[R-390] How to finish a front panel

[Jim Brannigan]

Very nice and good tips.  I never thought about using the BBQ for paint
setting......
To clean the garage I use a leaf blower...open the door and blast away (wear
a dust mask), let it settle and do it again....not dust free, but not
bad....

Jim
----- Original Message -----
From: "scott" <polaraligned@earthlink.net>
To: <r-390@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2002 20:49
Subject: [R-390] How to finish a front panel


> I tried the popular "spray 10 VERY light coats method" and it did not work
> to my liking.  It filled too much of the lettering, even with waiting 5 to
> 10 minutes between coats.  The mineral spirits in the paint does not flash
> fast enough and the paint tended to "self level",  filling in the
lettering.
> Plus the surface had "orange peel"  I did it twice this way and stripped
it
> both times.  I did not like the texture of the finish or how much was in
the
> lettering.
> Try this and I guarantee your panel will be smooth as glass and look like
it
> was done in a factory.
> 1)   First strip and sand lightly with 220 till surface is clean.  Use
BRASS
> brush to get old paint out of lettering.
> 2)    Spray with self etching primer or other aluminum primer.  Spray
> several light coats until just covered.
> 3)    When dry, sand with 400 paper till perfectly smooth.
> If you go through the primer, just touch up those spots.
> 4)    Get Benjamin Moore Impervo enamel (or equal) from a local paint
> dealer.  Pick a color, or have them use the computer to match the old
color
> perfectly.  (do this before you strip!!).   I used a flat paint.
Semi-gloss
> is not original and I personally think that a gloss, even a semi, will
look
> cheesy (Just my humble opinion)
> 5)   Thin 25-30% with mineral spirits and load into spray gun.  Spray
> lightly, I mean MIST the panel until primer is invisible.
> 6)   Let paint harden for a day then sand with water and 600 paper until
> smooth as a baby's ass.  Rinse off thoroughly and make sure sanding slurry
> is out of lettering.
> 7)   You will sand through into the primer in several spots but don't
worry.
> Spray again just MISTING the panel until it is covered.
> 8)  You can repeat the sand and mist routine one more time if necessary,
but
> I did not need to.  Make sure when you sand you only sand just enough to
> smooth the surface.  This is the hardest part- knowing when to stop.  So
> take it easy and sand lightly.  The smoother you make the sub-surface, the
> better the panel is going to look.
> 9)  Let the panel dry for a day.   Bake for 250 for 2-3 hours.  I put mine
> in my barbaque grill with the burner set at the lowest setting.  I had to
> prop the lid open about 4" to keep the temp inside down to 250.
> 10)  That's it.  Panel is done. A very important aspect of spraying enamel
> is making sure the room is dust-free.  My garage is certainly not, but I
tip
> toed in and sprayed then tip toed out.  All turned out well.   Now on to
the
> letters....
> 11)  I found a very easy way of filling the letters.  So much so, that I
had
> them all perfectly filled in half hour.
> Here it is:
> 12)    Get a bottle of acrylic craft paint in a color of your choice.
> Squirt a little bit on an area to be filled.  use a small hard rubber
> squeege to press the paint into the letters and scrape the top clean.
> 13)   After waiting a few minutes for the paint to set up a little, dampen
a
> tissue and gently wipe off the residue left behind by the paint.  The
panel
> comes perfectly clean and the paint is left in the lettering.  Just don't
> push too hard when wiping.  Very easy to do.  The enamel is rock hard
after
> baking and it cleans up perfectly.
> 14)  That's it.  I predict I should be able to do my next panel from start
> to finish in about 2-1/2 hours total time.  Not bad.  I can't wait for
> another one!!  Bring on the non-a!!  I hope I did not miss anything here,
> but I may have.
> 15)   I used Eastwoods "chassis epoxy" for the knobs and I really like the
> way they look.  Plus the epoxy is about the most durable paint you will
find
> in a spray can.
>
> There are a few pictures of the panel and the filling of the lettering on
my
> webpage.  Go to:
> http://home.earthlink.net/~polaraligned/_wsn/page2.html
> It is worth the trip (I hope).
> Let me know what you think of this method.
>
> Scott
>
>
>
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