Blending automotive paint into an existing finish.

Blending automotive paint into an existing finish. 

Once the area is repaired, cleaned, and ready for paint, using the chart as an example, mask off your paint area, extending it 3 times further than your repair area (back masking will make a softer edge).  Spray your first coat of paint on the repair area extending into the step 1 area.  On the second coat, extend it into the step 2 area.  For the final coat you will need a blending agent such as Matrix MPB-500.  Read the directions on your blending agent. You may need to reduce the blending agent. Mix the ready to spray blending agent with the reduced paint at a 1:1 ratio and spray the Step 3 area.  If necessary you can lightly blend the edges with 100% ready to spray blending agent.

Magna-Stitcher by Motor Guard

More and more plastic parts are being added to new vehicles. Repairing plastic can be a problem issue.  Quite often an adhesive is just not going to do the job, something more durable and stronger is needed to repair the damage.  Motor Guard has come out with a new product called the Magna-Stitcher as a solution - no more problem.  The Magna-Stitcher turns your stud welder into a plastic repair system. On the underside of the plastic use the Magna-Stitcher's stainless steel stakes to "stitch" the plastic break back together, giving a strong permanent bond.  Once the back of the broken part is stitched, complete the cosmetic repairs on the visible side of the piece. Magna Stitcher is available at 66 Auto Color.

How Much Paint Do I Need?

"How much product do I need to spray my project?"
This is always a difficult one to answer, since each paint formula is different. Here are a few things to keep in mind when trying to decide how much to order.  In most cases, you will need more product for silvers, yellows, oranges, and some reds since they do not have as much pigment in the formula as the darker colors like blacks, greys, blues, and darker greens. Back ground color is another element that needs to be considered.  If the same color is being painted over an existing color not as much new paint will be needed as compared to changing drastically from one color to another, for example a red to a white.  Another factor in determining coverage is technique, experienced painters generally need less paint, since they have fewer errors to correct (for example, sanding out a run and then applying a repair coat over the area). A starting estimate is 4 oz. of already reduced paint per panel or 3'x3' to 3'x5' area. The Spray Max 1k base coat aerosol, in general, will cover a 3'x5' area with two coats. The Spray Max 2k single-stage aerosol will cover somewhat less, since it also has activator and clear coat in with the paint.

Honda CB550 Motorcycle Restoration Using Spray Max Aerosols.

Honda CB550 Motorcycle Restoration Using Spray Max Aerosols.

Bill has been restoring his Honda CB550.  He painted it using the Spray Max 1K aerosols and picked a beautiful color Inferno Red Pearlcoat. He used two Spray Max 1K aerosol paint cans and applied 6 or 7 coats.  He followed this with the Spray Max Glamour Clearcoat. Bill said, "Color is spot on and the 8 coats of clear made it sparkle."

Thanks, Bill, for sharing your project with us.