Sealer Neccessary???

[SP-Electronics]

No worries Michigan Mike. I probably came off as overly defensive now that I re-read my reply, and I didn't really mean it that way.

Last time I did a flat clear it was fairly costly, and if the OP only paid $30 for his paint, and has a whole gallon, he probably won't want to waste the dough on the clear. Heck if he's got a gallon of flat black, he could paint a couple carts and still have enough left over for a lifetime of monthly touch-ups. lol

[Michigan Mike]

Yeah! Or screw up and repaint the whole thing about twelve times...plenty of room for error, material wise anyway. (I've painted a dump truck a couple of times and didn't even use a whole gallon)
And correct...since the paint is already purchased, that would determine what is needed at this point.
So.....what do we have?


Also, Master is right, you always clear base coat, weather it's with gloss or flat clear. Flat paint is not just basecoat without clear over it. True, the basecoat isn't glossy by itself, but don't leav it like that or it will look like crap in a hurry!

[Mtbr41]

mkay, the can says
"auto Paint pro"
"Automotive finish"
"Flat black"
"recommend 10% automotive laquor thinner"

Everything else is warnings

So heres what Im thinkin:

Sand down with 700 something grit(no big scratches etc)
Primer 1 coat
wet sand
2nd coat of primer
Wet sand
1 coat of black
2nd coat of black
Clear is up in the air right now

Thanks for all the help guys!!!

I was always under the impression clear help prevent scratches etc...sounds like I should clear, are there different kinds of clear coats?

[groundpounder]

you will be fine with no clear on that paint

[groundpounder]

[QUOTE=Mtbr41;222290]mkay, the can says
"auto Paint pro"
"Automotive finish"
"Flat black"
"recommend 10% automotive laquor thinner"

Everything else is warnings

So heres what Im thinkin:

Sand down with 700 something grit(no big scratches etc)
Primer 1 coat<<<< 2 coats
wet sand
2nd coat of primer<<< 2 coats
this is as far as i would go but its up to you

[SP-Electronics]

Originally Posted by groundpounder

So heres what Im thinkin:

Sand down with 700 something grit(no big scratches etc)
Primer 1 coat<<<< 2 coats
wet sand
2nd coat of primer<<< 2 coats
this is as far as i would go but its up to you

gp, you'd only go as far as 2 coats of primer, and not putting the black on? I take it you aren't a fan of flat black or something?

Since it's plastic, that'd be mostly ok, but if it were a metal body I'd definitely recommend against ONLY primer... Still, flat black would look better'n primer, unless he later changed his mind and wanted to paint it a nice rich glossy color, in which case the primer would be a better starting point. :)

[master66]

I think GP was just going with the assumption on that the flat black is going on regardless of what he does prior to it ,but maybe I am wrong "that seems to happen to me alot" .Hey good luck with the project MTBR and let us know how it turned out but remember do not forget the adhesion promotor before the primer that is a pretty key element for longevity of the paint sticking.

[Michigan Mike]

If the can says "flat black", I would assume it's a single stage...so no clear.
And I second the adhesion promoter!

[SP-Electronics]

I agree.

Lots of PICS would be nice.

[Mtbr41]

Allright everyone,thanks for all the great info, I will post pics when I get started(need to finish my lift first)