Learning to paint....

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I started out playing around with this stuff back in high school. I went to a Tech school for body and paint after high school. I have never done this for an actual job more for a hobby. One thing i will say is don't mix product lines, for example don't paint with PPG paint and then clear it with a different brand. I learned the hard way and have had some wierd stuff happen when I tried it....never again... I don't paint all the time but, you don't need a super expensive paint gun to get good results. I have shot for years with some pretty cheap paint guns. The last car was with the $15.00 H/F purple gun and, I think it worked great. You can use a cheap gun as long as your technique is good. Your paint job is only as good as your prep work.

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I have had a few people recommend finding a mentor or taking a class. Personally I prefer a mentor to a class for a less formal setting. Trouble is finding them. In CO, I knew loads of people who were doing this stuff. In S. TX, I know know one who'd do this.

So, the fall back is to find a "night class" or intro course somewhere. So the question is, do any of you know of anything around San Antonio? West side preferred.

-C
 
I have had a few people recommend finding a mentor or taking a class. Personally I prefer a mentor to a class for a less formal setting. Trouble is finding them. In CO, I knew loads of people who were doing this stuff. In S. TX, I know know one who'd do this.

So, the fall back is to find a "night class" or intro course somewhere. So the question is, do any of you know of anything around San Antonio? West side preferred.

-C
You can take all the clases you want but, it is really only going to teach you technique more than anything. I say this because once your actually doing it you will find things that work for you. You may run air pressure higher or lower than suggested or, you may reduce your clear when the product sheet doesn't tell you to do it but, uou find it lays down better. The tech sheets of the paint gives you the general way to apply the product but, its really in the technique in how you apply it. Lighting and your eyes are going to very important.
 
There is a great Mopar club at SA and I forget their name, just google SA Mopar. I am sure someone there can send you in the right direction!
I am self taught and gave done more than a few of my cars over the years, BUT I still need some real technique taught to my old ***!
Another of one of my stories: Back around 1990 I had picked up a TA Challenger, rust free just surface rust, some door dings, and faded paint. Well I had a couple of country shops that did my project cars I would find but I was "doing" this one myself. I had spent all morning trying to get a booger on the door crease right but NO I can't!!! Then up pulls a pickup at my country shop and out pops my body guy and 2 buddies, all drunk on their asses. A nice fall day for tooling around, looking for spots to road hunt, and beer drinking. I show "Critter" ( that tells you alot about him right!?) my work. He fixes it perfect in like 5 minutes!!!!! Course I watch him and still did not know exactly how he did it!!!!!!
He just told me it had to do with technique and drinking lots of beer!!! ha
 
I have had a few people recommend finding a mentor or taking a class. Personally I prefer a mentor to a class for a less formal setting. Trouble is finding them. In CO, I knew loads of people who were doing this stuff. In S. TX, I know know one who'd do this.

So, the fall back is to find a "night class" or intro course somewhere. So the question is, do any of you know of anything around San Antonio? West side preferred.

-C
Cuda416

If you are going to find a mentor find one who has the experience/credentials you need to learn the trade properly. There are too many back yard types who are just learning themselves. Check out the prominent paint/body shops in your area, ask people that work in the trade, talk to your local auto paint store, they can point you to a pro. Don't give up.!!! I'm rooting for you.

Most community colleges offer night school paint and body courses. Ask aroud, make phone calls, Google is your friend too.

My 2 cents for whatever it's worth.

sscuda
 
There is a great Mopar club at SA and I forget their name, just google SA Mopar. I am sure someone there can send you in the right direction!

One of those guys that did my body/paint was a young guy that was the mechanic at a state highway barn, self taught, he did perfect work and his learning curve was short, but he I guess was a natural.
A little instruction can go a long way an speed up your abilities.
 
Cuda416

Start small and work your way up. Read a lot. Take a night school course if you can. Find a mentor willing to take you on. Practice, practice, practice and practice some more. Learn bodywork too because they go hand in hand, I've taught many painters in my time and the one's with desire to paint are the ones who excel at automotive spray painting. Refinish paint reps are a good source of reliable info too. The experience will come if you make it happen.

I started in the trade when I was 13 years old, going to school I passed a body/paint shop on the way to and from public and high school. One day I stopped in and asked if they needed a kid to clean up and wash cars, etc. I worked there some days after school, on Saturdays, civic holidays and summer holidays. When I went to university I only worked for them during the summer holidays. In my off-time at home I must have painted everything I could get my hands on. At the the bump shop they had me paining everything from a new football helmets, appliances , house shutters, steel railings to the insides of a milk trucks. I did a **** ton of prep work before they let me paint a used car. My own first car I think I painted it at least 6 times. I read every custom painting magazine I could find. My mentor was probably the best painter around, or at least I thought so (RIP Keith). One day during summer vacation time their painter didn't show up for work (he was a drunk) so the manager threw me into paint a used pick up truck. I had only painted a few cars including my own. The truck turned out pretty good. I painted a bunch more cars that day and the manager (Keith) loved them. Their regular painter got the boot and I painted cars the rest of the summer. My record for a day painting cars was 9 completes and 3 partials.

When I asked the manager of the paint shop if I could apprentice for my automotive spray painter's license he said you already have the hours and education, you just need to write the exam. He filled out the paperwork, I wrote and aced the test, got my diploma May 1973.

After I graduated from university I didn't land an engineering job for about 6-8 months so I worked at the bump shop until such time as an engineering job came around. Even working as an automotive mechanical engineer my heart was still in the paint booth. After 3 years working in an non paint related engineering role I landed a paint manufacturing engineering job at Ford and worked for them for 3+ long years, then got offered a technical service manager job for the world's largest OEM paint manufacturer and after 12 years worked my way up to director level. Seeing the opportunities I then went into OEM Paint Process Consulting to the OEM's and have loved it. I'm semi-retired now and pick and choose my clients. This career has also afforded me the opportunity to build and own my dream cars and pay for 3 kids to attend university.

My suggestion is; grab yourself a book or books on automotive refinishing. Learn the basics and build from there.

FYI - To this day I still get pumped when I'm about to apply color to a car or motorcycle parts.

I've made the same offer to a few others on this site. I'm on this site every so often and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me at any time. I will help you an way I can.

One last thing; in the auto spray painting industry you are working with very harmful chemicals, please protect yourself, use every precaution when working in that environment. You will thank me when you are retired.

sscuda
Excellent advice and I applaud your willingness to help others. I did the same with technical schools starting at 18 and retired now. I am my happiest when Im in my shop working. I always get a rush of adrenaline in the paint booth. Your advice on safety is the most important thing anyone can learn. Thats why I am 66 and in good health.
 
If you want a good start and are in Houston, San Jacinto Jr College has all the classes and equipment. I started there in 1984 because you get to work on your project and store it with professional teachers from the industry. At the same time you earn credits if thats your thing. I went to learn and to have a shop with all the equipment. They have the latest frame machines, paint booths and tools including paint guns. They had Sat classes that lasted all day. I took those for years. If you dont know how to do it the teacher does and they will help you. Made a lot of friends during those days some of whom now have their own shops. This is my own personal ride a 69 Dart Swinger I've had since 1974 that I am just finishing up.

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If you want a good start and are in Houston, San Jacinto Jr College has all the classes and equipment. I started there in 1984 because you get to work on your project and store it with professional teachers from the industry. At the same time you earn credits if thats your thing. I went to learn and to have a shop with all the equipment. They have the latest frame machines, paint booths and tools including paint guns. They had Sat classes that lasted all day. I took those for years. If you dont know how to do it the teacher does and they will help you. Made a lot of friends during those days some of whom now have their own shops.

Unfortunately I'm further south, just outside of San Antonio. I've been trying to find something local but I think in end it's just going to be me breaking things and fixing them. Typically how I learn :)
 
Sorry for the long rant .
I had a 72 Demon 340/4spd just out of High school. I dented the r rear quarter right where 4 lines come to a point next to the tailights. I was trying to knock it out when a friend of my dad's came by. He told me to wait ten minutes and left. When he came back he had an apple bushel basket with an electric grinder. body hammers and dollys, metal files, a devillbis spray gun and more ! He showed me how to work the dent out and then said I could have the tools ! He just sold his bodyshop and was retiring to florida. Well there was a lot of rusty cars do to bad metal back then so I was fabricating door bottoms and quarter bottoms , pop riveting them on then bondo primer and paint. They came out god aweful but my customers were friends and just wanted an inspection sticker. I got better and better. I restored a 1956 Ford F-100 pickup and painted it myself. I was a lumber salesman at the time and a customer who owned a bodyshop kept asking me who painted it. I couldn't believe I did it myself in a garage and did not even buff it after. He offered me a job and I did autobody for 20 years . Nasty trade health wise but I enjoyed the work. Now I've been a Building Engineer for about 20 years now . Restored and painted both my Darts.

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Sorry for the long rant .
I had a 72 Demon 340/4spd just out of High school. I dented the r rear quarter right where 4 lines come to a point next to the tailights. I was trying to knock it out when a friend of my dad's came by. He told me to wait ten minutes and left. When he came back he had an apple bushel basket with an electric grinder. body hammers and dollys, metal files, a devillbis spray gun and more ! He showed me how to work the dent out and then said I could have the tools ! He just sold his bodyshop and was retiring to florida. Well there was a lot of rusty cars do to bad metal back then so I was fabricating door bottoms and quarter bottoms , pop riveting them on then bondo primer and paint. They came out god aweful but my customers were friends and just wanted an inspection sticker. I got better and better. I restored a 1956 Ford F-100 pickup and painted it myself. I was a lumber salesman at the time and a customer who owned a bodyshop kept asking me who painted it. I couldn't believe I did it myself in a garage and did not even buff it after. He offered me a job and I did autobody for 20 years . Nasty trade health wise but I enjoyed the work. Now I've been a Building Engineer for about 20 years now . Restored and painted both my Darts.

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"Rant" like that anytime! Awesome story about the old man.
 
Unfortunately I'm further south, just outside of San Antonio. I've been trying to find something local but I think in end it's just going to be me breaking things and fixing them. Typically how I learn :)
Your actually west 3 hours. Send me an IM and Ill give you my phone #. Wont hurt to talk about what you want to do.
 
Your actually west 3 hours. Send me an IM and Ill give you my phone #. Wont hurt to talk about what you want to do.

Hah, yeah been here three years and I still don't know where I am. I always have it in my head Houston is up around Dallas latitude. lol.
 
Hah, yeah been here three years and I still don't know where I am. I always have it in my head Houston is up around Dallas latitude. lol.

Our daughter/husband and grandchildren live there but hey really if you need someone to runs things past on your Mopar I M me.
 
I bought a new paint gun and it finally came in this week.
This gun will shoot any paint by anybody, it is a Cadillac, it just looks at the paint in the can, and it jumps on the metal smooth.
Awest Iwata LPH-400 with a 1.4 tip, it shoots smooth, way better than all the other guns I have, not cheap at $450 but worth the money.
I really wanted the $750 SuperNova gun they sell, but a little close to Christmas for that expense.

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Painted a gas tank, just to see what it would do, it came out nice.

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I bought a new paint gun and it finally came in this week.
This gun will shoot any paint by anybody, it is a Cadillac, it just looks at the paint in the can, and it jumps on the metal smooth.
Awest Iwata LPH-400 with a 1.4 tip, it shoots smooth, way better than all the other guns I have, not cheap at $450 but worth the money.
I really wanted the $750 SuperNova gun they sell, but a little close to Christmas for that expense.

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Painted a gas tank, just to see what it would do, it came out nice.

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Snazzy! lol, looks great!
 
A gun most people have not heard of is Sagola, made in Spain. Very high precision, no gaskets. Love the way it sprays and comes with two air caps you get to pick from four. I definitely would consider this in the same league as SATA and Iwata. I bought the Extreme 4600 with a clear and HVLP caps for base without the built in air pressure regulator. $450.00. Upgraded from an older Devilbis. I think most of todays guns do a good job especially when you get used to using it. Do not buy knockoffs, sure you might get lucky and get one that works but the Chinese quality control is so lousy I would not risk any paint job I am doing with one. The Dart pics are before cut and buff. Used Sherwin Williams CC200 glamour clear.

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I bought a new paint gun and it finally came in this week.
This gun will shoot any paint by anybody, it is a Cadillac, it just looks at the paint in the can, and it jumps on the metal smooth.
Awest Iwata LPH-400 with a 1.4 tip, it shoots smooth, way better than all the other guns I have, not cheap at $450 but worth the money.
I really wanted the $750 SuperNova gun they sell, but a little close to Christmas for that expense.

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Painted a gas tank, just to see what it would do, it came out nice.

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A very nice gun, I like the quality of Iwata. I have an airbrush from them is flawless.
 
My rule of thumb. Anything I do for one of my old projects with darn near 60year old pant is such an improvement for a car that WILL be a driver, I could wipe paint on with a paper towel and it would be an improvement!!!!
 
30 second house painting story: Borrowed my neighbors $3000 paint sprayer and he hands it to me "ready to go" I buy 5 gallons of paint, prime it and start shooting. The thing has a 150 foot hose on it so I can walk around my entire house and get everything without moving the pump. Im shooting and the spray pattern is a 5" circle, "man, this aint right...WTH?" I look at the tip and its a hole? I turn the knob and it only goes half way and stops. I dont want to break this thing so I continue to shoot from a little farther back but its still like painting a house with a sharpie! It did under the eves great from 10 feet away, but 6 hours into the job he pulls up and walks over, takes the gun and turns the knob a full 180 (with force) and the fan pattern appears! I'm in shock that I painted 75% of my house (and 10 gallons) in the clean out mode! The gun was so caked with old dried paint that I didnt realize the plastic knob (that I didnt want to break) turned 180 from clean out hole to fan pattern slit! I did the last 25% in about 30 minutes with the 18" fan spray...and ended up going over the entire house again with the fan tip and another 5 gallons. So moral is to know your equipment! I gotta laugh at it as I was so convinced that that gun didnt have a fan pattern, DOH! And that 150' hose bit me in the *** as it held about a gallon of paint and when it started sucking air, I still had 300 square feet left. I added water and just ran it until I was shooting clear. That part was the back corner next to the trash cans so don't look back there! I ended up power washing that sprayer and gun and giving it back to him looking like new. He was happy, I kinda wasn't......I got a quote for $6-8K for the paint job so I decided it was up to me.
 
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