Paint and prep...

is this your first time painting a car. if so i would not advise going black. and if your set on that find a buddy that will be able to help you becasue...black will show any imperfection in the body.two stage paint is paint and then clear. three step paint is a base color then a color to cover that then clear coat so two step for example would be...

painting it black then clearing it.

three stage would be........

(example)

base coat of silver. then black over that...then clear coat.

If your going to black, it better be straight, make sure you seal it after primer. Def do basecoat/clearcoat

MAKE SURE ITS SLICK before you shoot the black.

You are probably going to need someone that has painted a car before to help you out. It is very costly to buy all the materials to do a proper job, and you do not want to ruin it. I understand the thrill of a do it yourself project, but paint and bodywork is something better left to the pro's. Black is also one of those colors that need a professional's touch.

Ok, having just put my car in prime, and being a bodyman. Im here to help. Here is my suggestion and what I used to get my car real nice and smooth.

Guns=
Primer : Any cheap gravity feed spray gun with a 1.8 minimum sized tip

Base an clear : A nice good spray gun should be used with around a 1.3-1.5 sized tip.

Paper and tape:
I used newspaper and cheap 2in and 1 inch masking tape for maskin for prime. And for base and clear, I would buy a roll of 18 inch masking paper and the green 3M masking tape in 2 inch and 1 inch (much better quality).

Sandpaper :
I bought 3 rolls of 3 inch wide stick it paper in 100 grit, 180 grit, and 320, to prep for primer. After the primer is layed, (dont forget to use a guide coat) you need to block it down with 320 on a block and then progress up to 500 grit to get it ready for color and clear.

Blocks:
I got a real nice 6 piece set made by Dura Block for 40 bucks. Comes with a long block, a short block, a narrow long block, a long cylinder and two more small blocks.

Primer:
I got a two part primer (catalyzed primer) made by Shop Line (a PPG brand) for 70 bucks a gallon including the hardener.

Paint:
Base - I would get a gallon of PPG DBC Base Coat Black.
Clear - Get a gallon of PPG DC4000 clear with the appropriate hardener for the tempurature you will be spraying at.


If you need advice on how to do mud work without having halo's or sand scratches in the finish after it is done, Im here and are more than happy to help anyone out. I cant stand seeing a nice stang go bad by lack of quality and knowlegde that went into the paint job.

oops, btw this is actually MAC'n89blckstng, I for got i was logged in on my roomates name.

i've always use "5 star 5400(i think)" gray primer. but you would be better off going to a paint store and have them get you the primer and see what they suggest. cuz it may be best to use black primer.

you'll want to get a flex additive for painting bumper covers.

you'll need hardener for the clear and get some med or fast reducer. and laquir thinner for the primer. and get some tack cloths.

it would be cheaper to go with acrilic (sp?) paint, so would wouldn't have to buy clear

Being a body guy myself, not for a living but on the side, if you are going black, without a doubt and your mind isnt changing, I would definitely go with a PPG epoxy primer. DP90LF is the primer, it is black in color. Then it requires a catalyst. There are two types of catalyst you can use for this primer. One is a 401 and one is a 402. The 402 takes an activation time of 1hr. after you mix it you just stir every 15 min. until 1hr. passes then spray. It is very expensive but very very nice stuff. It is the best out right now in my opinion from PPG. As far as paint, I also have good luck with PPG. Just go with a two stage if you are just wanting a factory looking black.

You need a professional to assist you at least as you go, but as for sanding, I always start out with 120-220 grit depending on how much sanding needs to be done. The thing is, sometimes it takes rougher, this is where you need a professional to help. However you go about it, you will finally want to get down to a 400 grit before primer. Then after primer, wet sand with a 600 before paint. Again, this is just the basics and the way I do it. If the car needs body work, that is a whole other story. It really is more complicated than some like to make it if you want a NICE paint job. You need to at least talk several times with a local body guy to get his advise and help. You can save by doing the work yourself, but if you dont know what you are doing or at least had a hand in it before, you may get yourself in one BIG headache. Good Luck.

650 a gallon!? That seems a little steep but with reds, you can never tell. With Black silver and a lil bit of orange, including clear, my paint is going to be about 550-600.

Im 18 currently but i painted my car. It was my first time, i did it in the garage, and everything including paint,sanpaper,paint thinner was only 34 bucks lol. HEre is how it came out