Post by grumpynorthener on Oct 13, 2023 19:06:53 GMT
Ray - A quick keying up and apply a wipe of either Cromex or Dolphin over it - once cured just flat it back and a quick squirt of primer will see you good to go
Ray - A quick keying up and apply a wipe of either Cromex or Dolphin over it - once cured just flat it back and a quick squirt of primer will see you good to go
Still struggling with the low temperatures causing problems spraying the car. Second attempt on the rear wings resulted in the paint coming out the gun an large droplets and that was after trying to heat the paint first. Eventually after thinning the paint even more it started to spray much better. However result was more orange peel than before and not so much runs but more like an avalanche.
Started on the runs using a video from Youtube and actually managed very well until I rubbed through on an edge when flatting back the orange peel. Did that on both sides so another repaint is on the cards. Pictures will follow later. (tomorrow probably)
Last winter or the one before Chris recommended NORDE thermals but they were out of stock when I tried to buy some. Bought some now and they arrived today when I was out.
Tried them tonight when I got home and they are very good. Currently reclined on the sofa and I am toasty. Not got the heating on yet and the room temperature is 14.2 so they must be good.
Going to heat the paint at home and try to keep it warm in the car footwell on my way to the barn. Turn the diesel heater on to blow hot air into the tent and use the heater exhaust to get the paint as warm as possible and try again. Already had to buy another 2 litres of paint so another £124 down the drain and need to get it right tomorrow. Third time lucky maybe.
Temperature in the barn was 7.7C this morning and it took the diesel heater from 9am until 12 noon to get it up to 14C. During this time I used the exhaust on the heater to warm the paint and moved the car as far as possible to one side and got one wing painted. Mist coat and 2 proper coats. Then moved the car as far as possible to the other side and repositioned the lights and painted the other side wing. Still got some orange peel in places and a couple of sags but easily fixed when it hardens. Had a little paint left in the pot which was just enough for 1 coat on the underside of the bonnet. All was looking good until I noticed something (lighting cable or airline) had touched the wing so hoping that will flat out and polish ok.
Before painting the wings again I had a few runs to take care of and found this video on Youtube which I found to be very good. It worked perfectly and I will be confident of sorting any runs when I next get them.
Post by grumpynorthener on Oct 27, 2023 6:50:42 GMT
Keep at it Ray - painting can be a real challenge - Its not just a matter of squirting paint out of the end of a spray gun which the majority of people think is how its done - You are doing really well despite the few mishaps along the way - believe me it all very much happens in the professional world too !
Further to the Youtube link I previously posted about removing paint runs I had 2 in the nearside door which I painted some weeks ago. So it was time to have a bash at them yesterday.
Initial photo doesn't show the run very well but the later ones do.
Dolphin Glaze applied over the run and surrounding area. Mistake I made was not feathering out the edges when spreading it which made the job harder than necessary.
And the one closer to the hinge end.
Initial rubbing back shows the run better.
Almost gone.
The other run was tackled in the same way.
Both done. Need to flat back a bit more to remove more orange peel the then a good compound and polish. (when I am 100% finished painting as keeping well away from the car with anything containing silicone) The hazy faint circle seen in some of the pics is something inside the lens.
And that is it. Not difficult, just a case of taking your time. Would recommend watching the video on Youtube if you need to do this. (Link is in the post above)
The first things I ever sprayed were the boot floor, engine bay and screen area and front panel. All of which came out well with no orange peel but they were done when the weather was much warmer then now. I think my problems with excessive orange peel is down to the cold weather making the paint thicker or less able to flow but what do I know.
I think my problems with excessive orange peel is down to the cold weather making the paint thicker or less able to flow but what do I know.
Everything - That's exactly why the paint is going on thick / not flowing out
Hi Chris. Other than trying to heat the paint and the panels as best I can is my best bet adding more thinners and applying more coats (as you previously suggested) to make up for thinning the paint?
Post by grumpynorthener on Oct 28, 2023 19:45:55 GMT
Ray - Personally I wouldn't heat the paint at all - it leaves too many variables of temperature and the paint is effectively being cooled by the compressed air / gun canister as you spray it - hence it looks thin enough as it goes into the pot but as you spray it its rapidly cooling and in turn becoming greater in density / viscosity - The other probably not so obvious thing that is happening is that you are greatly accelerating the chemical reaction between the paint & the hardener by heating the paint - hence giving little chance for the paint to flow out - It's simply curing too quickly hence the heavy orange peel type finish - Just stick to thinners - With the Lechler 2 pack paint / direct gloss system that I use I thin to around 4% in summer and around 7% in cooler conditions but this is variable and depends on the paint manufacture / system type - Both under thinning & over thinning can bring about a number of problems - You cant layer paint on that is thinned - 3 lighter coats with a good flash off time between each coat is what I would advise but only with the use of a fast / super fast hardener
Today was forecast to be relatively mild and indeed it was much warmer than yesterday. Spent a few hours in the morning on the final preparation for painting the underside of the bonnet (had previously given it one coat to use up some paint left over in the gun) the underside of the boot lid and both doors. Had the diesel warm air heater running for about 3 hours and got the temperature inside the tent up to 15C before I started spraying. Turned out pretty good by my standards.
Had a play about with pressures and ended up spraying at a lower pressure than before which seems better. Also did 3 lighter coats rather than 2 heavy coats. Will still need to flat and polish eventually but that's not a problem. What is a problem is that I used the wrong ratio of paint to hardener when I repainted the rear wings (stupid mistake) and that is not looking good. The bulk of the wings have dried ok and I have flatted back a small section ok but where I have a run the paint is still very soft. I had the heater on it yesterday for 2 hours and thought it had helped as previously I could stick my nail into the run and leave a mark but it was dark last night when I turned the heater off and I thought it was ok but in daylight I can still dent the run. Might have to sand it all back off and do it again.
Spent way longer than I should have today doing a final dry build to check the fit of the front wings, bonnet, front panel and bumper. The bumper was the biggest issue with numerous fit, remove, adjust brackets, elongate holes etc and refit. Got there eventually.
Then I fitted the old headlamp back plate and broken lamp (OS is at home getting a minor repair to the mounting and there are new lamps available) Every 304 I have seen has a significant gap between the lamp and the wing. Will have a look at doing something about this but need to fit the grille and the other headlamp first.
Wings currently have two 6mm bolts per side holding them on so will double check the alignment and then drill and fit rivnuts as necessary. Then it will be strip down and paint the wings and bonnet.
Rear wings which I didn't do so well have been flatted back although I think the paint is a bit soft (see the post above this one) so waiting to hear back from Chris about whether I should repaint them or leave and polish.
Great work Ray I’m still looking at your fanatic achievements With regard to the front panels I believe they bolt on via screws and nuts. I’ve had work done by body shops and this is what they used , commercial I relies so they would not use rivnuts I have a project in almost exactly the same stage I’ve just stated trimming the hard top.
Having just looked at my post I apologise for the spellings I blame auto correct ! When I fitted the windscreen it was much easer than expected I’m at the stage when one finds out if indeed they actually have all the parts ! Keep up the good work I would not have attempted the paintwork
Great work Ray I’m still looking at your fanatic achievements With regard to the front panels I believe they bolt on via screws and nuts. I’ve had work done by body shops and this is what they used , commercial I relies so they would not use rivnuts I have a project in almost exactly the same stage I’ve just stated trimming the hard top.
Hi vojo. Thanks for the compliments. The front panel will be bolted to the wings by 6mm bolts and probably nyloc nuts. The wings I believe should be bolted on with 6mm bolts which go into captive nuts which have some sort of strange fitting. Most are either beyond use or missing and while I do have access to the underside to fit nuts and bolts I think rivnuts would be better, especially after they have been covered in Dinitrol 4941
I am also finding out what parts I need. Most disappointing is a boot lid hinge which has mysteriously disappeared in the last 6 weeks but I have managed to source another one.
You should really start a thread for your car. I am sure everyone would be interested in it and the progress you make.
Reasonably mild and calm day so got the diesel warm air heater fired up for over 4 hours which got the temperature inside the tent to 12.5C. Would be much better with some insulation draped over it but I can't afford that.
Outer face of the bonnet and boot lids are now painted and probably my best effort so far.
Also got the rivnuts fitted to the front wing mountings.
Still lots to do and weather looks like being baltic tomorrow but Wednesday and Thursday forecast to be a warmer 11C and then baltic into next week.
Front wings were popped into the tent today to prepare for painting. The diesel heater pipe was pushed in and left running for a few hours to get the temperature to a reasonable level.
Wings were set up on the stands, not ideal but work ok.
All painted and a reasonable effort. I still have issues avoiding orange peel and it seems the only way to avoid it is to lay the paint on so heavy I inevitably get some runs so there will be some work required to rectify them.
Had a little paint left in the gun, I suspected not enough to properly paint the ventilation grill so I painted the underside and will do the top next time.
That could be it for a bit as the weather is not looking good from tomorrow but I have things to work on at home to make things ready for reassembly.
Nothing done to the car as it has been as cold as a cold thing this week. Suspect it could be my age making me feel it more than I used to. Was all set last night to make the effort this morning, sandwiches were made, flask ready to fill etc. Got up to a hard white frost and by the time I had finished breakfast the biggest snowflakes I have seen for a long time were falling and were soon lying thick on the ground. As the barn is 33 miles away, quite remote and fairly high up (and I would be there on my own with no phone signal) I decided against it rather than risk it. There is always another day. On the plus side I found the boot hinge which I thought I had accidentally thrown out with some rubbish. They had both been at the barn as the boot lid was test fitted before painting then one disappeared. Found it at home in the spare bedroom and I have no idea how it got there. Just need to check in the loft for the chromed plastic trims which cover them.
I agree you are making great progress. With regard to the caps that go over the rear hinges - they are metallic an alloy that is chromed ( not plastic like modern cars ) unfortunately these do pit and corrode. when it comes to the mechanics and trimming etc you will find this much quicker than the bodywork since there are no surprises waiting in store and everything you do will be a step forward - keep the good work ?
