Bugsy my '68 Sprite is looking quite well after getting 4 coats of Gloss Hunter Green rolled on to Hood , Fender, and Doors. It came pretty close to matching the BRG that was on the car. I have not wet sanded yet. Wanted to give it a week or so the harden some more before I started wet sanding but compared to waht I had before it looks fabulous even without wetsanding. Paint was applied with a foam high density roller and was cut initially 50/50 with mineral spirits for coats 1 & 2. I upped that to 75/25 paint/mineral spirits for coat 3 because I was not getting some coverage over areas that were primered over some Bondo. Final coat went to a 60/40 mixture as 75/25 I think set up too fast while the 50/50 mix went on well for initial base coating.
The trick is to come back 20-25 minutes after paint was first applied with an almost dry roller and in effect pop the air bubbles that the roller generates. When you first apply you'll see lots of air bubbles as the roller passes over that will dissipate and pop all by themselves as the paint drys. Tipping means to roll in opposite directions to smooth it all together and as paint gets tackier and tackier the air bubbles themselves get smaller and smaller. Need to find that fine line when to stop rolling and let it set up. Rolling after it gets too far along and paint will not self flatten.
I did find the 60/40 worked better as it is thicker on the vertical sides. i.e. side of fenders / doors as it does not run as easily. However even if it does run, tipping does fix that as well.
I'm happy with the results so far. Used less than 1/2 a quart of Rustoleum to paint hood, fenders, & doors 4 coats. I do not see a need to spray this paint. It goes on smooth with a roller, yes it could be smoother but I think most will wet sand out. In my case working in a one car garage with someone who is extremely allergic and non tolerant of my LBC obsession. working with roller method was tolerated. Only a few drops of paint made it onto the floor, I did not need to construct a tent, I did not need to use a respirator, where paint was applied it was controlled and I did not need to worry about paint going everywhere and being deposited on everything in the garage. Let's face it part of tolerance factor we need to overcome in being able to keep our LBC's is keeping the other half happy.
For under the hood, go ahead and spray. Too hard to get coverage with a brush and roller. Ever large areas like the hood came out surprisingly well without runs and minor roller marks. Look compared to what I started with faded BRG, Bondo, Grey Primer, Black Primer and rust on the hood it looks fabulous. Never win any beauty contests but at least I'm all the same color now.
Oh and BTW, total cost to date for paint, sandpaper, rollers, some Bondo. masking tape, about 10 hours of time for prer and paint and total of $38.00 in materials.
Will it last? I don't know, but I've had fun so far, learned more about paint and bodywork and I feel good driving Bugsy again. He's now a 15 footer. Closer than that and you can see where he needs A Pillars replaced and behind the rear wheels needs metal welded in. That will all come in time but in the meantime I can drive him and at least he's all the same color again.
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