Car restoration: where to start

[webhead]

Hi all,

Since I'm looking into restoring an oldtimer over here I'm reading up as much as I can. However, the more I read, the more I'm getting lost.
I'm stuck on this:

1) Do I really need to strip the car to bare metal?
2) Does leaving old paint on in combination with stripped and repaired metal parts lead tot sinking in of the paint? Is this evil per se? How do I prevent this "sinking in"?

3) Self etch primer... only for bare metal? What about putty and stopper. A repaired panel nearly always has some stopper on it. No self etch and straight to high build primer?

4) Rust prevention: I assume when repairing the inner structure I might want to use a rust converting chemical. Can I spray high build primer on top of this? No self etch here?

5) What about stopper and high build primer? Do these thing attract moisture?

6) What do I do to temporary prevent a repaired/welded spot from rusting? Immediately prime it? What's this Zinc spray for? Say I just sanded a panel but I need some more time for filling/stopping it, what do I coat it with?

Thanks!

 

[steveo3002]

1, & 2 you dont have to strip it , but if you dont know whats under the old paint and what type was used it can often cause further hassles , if you want it right or best you can then consider stripping it . really depends whats been done before , some stuff paints over fine others are worse than a nightmare , there could also be areas that look fine and are stuffed full of newspapers etc so thats another reason to strip it all back

3 , bare metal needs etching , wont matter if it goes over filler etc, you could also consider epoxy as its tougher and doesnt suck up moisture

4, conversion chemicals dont really work , removal is best

5, yes they do

6 , you can get zinc weld through primer which is for spraying on overlaying panels before welding , and alot of rust primers are zinc based , as for stopping repairs rusting , not much experiance there as mine all got done asap , either epoxy them or stick to one area and prime it then put a quick coat of gloss over it , then sand it all up when its ready to paint

 

[webhead]

5, yes they do

So what are my options? Ideally I should prep the car, etch primer is, high build prime it and then color spray it in say, two weeks or so

Realistically I'd be sanding and maybe (etch) priming it for months. I do have a day job left

 

[steveo3002]

epoxy prime instead of etch..can park it in the rain then

or as you go put a quick coat of gloss on each complete panel , then sand it smooth once its all done ..a coat of gloss may well help highlight any poor repairs too

 

[Engineer]

Interested in where you get epoxy primer from, and whether any special protective equipment is needed if you are spraying it?

 

[steveo3002]

the usual paint supply places have it , not sure if you can get non isocyanite or what really , but the seller should have the tech sheet for what they sell

 

[Engineer]

Never come across epoxy primer in any of the places I use, and was curious as to where I could get some, as it sounds a lot better than the 2k stuff I use currently.

 

[langy]

Epoxy primer is a 2k product, virtually every decent restorer i know use it as its not porous so can be left without fear of problems later. It also has anti corrosive properties.
Not all paint factors will have it as its actually a commercial product but its getting much easier to buy these days.
Much better than Etch epecially on Ally & GRP
Just don't buy any from Metalflake.com as they have loads of it cheap but its over its shelf life and now no good.

Never come across epoxy primer in any of the places I use, and was curious as to where I could get some, as it sounds a lot better than the 2k stuff I use currently.

 

[Engineer]

Any brand name details at all? Never seen this for sale, and sounds ideal if you can use it to etch and prime at same time.

 

[bigbadbugga]

Any brand name details at all? Never seen this for sale, and sounds ideal if you can use it to etch and prime at same time.

Lechler epoxy primer seems to be a firm favourite with pro restorers, it's definitely what I will be using on the bug when the time comes

 

[Engineer]

Is there any need for air fed mask when using this? Always steered away from 2K products, as the cost of a proper air fed set up seems very high if you are not a pro sprayer?

 

[langy]

There are a few about, I've tried them all and the Lechlar is by far the best product and inexpensive, Epoxy has been around at least the 20 years that I've been using it.

Any brand name details at all? Never seen this for sale, and sounds ideal if you can use it to etch and prime at same time.

 

[droopsnoot]

Is there any need for air fed mask when using this? Always steered away from 2K products, as the cost of a proper air fed set up seems very high if you are not a pro sprayer?

I have no direct experience, but this thread talks about 2k safety: http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=14051

 

[langy]

Its a 2K product.

Is there any need for air fed mask when using this? Always steered away from 2K products, as the cost of a proper air fed set up seems very high if you are not a pro sprayer?