Painting....Flex additive?

[OrangeMustangGt]

As someone may know, im deep into the project of painting my car, almost ready to spray the primer. Basically my question is about the side scoops i put over where the side vents used to be. The scoops are pretty flexable, there made of rubber it feels like....Im afraid when i get the paint, or even primer on there, if it bends, or someone pushes on it, it may crack....i need to know how flexable paint is, or if i can buy some sort of additive so i dont have to worry about this?.....thanks for the info guys

Also, this being my first time painting a car, tell me if im doing anything wrong. I've allready bought everything i need, Primer, Both color Paints, and Clear, etc

Im scuffing the car up with 220 with a random orbit sander, not through the paint, just making it hazy.

Spray primer- Sand again with 400 till its smooth

Mask off the Stripes, and Do the Black Stripes first, let dry

Cover stripes, and Paint Car with the DSG.

Clear, then wetsand with 1000+. then buff.....But what setup should i use to buff it in the end?

Thanks guys

 

[stprorolla49]

i was always told to lay down your light colors first because u can cover them with darker colors, but u cant cover dark colors with light colors....if i may suggest. i'd spray the car DSG, let it fully dry, then mask of the area you want for the black stripes and spray them.....i think thats how you will get the best results....someone back me up here

 

[RIO5.0]

Only thing I'll add is....use a high build primer, guide coat it and block it out to get things flat and true....hi build is gonna fill in scratches and imperfections better and it sands way easier...I would go more than 400 to.....Believe me, you get what you pay for in the prep...any scratches or orbital marks will show like crazy...but not il you done and really checking it out....

I didnt use any flex agents for my bumpers...guy said screw it....His thinking was if its not in the primer you put on those you gain nada??? Alrighty then...Lets paint...

least you wont have bugs to deal with this time of year...

 

[1slow95]

I used flex additive when I painted my dad's car, but my friend at the body shop said he doesn't use it.

I laid down the stripes first, taped them off after about an hour or two, then sprayed the yellow. However, there is a ridge where the stripes are. To avoid this, you can either mask off the area around the stripes before you spray them, or sand down that area after painting the stripes before spraying the main color.

I have pics of pretty much my complete painting process on my site, http://highoutputgt.homelinux.net/pics.htm, and click the "Chrome Yellow 95" link.

 

[reject5.0]

I usually end with 800 or 1000 before any color goes down. The comment made above about the scratches coming through the paint is 100% correct. Won't be able to see it until the clear goes on.

Thats just the way I do things.

 

[MysteryMachine]

my car didn't have the flex stuff when it was painted before i got it and you can tell the paint is chiping off the rear bumper and it looks like ****. Everybody on here says you get what you pay for do it right the first time blah blah blah I say put it in then you don't have to worry about it in the future

 

[MysteryMachine]

Mike you did a great job painting them little white boxes with the red X's lol

 

[1slow95]

Mike you did a great job painting them little white boxes with the red X's lol

Oops, forgot a >. LOL....Fixed it

BTW, it worked in Firefox amnit:

 

[mo_dingo]

Primer is available w/ the flex agent too, right? Or you can add it? idk, so I am asking.
Scott

 

[canadian94gt]

You should put your black stripes on last as you may get a variance in color as the lighter color nears the stripes. This is what the dealership who did mine said. I also specified a flex agent for the entire car as it also helps prevent rock chips and such. Here are a couple of pics of my stripes.