Advice on Painting.

Option 1.
Get a quote to paint the removable bits from the car.

Option 2.
DIY, have a compressor ....

Any hints on Paint/ Dry Air / books /How to.... etc ?

Cheers
Peter

What's wrong with a brush and the Orange Dulux you have used in the past?

Want it tidy

depends how tidy you want it, and the sort of funds you have
if i was in your sitauation, and without funds, id probably attempt it myself, cock it up, wait till i had the funds and pay to get it done
option two with funds, spend the money and get it done proffesionally
im an idiot though with spraying
although i can spray gelcoat really well on boats just not paint for some reason

My God James,how do you spray gel coat?
I always thought that was a specialist procedure .
Not saying your not a specialist,just that only boat builders normally have the equipment
Go on J.W. prove me wrong,again

Dave it's complicated and very tricky but cuts repair time by 50% if not more. Hardly any sanding a it's flat you just need to wet flat it to match it in
Months of practice !

Plus equipment not that pricey anyway just spraying gel can be a pain, fish eyes, fell going off in the gun, etc it's a headache and ball ache to get correct but nice you've got it your there

Subarupete, there are a few threads on paint in this section, but the gist of it (as I recall - because I am intending to do this myself...) is, the easiest, most reasonably priced, least toxic, etc. etc. paint finish to use is cellulose. It's very forgiving, can be cut and polished if necessary (tho' hopefully won't be...), and is well priced.

Old Nail (I think) also brought our attention to an epoxy primer (NOT the 2-pack paint stuff that'll kill you dead) which is high-build (so covers smoothly), highly adhesive, seals metal surfaces thoroughly to prevent corrosion, etc. I haven't yet used it myself, but do intend to.

I believe this is the stuff: http://www.rust.co.uk/filestore/epoxy.pdf

I plan to use this primer followed by cellulose as my top coat for the reasons outlined above. The main drawback with celli is that it's a bit soft and easily chipped. However, everything else about it is pretty much a plus.

I understand the latest water-based paints are very impressive, although they do need a lacquer overcoat to give them a shine. And they are pricy.. That's my understanding of them - I've no actual experience.

Should you DIY this? Absolutely. It's a blast - hugely rewarding. If you are at all practical - and you are - then you'll master it enough to get a decent finish in no time. It needs confidence more than anything - hesitancy or nervousness can make you over-react and spoil the finish (too thick or too thin!). The main 'tip' I can give is to LOOK carefully at what you are doing when laying down each coat and respond to what you see. Have good lighting from a few directions (although a bright daylight-lit garage is good), and study the paint as it lands on the panel from the gun; when you make your next pass, half overlapping the previous one, look at the finish. If it looks wet and shiny, you're doing well - but make sure you aren't laying it on too thick so it could run! However, good chance it'll look sandy or rough or orange-peely, in which case lay another coat on top immediately to wet and thicken it more. How fast you make each 'pass' will determine the thickness & finish of the coat - as well as, of course, the settings of the gun. Additional coats can be applied after the previous one has flashed-off thoroughly - 20 minutes or so? (I think...)

There's tons of other info; make sure the floor is well vacuumed! And immediately prior to spraying, tack-rag the surface to remove all settled dust. The finish from cellulose can be superb, but it will show up a less than perfect finish below - so preparation is key. If using cellulose, make sure the thinners you use for the top coats are good quality. Cheap thinners can be used for cleaning the equipment...

You can either buy 2nd-hand equipment which will mean you can get better quality stuff, or even buy new as it isn't cripplingly expensive - adequate compressors can be had from around £100, and an adequate gun for - oooh - £40+? (Again, I think it's worth trying to get a good 2nd-hand Devilbiss for £40 rather than a new Clarke or similar for the same money.) If it's a one-of job, you should be able to sell on 2nd-hand equipment for what you paid for it. Good chance you'll hold on to it, tho'...

Tell me late august pete, I can have a go, got all the kit ect..

Do it did mine with cellulose took all of about an hour doesn't look perfect but is pretty good if I'd been bothered with putting in the extra work with preping it properly and finishing it would look spot on. Has to be better than spending alod on a pro job and not being happy with the half arsed attempt at spraying it alot of spray shops seem to do!