Prep for paint?
 

Trying to decide if I want to paint or keep it brushed. But I have a question, I had read in a different post that "bill Wallace" had ordered his car sanded to 300 grit and then complete the polishing. As much as I'm sure the 15K Kirkham charges for a finished brushed/polishing is well worth it, it puts another hit to my finances. Does anyone know what the charge is for just the 300 grit finish? what finished would be consider paint ready? There's a painter located just 30 miles from me that is rather well know for painting cobra's, his work is really top notch. I love the brushed look but sometimes I feel I will miss detailing the car and seeing a color just pop.

pcw

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

Shouldn't you ask the Kirkhams?

Thanks Brettco!

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

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

Hi pcw,

Have you ordered the Kirkham yet, when is it coming, what options?
Congratulations
Maurice

Maurice,
You probably don't remember me, I'm friends with Justin R. and he brought me over to your house a few years ago to see your Kirkham. You took me for a very memorable ride :). I remember you offered me ear plugs and I thought, why would I need ear plugs, well I soon learned why. :) Anyway, I have not yet ordered my Kirkham, may be a little while. I have had both my daughters weddings the last 3 years that have decimated my Kirkham fund, kids come first :).

Right now I'm just getting my budget for the project together. Really just looking to get the roller, may go for the upgraded adjustable suspension, a few billet options. Still trying to decide on the brushed finish or paint. I have been talking to Ken Pike for StreetRod Painters, his work is so impressive. As far as the engine, that will be the most difficult decision. I know you went with a KC, your motor is just plain awesome! I have been talking to Tom Lucus from FE Specialists, Brent from B2 Motorsports and KC.

Do you have any recommendation for options for my Kirkham? If you were to do it all over again, would you have changed anything? Last July I was in Provo and stop by Kirkham's and was talking to Dave, then he was delivering cars a year after they were ordered, not sure what the time frame is right now.

pcw (Craig)

Hi Craig,

I do remember you and the noisy ride we had, music to my ears,ha

Family does come first for sure, but then its your turn.

My car had all the options at the time including stainless steel frame and Kirkham rear pumpkin,that was before ss pipes,billet fill tank, 2 piece billet oil pan, etc. I later did order their complete billet external throw out bearing assembly as I needed it.

Tom for sure can deliver any engine product you desire for a competitive price.

As far as the finish for paint prep, I remember reading somewhere that the file finish is fine, just like Ken says.

Let me know if you would like to take a refresher ride,ha
Maurice

Thanks Maurice, I will take you up on that, this time I will bring my ear plugs:). All my kids are married except my youngest, she is 12 so I have time to get the Kirkham in way before that happens.

Yes Tom has been great in our preliminary conversations, we have discussed keeping it more old school, original 427 SO block/motor, with Edelbrock Ported heads and a Victor intake, diamond racing pistons, H beam rods etc... with a Holley 830 carb. But the more I read about an all aluminum 482, Tom's 482 put's out just over 600HP and 630Torque. So I have a little time to figure that out but right now I'm leaning toward the 482 set up.

Craig

Kirkham's standard no charge file finish is what is recommended, if you desire to paint the car.

"Q: If I eventually plan to have the car painted, what is the best aluminum finish to order ?

A: The filed finish is best for painting. There is no extra charge for this finish and it is the best finish for your painter to start with."

Old FAQ: KMS FAQ

From their Manual: Body Finishing

Only YOU can answer the paint vs. bare aluminum question. You will get opinions on both sides of the issue.

Here's my opinion. The car is stunning in polished aluminum. See the Shelby CSX7000 FIA car in polished aluminum that Computerworks just posted in the last day or two. I've always preferred the uniqueness of bare aluminum. 99.99% of the Cobras out there are painted. And if you do decide to paint your Cobra, please don't paint it beige. :CRY:

EDIT: Link to polished aluminum Shelby CSX 7000 USRRC FIA http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/all-...a-auction.html

Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes PAINT!

http://www.clubcobra.com/classifieds...uct/5169/cat/2

Dare to be different............ :p

There I fixed it for you.

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 RodKnock, appreciate the advise. Although I respect everyone's choice, a polished Kirkham is just to much for me, I much prefer the brushed finish between the two. Right now now I thinking Wimbledon white with guardsman blue strips. It has always been my favor color combo. No beige for me LOL.

Craig

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

LOL, I have noticed not to many Kirkham's are painted, I understand they are so unique in the brushed or polished finish. Can't go wrong either way!

pcw

Paint first, don't you ever watch the show Overhaulin...:LOL:

Black paint
 

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