[Stuart]

I'll check with Eric about the permanent editing, I think it's been permitted now and then but am not sure about that.

[roger1]

Originally Posted by Stuart

I'll check with Eric about the permanent editing, I think it's been permitted now and then but am not sure about that.

I'd appreciate that. It does seem like it would be a good idea to give unlimited editing capability at least to op's of build, project and how-to type threads. I think members would appreciate it and I can't see any reason not to.

[roger1]

Finally laid on some paint.
Here's what I've done since my last post:

I totally washed down the inside of my work room using a garden hose and brush on a pole. The ceiling and walls too.

Wet sanded the body using 500 paper and then washed it down inside and out using Dawn soap. I then blew it dry, moved back into my paint room and let a fan blow on it for a couple of days.

I then put together my filter wall frame and attached the new spraybooth filters to it. Then attached it to the garage door frame using a foam rubber seal.

I then masked off everything really well around the body. I used plastic to make a skirt around the body to keep overspray from getting to anything underneath. I taped the skirt to the floor.







Spraying base:

First, I sprayed on a single 35% reduced coat of SPI epoxy primer to use as sealer. The purpose of this is to get better adhesion of the base coat.
After spraying that I waited an hour to start spraying the base and I sprayed on 3 coats.





It went pretty well but not perfect.
Relatively smooth and didn't get any runs but I died get several dust nibs. Not horrible but more than I hoped for with my filtration setup and steps I used. Most seemed to be on the top surfaces and not large. I called Barry at SPI for advice after the second coat of base. After discussing a few things he advised me to ground the body and spray a 3rd coat then do a bit of sanding out of the nibs after waiting overnight and then spray some more base. He said I could spot spray if I wanted to and feather the spray out around the areas.
I had pounded in a length of rebar several years ago for grounding to many years ago and I luckily found it, hooked up a wire and then sprayed the 3 coat.
Here's a close-up of some of the nibs:



So I did exactly what Barry said and the next day (yesterday) sanded the nibs using 1500 grit paper and spot sprayed more base over the areas. It's best to wait until the next day to spray the clear after base so waited until today to shoot it.

Since it was chilly this morning, I waited until noon to get started. I sprayed on 4 coats which will be plenty for a full color sand and buff if I choose to later. It went well. I have some dust nibs but I don't see color to them at this point. I think they sand and buff out just fine. No runs either. I am both relieved and happy. I love the color and can't wait to see it out in the sun and at dusk.

[bluejudge]

Looking good!!!

[dataway]

Looks TOO good, needs to be redone with less attention to detail

[Sidponcho]

Damn!!!

[roger1]

Originally Posted by dataway

Looks TOO good, needs to be redone with less attention to detail

Originally Posted by Sidponcho

Damn!!!

Originally Posted by bluejudge

Looking good!!!

Thanks guys!
There's nothing like Universal Clear, an Iwata LPH-400 spray gun and the support from SPI and their forum that can make an amateur and occasional painter look like a experienced one!

[rwfisher]

Inspiring work!! Best resto thread ever. Hard to believe so much progress in just over a year !

[Shiny]

Originally Posted by rwfisher

Inspiring work!! Best resto thread ever. Hard to believe so much progress in just over a year !

Agree!

[roger1]

Here's a few additional photos from today:







I'll work towards painting the doors and fenders in the next paint session. I will have to wet sand them and use Scotchbrite on the door jambs first.

[Andretti]

All the effort you've put into prep is really showing now, she looks great. Must admit I was not too upset seeing that little bit of Liberty still peeking out.

[roger1]

I got several of the body panels wet sanded and scuffed and set in the workroom for paint. While wet sanding the d/s fender I noticed 2 small low spots and sanded through to the urethane primer in both areas. I did get the low spots out but needed to spot spray epoxy primer over both areas.
I wanted to get the underside of the hood painted before wet sanding the top and got that done. Sprayed 3 coats of 25% reduced black epoxy primer.





Yesterday, I sprayed epoxy as a sealer followed by 3 coats of base on all the rest of the panels (just the bottom side of the trunk lid).





And today I sprayed on 4 coats of clear on everything except just 2 coats on the underside of the trunk lid. Just 2 coats on the door jambs as well since these areas wont get color sanded and buffed.



















So all that remains to paint are the tops of the hood and trunk lid and the d/s fender, trunk lid hinges and the hood scoop inserts. It looks like the weather will be conducive for being able to get that done this coming week.

[Skidmark]

Man those panels look awesome. I've been trying to keep up with the different primers you have used, but have gotten confused as to the colors of them and what parts of the car you sprayed them on. I know epoxy is the first on everything. I plan on going back into the thread tomorrow and figure out the sequence. It's like reading a good book. lol.

[will slow gto]

Looking good Roger!

[roger1]

I sprayed epoxy sealer and base yesterday and then sprayed the clear today.
All went pretty well except for a couple of sags on the hood with 1 little run. I sprayed the clear just a little too heavy on one of the 4 coats.
I believe I will be able to sand them out OK. I think I'll try spreading a thin coat of glazing putty over and around the sag and then sand. When the putty is sanded it off so is the sag and run. I haven't done this before but I heard it works very well.













Other updates:

I stopped by the upholstery shop this week and they are going to get my convertible top ordered. His preferred brand is Robbins and has been buying from them for many years. I project it will be next summer before I'm ready to take the car down there but better to order stuff early with all the supply chain issues going on. He hasn't gotten the seats done yet but it sounded like he would get to those in a month or two.
I also ordered door panels, convertible top boot, well liner and a few other items from Legendary. They project it will be August before I will get the panels! I didn't expect quite that long of lead time.

[rwfisher]

Originally Posted by roger1

I also ordered door panels, convertible top boot, well liner and a few other items from Legendary. They project it will be August before I will get the panels! I didn't expect quite that long of lead time.

August, guess I better get my order in now🙁

[MUSLCAH]

I’ll be watching the glazing putty and sag disappearing act. I have perfected sanding out sags …with no ghosts too….I’ve had plenty of practice over the last 45 years…lol

[roger1]

Originally Posted by MUSLCAH

I’ll be watching the glazing putty and sag disappearing act. I have perfected sanding out sags …with no ghosts too….I’ve had plenty of practice over the last 45 years…lol

What is your preferred method?

[68gtoMN]

Roger, if I missed this in reading the thread, please forgive me. Did you add any flexible additive for the Endura or painted it as you did for other panels?

[roger1]

No flexitive necessary with the SPI products I used. Under the paint I only used SPI epoxy primer which is flexible as well as the 3M epoxy filler.