Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Need a how to for painting pumps

Does anyone know of a good link or series of links on the web to painting things yourself? I have a compressor and am open to buying some HVLP or LVLP guns if needed. It doesn't look hard, but I know it's an art form. I have some pumps, gumball machines and parking meters I'd like to paint.

I also have a sherwin williams paint store nearby, will they carry the type of paint that I need for these projects?


Thanks.

It has been my experience that trying to paint, on a not so good project, will teach you more than watching a video. It allows you the actual feel of the tool along with learning the flow of the finish. I've always done better in person than any other way. Paul www.severngaspumps.com

No one learned to walk w/o taking that 1st step.
He that doesn't make mistakes never tried anything new.

There are at least two kinds of Sherwin Williams paint stores: House paint or Auto paint. The House paint folks might be able to order auto paint, but I doubt you'd get questions answered professionally. Dealing with an auto paint specialty supplier is recommended to get the correct products, instructional "P-sheets" and questions answered.

Since you're not far from St. Louis, contact Cooper Color with stores in Arnold, MO and Bellville, IL. They sell PPG economy to top of the line materials.
http://coopercolor.com/
Tell the owner, Dave Cooper or the tech support guy, Chuck Taylor, that I sent you over to get treated right.

If you want to get serious, sign up for a body shop/paint class at your local community college in the evening this Fall. You'll learn the right way to work metal, preparation and painting. Or like Paul says, just try it on your own, following product instructions on something you can afford to mess up on.

Remember that sprayed paint always looks the best right before it runs. LOL Knowing how to get it to that edge and not too far takes the "feel" of experience.

I am new here but have learned the hard way over many years, that the hardest part of any paint job is the preperation, and that is probably 95% before you ever pick up the gun.I agree with all the above remarks and another one is if you start with one brand of paint stay with that brand of reducers hardners etc.one more thought I can recomend is if your not an experienced painter it is better to put on 3 or 4 lighter coats lettind dry a little --15 min. between coats then color sand with 1000 1500 and then 2000 grit wet or dry and then power buff (lightly ) donot burn through and you will have a perfect GLASS finish

Thanks guys. The biggest thing I'm looking for is equipment needs and steps. Preparation is the key in painting, as it is in most endeavors.

I get what you're saying DB, but I'm not willing to turn out a ***** first pump. I'd rather pay someone to do it while I watch every step with the plan of doing more myself the next time, or learning each step myself.

I just dropped 3 gumball machines and a parking meter off at the sandblaster, I plan on using those projects as my tests. Obviously there are some differences, but I'll get the general idea.

I stopped and talked to my local body shop today and he's going to let me work on my pump at his shop, use his tools and he'll assist/give guidance. How cool is that? I offered to work for free if he had grunt work, but he said no big deal.

This could be a great way to get experience under the eye of a professional body shop. I'm stoked.

http://www.autobody101.com/forums
Some of the paint is hazardous to your health! PPG was what I used till I got a couple of gallons of DP series primers lacking pigment. Had to take it in to them Den's in Belleville back then, same place Jim recommened, second time they believed me and it didn't cost a trip.
Different brands do spray differently, way back in HS we were taught Dupont, then I did a door in Ditzler.... good old Mr.McConnell (shop teacher) let me learn the hard way. I did a door patch on a 65-7 corvair in metallic blue. Well.... Mr C did hand me a pair of big scissors to cut the runs off when the got to the door edge......he got a good laugh. Well I have to say I've pulled that trick twice now....once a couple of years ago on my boy and many years ago on my old buddy painting his truck.
Do the insides 1st, make your mistakes where nobody can see them. Keeping the moisture from ruining your paint, it will cost a few bucks if you want to spray anytime or you can wait till conditions are better. You can do it just takes some time and money.