Prep for paint?

[PCW]

After talking to the painter who actually had a few video's of painting a Kirkham he stated that a file finish would be fine for paint. The Kirkham was painted in super jet black and looked awesome.

pcw

[fordracing65]

Polish or brush it yourself, it's not difficult...just takes time...

[PCW]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

Polish or brush it yourself, it's not difficult...just takes time...

I have though about that also but I have read horror stories about people trying it and having to send it back to Kirkham to fix and finish. I'm a perfectionist so not sure I really want to put myself in that situation . I really like the brush finish but also finding myself wanting to paint. What I like with a brush finish you don't have to worry about paint chips like you do paint but I enjoy washing and waxing my cars. If I paint it I would have a few extra coated of clear so the finish would really pop.

pcw

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by PCW

After talking to the painter who actually had a few video's of painting a Kirkham he stated that a file finish would be fine for paint. The Kirkham was painted in super jet black and looked awesome.

pcw

Originally Posted by brettco

A paint shop would probably sand with 120 grit to prime it so anything finer is wasted.

I'll respond to both of you at the same time seeing that I owned a production body shop in a past life and have had my hands on over two dozen Cobras, several one of a kind hand crafted automobiles, and enough production cars (stopping at model year 2012)of all shapes and sizes to fill your mall parking lot.

For basic priming and block sanding, the body should be progressively sanded to 220 grit (from a file finish that would be 80 grit, 180, grit, then 220 grit, then primed). For final paint, the car should be progressively sanded to 400-600 grit at the very least, depending on the color and depth of finish you want. For the last Cobra I painted (see "Saltshaker" for a reference here), his car was sanded (dry) progressively to 600 grit, then sealed, then sanded again at 600 grit, then shot in a beautiful base/clear in Jet Black............

In closing, you want to offer advice, make sure the person you ask has actual hands on experience and knows what they are talking about.


Bill S.

[PCW]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

I'll respond to both of you at the same time seeing that I owned a production body shop in a past life and have had my hands on over two dozen Cobras, several one of a kind hand crafted automobiles, and enough production cars (stopping at model year 2012)of all shapes and sizes to fill your mall parking lot.

For basic priming and block sanding, the body should be progressively sanded to 220 grit (from a file finish that would be 80 grit, 180, grit, then 220 grit, then primed). For final paint, the car should be progressively sanded to 400-600 grit at the very least, depending on the color and depth of finish you want. For the last Cobra I painted (see "Saltshaker" for a reference here), his car was sanded (dry) progressively to 600 grit, then sealed, then sanded again at 600 grit, then shot in a beautiful base/clear in Jet Black............

In closing, you want to offer advice, make sure the person you ask has actual hands on experience and knows what they are talking about.


Bill S.

Thanks Bill for the advice and appreciate the info. I looked up the pictures and they look awesome!! Nice work. Got a question, would it be better to paint first, then do engine work/install or the other way around? I'm sure the painter would want to paint without motor and I sure the engine builder would want to do engine install before paint.

pcw

[saltshaker]

Bill painted my car and I sanded it with 600 grit....Bill and his team sanded even more and the results were incredible. The car was sanded and cut and buffed after and if you send me your email I will send you pictures.
Look at my pictures, you will want to listen to Bill's advice!
Jon

[PCW]

Originally Posted by saltshaker

Bill painted my car and I sanded it with 600 grit....Bill and his team sanded even more and the results were incredible. The car was sanded and cut and buffed after and if you send me your email I will send you pictures.
Look at my pictures, you will want to listen to Bill's advice!
Jon

Thanks Jon IM sent.

Craig