First E30

[SmallDave]

Still getting the odds and ends tide up getting ready to paint, without having much body work experience it's been trial in error with the battery tray, but I think I got it as good as I'm going to get it, here is a picture after grinding on all the rust,



then today after multiple body work strategies



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[E30 Wagen]

Still working, just got new fenders (took a gamble with eBay) and just ordered my paint gun from eastwood today. Planning on sanding through 400, epoxy primer, color, then wet sand, the clear.

After taking a painting class (and passing with an A), it's my understanding that it's not a good idea to wet sand metallic colors because there is a risk of getting a halo effect if you sand through the top paint layer to the one underneath. Every metallic paint I used we finished with an "effect" coat before heading straight to clear. Just have to make sure you can spray the color well without running it or being too dry/seedy, which depends on your technique, gun quality, settings, etc. If you want the final coat (the clear) to be nice and flat with no orange peel, then lay down three good layers of clear, let it dry and then wet sand. Repeat that about 3 times and finish with a good polish for a super durable finish.

And if I were you I would get those holes in the battery box fixed right the first time by having new material welded in. Seems like a hassle to go back and fix it later.

Good luck :up:

[SmallDave]

After taking a painting class (and passing with an A), it's my understanding that it's not a good idea to wet sand metallic colors because there is a risk of getting a halo effect if you sand through the top paint layer to the one underneath. Every metallic paint I used we finished with an "effect" coat before heading straight to clear. Just have to make sure you can spray the color well without running it or being too dry/seedy, which depends on your technique, gun quality, settings, etc. If you want the final coat (the clear) to be nice and flat with no orange peel, then lay down three good layers of clear, let it dry and then wet sand. Repeat that about 3 times and finish with a good polish for a super durable finish.

And if I were you I would get those holes in the battery box fixed right the first time by having new material welded in. Seems like a hassle to go back and fix it later.

Good luck :up:

Thanks for the advice! I will definitely look into more about wet sanding with metallic colors... how would you fix a run in your metallic though?

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[E30 Wagen]

how would you fix a run in your metallic though?

If it's small enough you might be able to dab it away with a rag and then try to cover it up with extra layers of color, and then hope the clear will hide it. Otherwise you have to wait for it to dry, sand it down, and respray it. I imagine you're using water based paint, so if you run it then you're spraying WAY too heavy. Better to err on the side of spraying light; that will also save you time waiting for each coat to dry.

[SmallDave]

If it's small enough you might be able to dab it away with a rag and then try to cover it up with extra layers of color, and then hope the clear will hide it. Otherwise you have to wait for it to dry, sand it down, and respray it. I imagine you're using water based paint, so if you run it then you're spraying WAY too heavy. Better to err on the side of spraying light; that will also save you time waiting for each coat to dry.

Thanks Wagen, I'll be sure to post pictures...

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[SmallDave]

Well it's time for some pictures! Just started reassembling, but the paint booth was up and now taken down, process went great for my first time I think!

Color is riviera blue from a 2002 (solid) it looks a lot darker than I thought it would, but in the light it matches perfectly to the images that I used as a reference





after color





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[rcsoundn1]

Do you have experience painting? I am considering painting one of my cars as well. From my past experience, a lot of it is in how you prep the car. That bondo may become a problem earlier than you think. Might have considered fiberglass. Not knocking the build, just somethings from my experience.

[SmallDave]

Yeah I didn't have any experience so I didn't really know. If a problem pops up I'll probably get some metal welded in. Should have done that first but I know now! I really didn't have much experience other than changing oil and an air filter so this is admittedly a learning experience. Thanks for the comments.

And to answer yes, it's a lot of prep. If it's prepped right you're set up for good results but spraying is definitely not as simple as I expected. Definitely doable just be patient with yourself

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[K20RI_211]

Great color choice. Like it a lot.

[SmallDave]

Breaks, h&r sports, e90 drop hats, new control arms, bushings, and tie rod ends. And wheels!


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[SmallDave]

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[CRBR30]

Great color choice!

[aegul44]

coming up great. needs little lowering

[SmallDave]

coming up great. needs little lowering

It does, I'm a little surprised it sits so high on the h&r sports but that's alright. I'm running a 55 side wall tire and my goal was next to be as low as possible. We'll see how it turns out!

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[MT325is]

I like the color choice, need to see it in daylight tho!
and good job with the build coming along nicley