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Old 07-20-2010, 08:20 PM   #1
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Paint prep

How about a light sandblasting instead of sanding? Sure would be easier and quicker.
Anyone ever try it?

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Old 07-20-2010, 09:27 PM   #2
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Re: Paint prep

Opus,

Give a little more information about the current condition of your rig. Is it painted, rusty, bare metal and you want to repaint it? Sandblasting will take it down to bare metal, and be very careful in sandblasting large flat areas - it will warp it. If you are thinking you can lightly blast it, just enough to rough up the paint - the texture of the blasted paint will show through the new paint like you wouldn't believe.

Sandblasting is a messy time-consuming job, I farm it out as often as I can.
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Old 07-20-2010, 09:38 PM   #3
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Re: Paint prep

Its nicely painted school bus yellow. I am going to repaint it. I thought using a very fine sand would be a better option than sanding....ugh. I was just wanting to scuff it up, as I would in sanding. I will probably end up rolling the paint on. Seems to be the way everyone else does it.
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Old 07-20-2010, 10:07 PM   #4
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Re: Paint prep

I would get either an electric or air DA sander and go over the entire bus. You would be amazed how fast it will go. Much faster than blasting or anything else. An air DA requires a large air compressor to operate - so electric may be your best bet. You are not sanding to get down to the metal, just to get the shine off the old paint and give the new paint something to stick to.

I sprayed mine, but I was after a different look.....

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Old 07-20-2010, 10:29 PM   #5
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Re: Paint prep

I too was thinking a DA, I have enough air. I was wondering about rub rails and all those odd things, hence the sand blasting thought.
Nice looking ride, '57?
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Old 07-21-2010, 08:04 AM   #6
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Re: Paint prep

It is a 1955 Ford.

The interior work is ongoing and slow. I have a posting of it in the conversions section, but I haven't updated it in a while. I need to do that and get everyone caught up.
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Old 07-21-2010, 09:58 AM   #7
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Re: Paint prep

What grit would you suggest?

i have painted 5 buses, and i prefer to use an electric palm sander. Should only take an hour or so to do the entire bus. Like someone else stated. You do not need to get down to bare metal, all you want to do is make the old paint dull (not shiny) Then i wipe the entire surface down using paper towels and mineral spirits. none of that save the earth imitation paint thinner crap, but actual mineral spirits. Then wipe it down again. This removes all of the paint dust you just created with the sander. I also like to wear latex surgical gloves when i am dealing with paint. Makes cleaning my hands a lot easier!

I don't remember what grit i use....somewhere around 180 or 220 i suppose.
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Old 07-21-2010, 03:33 PM   #8
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Re: Paint prep

I normally start with 220 to cut through the old paint then do a bit finer to get rid of some scratches.
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Old 07-21-2010, 03:36 PM   #9
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Re: Paint prep

I used Scotch brite pads and elbow greese on the ribs and areas where I couldn't get my DA into. Again just trying to remove the shine for the new paint to stick.

Good Luck.
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Old 07-21-2010, 03:45 PM   #10
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Re: Paint prep

Very helpful, thanks.
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Old 07-21-2010, 06:17 PM   #11
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Re: Paint prep

What the final abrasive level before painting is depends on what you plan to paint it with, the manner of application, the temperatures you expect to paint in and your sensitivity to visible defects in the finish.

Yeah, I paint, daily.
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Old 07-21-2010, 06:30 PM   #12
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Re: Paint prep

Probably a roller. Sure it will be 80's with 14% humidity. I dont want it to look nasty, b ut it doesnt have to be perfect either. I figure I would surely thin the paint down some.
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Old 07-21-2010, 08:10 PM   #13
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Re: Paint prep

Me, I'd use a 220 grit on a DA, and follow it up with 400 grit by hand, sticking to horizontal strokes. But, I have more sensitivity to surface defects.

Hint: a DA or palm sander will leave curly-q's or swirls. They will be visible from every angle. hand sanding with a lighter grade horizontally will minimize the viewing angle of sanding scratches.

Pick a panel to test on, paying close attention to your paint/reducer ratio. When you it the magic ratio for the temps and humidity, one that allows the paint to flow out without runs...
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Old 07-22-2010, 12:54 PM   #14
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Re: Paint prep

I always scuff the paint with an air palm sander using 320 on the flat areas and hand sand the rails and areas with 320 that it cant get into. I use 220 over any rough spots, painted lettering etc and followup with 320. If youre rolling it on you can probably use 180 or 220 but you can see the scratches if the paint is applied thin. Blow it all off with air then wipe it down with wax/grease remover. Id find an auto paint supply place local or online and get 1 roll of 3M PSA (sticky back) 6" round 320 and a smaller pack of 220 and 1 gallon of silicon/wax remover. Having enough sandpaper and changing it often will keep the job moving quickly. Ive had bad luck with other brands of sandpaper clumping so dont cheap out with this, its relatively inexpensive considering all of the time put into painting.
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Old 07-22-2010, 04:10 PM   #15
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Re: Paint prep

one more thing....

i find that washing the bus with water is very very bad before you paint. water gets trapped under the rub rails. The water runs out when spraying the paint and makes a really big mess.
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