If you have ever painted a vehicle before, you will have no problem with this project.
If this is your first paint job, just makes sure your read all of the instructions on your varnishes and take your time; you will do just fine.
Before you begin this job, make sure that you are familiar with the airbrush equipment; there is a lot of preparation work to be done first, but when it comes time to apply the paint you do want to make sure you are comfortable with the equipment and its operation.
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Make sure to read all the directions on the products you buy for this project. Make sure they are exactly what you need.
Things you'll need for this project:
Airbrush equipment
Air compressor
Masking tape
Old newspapers
Hand and electrical sander with fine, medium, and coarse sand papers; if the old paint on the car is in moderate condition, a 360 grit sandpaper will work fine
Putty knife
Primer
Base coat color paint
Bucket of clean water
Clear coat paint
Electric buffer
Buffing compound
Step 1:
Set up for your preparations somewhere outside. You will need to have a lot of maneuverability around the car to reach those hard-to-reach places; also, make sure you are in a place that can be easily cleaned, as you will be leaving a mess behind.
Begin by stripping the car of the old paint. Use a small putty knife to chip off large strips; brand new straight razor blades can also be used to pry difficult spots off the body.
Be careful not to gouge into the metal of the vehicle, as any and all dents and dings will be blatantly obvious when you are finished painting; by then it will be too late to fix them. Strip away as much as you can with the putty knife and razor blade; you should see bare metal when you are finished.
Once you have all of the large areas scraped clean, follow up with the sandpaper. Test your assortment to find out which is the most effective; the best sandpaper for any given area will change depending on where on the car you are working at.
When you are finished the surface should all be bare metal.
Step 2:
Move the car indoors; somewhere that there is still enough room to maneuver around the car as you work, and somewhere clean enough that there will not be any flying dust or debris in the air, because any and everything sticks to wet paint; with that said, also make sure that you have proper ventilation while you work.
Wearing a breathing apparatus and proper filtration masks must be used to ensure your safety while painting. Make sure that any other exposed surfaces in the area are covered with drop cloths to prevent them from becoming coated with over spray.
Step 3:
Using the masking tape and newspapers, completely cover all windows, outside mirrors, headlights, tail lights, and turn signal covers that you don't want to paint. Using the tape, cover any and all chrome or aluminum trimmings that you don't want painted. The only thing left exposed should be the bare metal that you want to paint.
Step 4:
Mix your primer into your airbrush gun following the manufacturer’s instructions. When ready, begin working in sections about a foot long, covering all of the exposed metal in even, steady strokes. Consult your manufacturer’s directions as to how long the primer needs to be left undisturbed to dry. Clean out your painting equipment thoroughly and allow it to dry while you are waiting for the primer.
Step 5:
Mix your base paint into your airbrush gun following the manufacturer’s instructions. When ready, as with the primer coat, begin working in sections about a foot long. Holding the gun about 6”-10” away from the body, begin applying the paint in even, steady strokes.
Make sure that your passes overlap to avoid seaming; you should come about halfway back and pass over a previous area before moving forward. Think, “Two steps back, one step forward” as you work.
Again, refer to the paint manufacturer’s directions in regards to drying time. As before, clean out your airbrush equipment thoroughly and allow it to dry before moving onto the next step.
Step 6:
Dipping your sandpaper in the clear water, begin to wet-sand the color coat until it is smooth. Usually the finest grade sand paper you can find will work best. Keep it sopping wet throughout this process to get the best result. Let the car dry completely before moving on.
Step 7:
Mix the clear coat varnish and load into your airbrush gun according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Using the same application method as before, completely cover the base coat surface with a coat of the clear varnish. Allow to dry completely, referring to the paint manufacturer’s instructions as to time. Once again completely clean your airbrush equipment and let dry completely.
Step 8:
Using your buffer and buffing compound, polish the clear coat until it shines like it’s ready for a showroom floor.
Stand back and admire your job well done!
But knowing what to do, doesn't always lead to doing it correctly. The owner's manuals that come with the vehicle contain a lot of good information, including a full maintenance schedule, but here are a few items you don't want to miss.
Changing the oil and checking fluid levels - As with any motorized vehicle, regular oil changes are a must for your ATV. Be sure to follow your vehicle's oil change schedule and, if the vehicle's been sitting all winter, check all fluids.
Check tire pressure - Check the tire pressure on all tires and follow manufacturer recommendations for air pressure levels.
Inspect or replace the spark plugs - The beginning of the season is a good time to replace your spark plugs, as it is a surefire way to help get your machine started more easily after its winter hibernation. Inspecting the old one is also a good way to give you an indication as to how your engine was running.
Check battery connections - After sitting idle all winter, you'll want to check the battery connections for possible corrosion and ensure they are solid.
Changing, cleaning and oiling the air filter - This is probably the most overlooked aspect of regular maintenance. Putting oil on an air filter may seem counterintuitive, but it is an essential step when replacing the air filter on many motorsports vehicles. Air filter maintenance is important in everything from a small off-road motorcycle to larger utility ATVs like the Yamaha Grizzly 700. Let's take a closer look at this important step.
"Anyone that has spent a day on dusty trails and then taken a look at their air filter can attest that the foamy exterior is likely covered in dirt and debris," says Travis Hollins, Yamaha's ATV product planning manager. "You need that moist, sticky filter oil to catch the dirt and other particles that otherwise can foul up the engine and cause long-term damage."
Many miss this detail because most air filters are not sold with the oil already applied. So, anyone cleaning or replacing an air filter will need to add the oil. It is a simple three-step process. Step 1: Remove the air filter. Step 2: Clean the filter with a specially recommended cleaner and rinse with water. Step 3: Allow the newly cleaned filter to dry, then re-apply your filter oil. Your local dealer can provide more advice and recommendations or you can look up more information on your manufacturer's website. Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., as an example, offers a step-by-step instructional video by logging on to www.yamahaoutdoors.com. Click on "parts and service," then the "filter maintenance" button to view the video.
For many gear heads, tinkering with the engine and doing regular maintenance provides just as much satisfaction as a long trail ride or day at the track. A little time investment in the garage can payoff in hours of good riding.
Changing the oil and checking fluid levels - As with any motorized vehicle, regular oil changes are a must for your ATV. Be sure to follow your vehicle's oil change schedule and, if the vehicle's been sitting all winter, check all fluids.
Check tire pressure - Check the tire pressure on all tires and follow manufacturer recommendations for air pressure levels.
Inspect or replace the spark plugs - The beginning of the season is a good time to replace your spark plugs, as it is a surefire way to help get your machine started more easily after its winter hibernation. Inspecting the old one is also a good way to give you an indication as to how your engine was running.
Check battery connections - After sitting idle all winter, you'll want to check the battery connections for possible corrosion and ensure they are solid.
Changing, cleaning and oiling the air filter - This is probably the most overlooked aspect of regular maintenance. Putting oil on an air filter may seem counterintuitive, but it is an essential step when replacing the air filter on many motorsports vehicles. Air filter maintenance is important in everything from a small off-road motorcycle to larger utility ATVs like the Yamaha Grizzly 700. Let's take a closer look at this important step.
"Anyone that has spent a day on dusty trails and then taken a look at their air filter can attest that the foamy exterior is likely covered in dirt and debris," says Travis Hollins, Yamaha's ATV product planning manager. "You need that moist, sticky filter oil to catch the dirt and other particles that otherwise can foul up the engine and cause long-term damage."
Many miss this detail because most air filters are not sold with the oil already applied. So, anyone cleaning or replacing an air filter will need to add the oil. It is a simple three-step process. Step 1: Remove the air filter. Step 2: Clean the filter with a specially recommended cleaner and rinse with water. Step 3: Allow the newly cleaned filter to dry, then re-apply your filter oil. Your local dealer can provide more advice and recommendations or you can look up more information on your manufacturer's website. Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., as an example, offers a step-by-step instructional video by logging on to www.yamahaoutdoors.com. Click on "parts and service," then the "filter maintenance" button to view the video.
For many gear heads, tinkering with the engine and doing regular maintenance provides just as much satisfaction as a long trail ride or day at the track. A little time investment in the garage can payoff in hours of good riding.
| View the original article here |
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