Priming the car flat black...

[TruElegance]

Im going to be sanding my Civic down and painting it a flat primer black, just until I get a new paint job. Reason being because I have to do some molding work and I dont wanna drive around for a few months with spots in different places. I've seen a lot of cars driving around that just have a flat black paint job and it looks real good. Anybody here ever primed their car and made it look real good? If so, can you give me any tips to make it look as smooth and streakless as possible?

[civicdemon91]

yea my 91 hatch is primmed with a street fighter kit i molded everything on an primmed it flat black.just remeber when your sandin it down to smoth everything out after your down coasing it to get the clear coat off then use 200 grid to smooth everything out an wipe it down with 900 deep cleaner an do your first coat than go to the second

[goinbig]

I'd primer it, then spray flat black PAINT on it.

The primer will hold in moisture, which will cause rust. Paint is sort of like a water proofing that keeps the metal nice!! Primer just gives the paint something to stick to.

[type59]

Originally Posted by goinbig

I'd primer it, then spray flat black PAINT on it.

The primer will hold in moisture, which will cause rust. Paint is sort of like a water proofing that keeps the metal nice!! Primer just gives the paint something to stick to.

what kind of paint do you use? regular house paint or car paint? where would you buy it.

[civicnation425]

Originally Posted by type59

what kind of paint do you use? regular house paint or car paint? where would you buy it.

a hidden tip, put your cans of paint into a warm bath. (not hot but warm.... it helps with a more even and thinner spray...)

[notyouraveragegirl]

Originally Posted by civicnation425

a hidden tip, put your cans of paint into a warm bath. (not hot but warm.... it helps with a more even and thinner spray...)

you're totally right about that if you're using spray paint... it helps the keep the chemical emulsion in better balance

my avatar isn't the clearest of all pictures, but it shows our 98 Accord in primer gray (its a dark gray, like gunmetal without the shine) - and we're keeping it this way until we paint it this summer, for basically the same reason you have and honestly, the car looks good

if you want to prime it right with a compressor and paint gun etc...
or at least for a few tips on prepping the car... check THIS LINK out... its a post i left for another girl who wants to do the same thing (oh and don't forget to use a cleaner/degreaser on your car and LET IT DRY before you put ANY paint on the car - whether you choose spray paint or car paint or whatever)

and its primer-sealer that SEALS the car -- and as long as you put a good primer surfacer (what most people just call "primer") over this, then your body work will be protected, assuming no rocks or cars come flying at it etc...
primer-SURFACER is what provides an extra layer for you to put your basecoat on (or, in your case, flat black paint for now)

i would recommend that, whatever paint you choose as a primer (whether it be car paint or flat black spray paint or whatever), you primer-seal it first to protect all that time and effort you put into the body work -- this way when you go to paint the car for real, you won't have to do everything all over again, just that second primer

yes it will cost you more at first... but its a WHOLE LOT better then paying in time and money to start over later

hope this helps, just looking out for the best interests of your car and your sanity

[honda_racing101]

Originally Posted by civicnation425

a hidden tip, put your cans of paint into a warm bath. (not hot but warm.... it helps with a more even and thinner spray...)

You didnt happen to get that tip from Sport Compact Car when they de-riced their project WRX did you?

[notyouraveragegirl]

Originally Posted by honda_racing101

You didnt happen to get that tip from Sport Compact Car when they de-riced their project WRX did you?

hey i saw that article... wasn't it sometime last fall?

TruElegance: just remember -- the only thing that SEALS YOUR PAINT JOB FOR GOOD is CLEAR COAT

all primers are paints - and so is your clear - it's just that this final step is a different material that acts as a permanent seal - it is a non-porous enamel that hardens on to help protect all that blood sweat and cash that went into your car's body - so just know that even with the correct prep work you start noticing pitting and wear on the primed surface after a month or so... of course it all depends on how (often) and where you drive your car