AoT's White Wonder

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 10:44 am

Although my experience in auto paint is a bit dated and limited I have painted a few cars of mine, including the Baja, a 68 bug in lotus white and 73 super in yellow. IMHO, painting is a lot like welding where you need to get the setting right in order to get the ideal result. Unfortunately, auto paint aint cheap so mistakes can be costly. Give it another shot ( no pun intended ) but you may need to try another gun. You could have a bad seal in that gun you are using.

Good luck

Glenn A · Post by **Glenn A** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:06 am

Tom wrote:Sounds like the gun is bad,where did you get it?

Don't tell Him AoT.

AoT the needle that moves back when the trigger is depressed is what controls paint flow. For some reason the needle must not be seated in the nozzle. There is an adjustment knob in the back that is meant to limit flow. Perhaps that knob is out of adjustment holding the needle off the seat. There is also a packing/seal just behind the trigger. This should be adjusted just tight enough not to leak air but loose enough to allow the needle to slide back and for easily. When adjusted properly you should be able to see the tip of the needle seated in the nozzle of the gun. The adjustment in the rear of the gun should be set to limit material flow which will help prevent runs.

you could test with laquer thinner on some cardboard.

AoT · Post by **AoT** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:22 am

Thanks GA on all of the above. Let you a VM so no need to call me back. WIll take it apart and see what missing and give it another try. Think I have enough paint for a second go round!!

Glenn A · Post by **Glenn A** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:29 am

AoT wrote:Thanks GA on all of the above. Let you a VM so no need to call me back. WIll take it apart and see what missing and give it another try. Think I have enough paint for a second go round!!

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I'm living at the beach for a couple of weeks. So My mind is on a million things other than VWs.

I'm sure it just needs an adjustment. There not point and shoot right out of the box.

AoT · Post by **AoT** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:31 am

Glenn A wrote: I'm sure it just needs an adjustment. There not point and shoot right out of the box.

Np prob. Will do more testing before loading it up with the good stuff! Thanks.

Glenn A · Post by **Glenn A** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:37 am

AoT wrote:
Glenn A wrote: I'm sure it just needs an adjustment. There not point and shoot right out of the box.
Np prob. Will do more testing before loading it up with the good stuff! Thanks.

Like Raj mentioned, Painting mistakes get costly. You can get the hang of the adjustments with just bursts onto a piece of card board. once you have a feel of what the adjustments do you can dial it in just right. Oh yea and it will be different for paint Vs. Primmer.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 3:05 pm

I guess I'll never know where you got that gun.

Glenn A · Post by **Glenn A** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 3:43 pm

Tom wrote:I guess I'll never know where you got that gun.

That's right Tom. Thanks for asking though.

Aot. Just take the flow limt stop screw out of the back followed by the spring. The neddle should pull right out then. Excersize it a bit and see why it's sticking. That should do it. I looked at one of mine at home.

That should have that thing Purrrrrrrring like a kitten.

AoT · Post by **AoT** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 7:38 am

Want to make the push to get the fenders done. Spent some time trying to get the spray gun ready for round 2, but found out the nut to adjust the spray pattern was shot. The flange is cracked and rather than waste time I went back to what I know.

Got the paint from last weekend sanded down.

use white primer and gave it a coat and then saneded it smooth.

After two coats of primer went with the color I have been using. Lots of surface to cover on the front fenders. Was able to straddle the bench with some wood to elavate it to get the sides covered.

Need some more paint for the high spots and then a light sand and maybe some clear coat.

Was full day project "wating for the paint to dry" but it should make the wonder look sharp when done and installed.

Big_kid · Post by **Big_kid** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 12:03 pm

Nice! Wanna do a buggy next? I've got the rattle cans ready!

volksbugusa · Post by **volksbugusa** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 6:48 pm

looks great....best to use a non sanding epoxy primer..this allows you to go direct to the base coat...when you spray the clear you should use a 1.3 tip....
cheers...

AoT · Post by **AoT** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 11:07 pm

Coming down to the wire getting the fenders painted. Lots of lights coats and plenty of light sanding trying to keep a smooth finish. Love that feeling of running your hands down and feeling the smooth metal!!

Anyway, realized that the wonder needs a nose job. When I had to cut the front lid handle off I never finished the body work. Now that it will be saddled next to the fenders, thought it was the best time to get it sanded and painted while the fenders are off.

Only got this done after dark so tomorrow will be painted.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 7:37 am

Too humid to paint IMHO.

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:29 am

what a turn around with this car...... keep up the good work

gotboost79 · Post by **gotboost79** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 10:14 am

GA would know more than me, but should you avoid the tape there, and try to blend/feather the new paint to the old? I think it will be less noticeable, and you definitely wont get that sharp tape line where old meets new.

Glenn A · Post by **Glenn A** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 11:43 am

It would be ok to protect the surounding area while sanding. But it should be removed before prime and paint.

AoT · Post by **AoT** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:50 pm

Glenn A wrote:It would be ok to protect the surounding area while sanding. But it should be removed before prime and paint.

Bingo!! You win the "will AoT do the right thing" award!! Since this area has an uneven surface put the tape down to give me some wiggle room on the sanding, but thanks for keeping me on task!!

AoT · Post by **AoT** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 12:35 am

Well today was a big push day and had some success and some things that still need to be worked on.

Got the front hood painted up and the nose clip. Hardware is back on and looks better.

Finished getting the new fenders sanded, painted and top coated, plus the under coating.
This was the DS wheel well after "whipping" with lacquer thinner.

Post under coating.

One of the wonder's many disguises.

Hello sun....

Good night Moon!!...

Need to spend a little time on the fender beading and the fenders and car need a compound and wax. It does not have the luster yet. Also the headlights didn't get installed. Need those tiny screws to mount the bracket, the old ones were way rusty.

And as usual the day took many twists and turns to add to the fun of being me and make me wiser for the next time around!!

Glenn A · Post by **Glenn A** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 12:04 am

Nice job Aot. The car looked great today.

AoT · Post by **AoT** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 7:04 am

Glenn A wrote:Nice job Aot. The car looked great today.

Hearing that from you makes it worth it!!

I Know it needs more work on the finish but just getting the fenders on was the goal for the weekend!

Glenn A · Post by **Glenn A** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:24 am

AoT wrote:
Glenn A wrote:Nice job Aot. The car looked great today.
Hearing that from you makes it worth it!!

I Know it needs more work on the finish but just getting the fenders on was the goal for the weekend!

I quietly pointed out you and your car to "new Bob" and mentioned all the work you have done to it!

Seeing it in the lot with no headlight bulbs made my day! I haven't driven a car around with missing parts for a long time. I could just picture you getting pulled over and being like " What?" "little old Me!?" "What'd I do?"

williamblanda · Post by **williamblanda** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:05 am

AoT wrote:

AoT, the wonder looks great! The hood turned out mighty spiffy, want to paint my bus next?

gotboost79 · Post by **gotboost79** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:58 am

williamblanda wrote:
AoT wrote:
AoT, the wonder looks great! The hood turned out mighty spiffy, want to paint my bus next?

I recommend these! GREAT price too! (dont forget to get bulbs)

http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=0301600118

E-code beam patterns are far superior to USDOT!

AoT · Post by **AoT** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 12:50 pm

williamblanda wrote:
AoT wrote:
AoT, the wonder looks great! The hood turned out mighty spiffy, want to paint my bus next?

thanks Will, I find this process to be good therapy!! If your bus and I can in the same spot for a few days we could make it happen!!

AoT · Post by **AoT** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 10:33 am

Got the wonder jacked up last night and did some tire rotation so I can get the 145's on. Keeping the tires that hold pressure the best. I stopped at the service station to have them put on the rims and they only got power back today so no go until Friday.

Wondering how much clearance I'll have with the lower profile tires since the sway bar is already low. I have to put the tire on a block of wood to get the jack under it.

Figure the new tires should bring it down maybe 2 inches.

Das Volks Vintage Volkswagen Gruppe

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