Which paint should i use for a DIY respray??

[4sfed5]

Ok so the old turbo terror(classic red) is looking very average body wise with some old repairs and repaint showing its age......i have a good quality gravity fed spray gun and access to a LARGE workshop with a good air supply...so i think its time for a DIY RESPRAY.....only problem is i have NO IDEA about what sort of paint to get..Should i get enamel or acylic or a two pot...do i need a clear coat or just go solid then buff it back for gloss??

What was the MX painted in at the factory?The repaired section of the car seems to be done with a clear coat but other parts of the car arent,(paint comes off on the polishing cloth)

I want to go into the paint suppliers and order what i need without looking like a total Newb as they arent very helpful with regards to what paint goes with what etc....any ideas?

[16bit]

i spose 2 pac is the way to go but not too sure. make sure you get a decent brand too, house of colours (if they sell it here) seems to be a good brand.

[tbro]

haven't pointed a gun in anger for years but I'll try and give you some good advice. The actual painting isn't that hard if you take your time and do plenty of practice on old doors etc. The \"big secret\" to painting is as always \"preparation\". Don't take short cuts, near enough is not good enough, every blemish will stick out like dog balls to you and then you'll need to do it again.So take your time and you can do a good job.
Paint; steer away from 2pac unless you have the proper breathing gear, this stuff CAN kill you. Enamel is ok if using a spraybooth, every little bit of dust will settle into the paint before it sets. Don't use enamel hardener unless have breathing gear. Dulux or any large paint manufacture will help you pick the correct products needed and give advise,use Internet. Just remember take your time, be fussy and then be fussier again and you will surprise yourself as to the quality of finished product.
Terry

[tbro]

cont from above, if your old paint is flaking, strip back to metal or it will reoccur. clear coat is usually only applied to metallic type paints to seal the flakes in the paint, if repainting red you won't need to.After each coat of primer block back and don't try and take short cuts, after applying each coat of colour, block back with 3200 wet and dry until smooth and scratch free. On final coat use 3200 with lots of water. may sound like a lot of work but it's worth it in the end.Remember take your time and prepare it properly. Acrylic paint is your best bet as its easy to work and is pretty forgiving.
Terry

[4sfed5]

i have prepped quite a few cars in the past so theres no worries about that..But I have never actually painted them and know absolutly nothing about paint \"types\"....
I have a proper vapour mask which is used to screen fuel vapour and alcohol fumes(great for hangovers! haha)...so no probs there...just want to know what to ask for...Urethane? cellulose???epoxy??acrylic enamel??? etc etc its all dutch to me and the paint supplier has a VERY SHORT attention span and is used to Professional painters walking in and asking for 'Brand xx of xx paint\" etc etc... It was like pulling teeth asking what i should get to paint my car...

[Alex]

take a look at this thread
http://www.aus-cartalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=26329

that's the only help I can give you as far as painting goes, there are alot of threads on other mx5 sites about DIY painting, try searching miata.net maybe

edit:

The black is Powerplus. Red is colour-matched cans from an auto paint shop.
Take your time, prepare it properly and be patient, and you will have a really nice finish.

[Pumpn'Go]

I would sugest to use Acrylic Laquer. It goes on well, if you can put it on wet without runs, shine off the gun. Dries quick, almost instantly, so no bugs stuck in it. If you do stuff up and put it on dry and powdery or get the odd run, you can gently sand back with 1200 adn soap and buff it up to mirror quality, after all thats what all the old hot rods, with murals etc used for many years. It wont kill you if you breath a bit , still use respirator. It will last well if looked after , polish and protection where possible.
That said there are more durable paints, two pac that will stand abuse and neglect better but as said before dont breathe this sh*t in.
Col

[Matty]

Matty subscribes to thread to await Steve's response...