Help to paint panel

[Henrisc300]

Hello,
I want to paint my black panels (front, side, rear) to match the color of my car (which is red). Is there any helpful hints that I should know before starting the project. Where can I find the paint that match my car exactly? Do I need to sand it down or just wax it?
Thanks you advance for all your helps...

[Turbo42]

R u talking about the lower panels the black textured ones?

[RussBarnes]

Had mine done in white (see my photos in white smarts). Sand and fill the rockers with good primer. Use flex agent for all three parts. Color coat and then clear coat with the good stuff PPG (IMHO). After 5,000 miles mine look great, just get dirty faster being white.

As to color match. A local paint supplier has a machine that if you take the front bonnet to they can do as close to a perfect match as possible. It was harder with my white since that is a molded in color, but red is sprayed on so that would be easy. Or you might do a search on here for color matching and someone may have posted the generic number for the red.

[Turbo42]

white is easy to match 8554 matches it perfect

[Turbo42]

1. Take panels off
2. Sand panels with 180 with a dual action sander
3. After they are smooth spray primer with a flex agent 2-3 medium wet coats
4. Sand primer with 400 grit sandpaper
5. Blow dust odd and clean panels with laquer and enamel cleaner
6. Get a tack rag and go over the parts (takes dust off)
7. Ready for paint Remember flex agent in the clearcoat!

[Kermit]

Good job babybenz!- you get reputation points for being so helpful.

[jetfuel]

...hey BB..can you fix the economy????

...points here too.....going your way

jetfuel

[Dunerunner]

BB, More points if you can tell us what spray equipment you are using! Gun type, tip size, HVLP, cup, pot? Compressor or Turbine?

BTW - Posted up your painting instructions to http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/for...-should-14377/

[Kermit]

OH OH I KNOW THAT ONE (raising my hand like Horseshack)

Gun type: Any type you want of a decent quality
Tip size: Whatever your paint manufacturer recommends

HVLP, cup, pot? Compressor or Turbine? - all your own choice.

I can add something of value to this thread since we're talking about the side skirts too.

For putting the side skirts back on, take the white clips off the car and slide them into place on the skirts then take the skirt and attach the front end first and just give the skirt a slap to pop the clips into place. Reattaching those skirts is MUCH easier this was instead of leaving them attached to the car and trying to reattach that way.

[Dunerunner]

What about the body panels? Same procedure or do you skip some of the steps for the skirts mentioned above? What about the moulded panels? Different procedure?