas of glass work. A right angle pnuematic grinder with disc attachments works very well for this. Both burn up a lot of air and that is a very weak compressor to be running those kinds of tools very long. Go light on the filler and hand sand it.

Angle grinder
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-angle-die-grinder-32046.html#.Uy42efldWSo

Sanding discs, and you need the attachment to use them
http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-o...t-lock-abrasive-discs-99578.html#.Uy42wvldWSo

Again, thats for taking down the big stuff. Don't do finish work with them.
 
Tampa_kirch

Tampa_kirch

Location
Tampa
do you sand the ski down to fiberglass or just scuff up the paint and layer over that?
 
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