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How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
I am in the process of selecting a paint color for my build.
I have zero paint experience. This is all new to me.
To keep variables down I was planning on just using all Eastwood products.
Problem is they don't have very many white colors.
I really like the white that new Audi models are painted in. I was going to go with the same old Arctic White that my 2013 V6 is, but then decided I want something that looks a little bit more custom.
The car was originally Arctic White.
I will be doing jams and all. Entire car down to metal.
Eastwood's best "match" is something called Pure White.
How would I go about finding the Audi White, and would this be a huge pain the butt and significantly harder and more costly? If it is, I may just say screw it and stick with the Pure White.
Other thing to consider is that the Pure White is a single stage that does not NEED a clear, but one can be applied.
Since I am new to all this that seemed like a safer route to go.
If I need to learn to spray base coat and then clear to get what I want, I am OK with that.
Just looking for some general guidance and advice at this point. Thanks in advance!
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
Sounds complicated to tell you the truth. I am no paint guy and I don't know jack about brand to know if what I am getting is any good or not.
I just want something that goes on easy and gives me as few headaches as possible.
It would be cool to match the Audi white, but if that is going to take a ton of leg work and open me up to higher risk because people assume I have a clue about any of this, then it is not worth it.
I need more of cookie cutter application that I can follow. Not looking to do anything crazy custom. This is going to be a commuter car I can take to shows for fun, not to compete.
I didn't know it would be this hard to get a known OEM color. I did send "custom paints" an e-mail asking if they can supply the white. If they can't, then screw it and I will pick the brightest white I can find on Eastwood, Jegs or Summitracing.
you can use that site to find the paint code you're looking for. Once you find it, call the parts store and ask for a quote on the code of white you want.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
Seems like a great website. I just don't like the idea of me searching around, assuming the website has the correct codes, then ordering a paint that may or may not have detailed instructions on how to apply it since it may assume I am a body shop and already know how.
I don't know how. The more I think about it, the more hassle this all seems.
Might just go with a simple "Pure White" from Eastwood and call it done.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
I'm contemplating painting my car as well, kinda in the same boat, not sure what brand to go with, to prime or not to prime, bc/cc or or single stage, what sprayer to use (i have the purple harbor freight gun already but is that good enough?). there are a ton of variables and it's a big job that everybody is going to see.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
There is a ton to learn about not only paint but the preparation its going to take.
I spent $1,500.00 in just materials needed to get a paint job.
Take a look at this thread to get and idea as to what can be involved.
It took me around two years to to get the money for mine but was worth every penny.
I would watch more then few videos on YouTube on "how its done".
As far as selecting a color of paint, it was suggested to me by my painter to go to Chevy dealerships and look at cars on there lot.
If you find one you like ask for the paint code. Much better than looking at paint swatches at a "Professional Automotive Paint" Sales shop.
Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; 09-21-2017 at 02:17 AM.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
Single stage will not hold up as long as bc/cc if the car stays outside. You will not get the shine or depth with single stage as the bc/cc.
That being said, single stage would be a good starting point for a beginner. Doing three to four good coats would be the start. Then wet/color sand and buff. This will get rid of any dirt/bugs/orange peel. Going with white, you should still have a good shine and not fade as say red or black. You could always spray clear over the single stage if you wish.
If you can buy a pint or quart of the color you want and spray a test panel to get use to painting would be great.
Dont let bc/cc paint scare you off. The base on a solid color (non metallic) is easy enough to spray. If you get dirt in it, you can sand it out before spraying the clear. You will have to sand/buff the clear also just like the single stage. Three good coats of clear should keep you from sanding through to the base.
Getting the paint code for a car is no big deal. Check the RPO codes for the WA number and take it to the shop and they can mix the color. They can mix it in either single stage or bc/cc. Some colors are cheaper than others. Pearl / metallic / Red can be expensive.
Metallic and pearls would not be the best choice for a beginner. You can get zebra stripes with you spray pattern, plus it is best to have the car together when you paint so the panels match. With solid colors, you can paint a panel at a time if need be.
Any paint you buy will have directions on the can or info available from the company on how to mix / spray the product. It will give you mix ratios, what psi to spray and flash time between coats. What temperature reducer you need depends on the temperature the shop will be when you spray. Hotter days the paint drys quicker so you need a slower reducer. On colder days you will need a faster reducer. The paint supplier can advise you on which to get. Plus the products need to be compatible with the primers you use. So getting everything from the same supplier is best.
The Eastwood / Summit Racing / Jegs paint should be fine for your project. Duplicolor also have their line of shop paints also. But dont be afraid of a local shop. I prefer PPG products, but it can get expensive.
Hope this info helps.
Last edited by bluegrassz; 09-21-2017 at 07:44 AM.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
bluegrassz: very helpful. Thanks. I think in the end I will not die if the car is not the same shade of white that Audis are. I just want a nice white. I will use bs/cc.
Ron U.S.M.C: I have watched literally dozens and dozens of YouTube videos, I agree they are very helpful. I even bought a DVD called "How to paint your car at home" by KevinTetz. Watched it 4 times. Very very useful video. A lot to learn but if you are not making a show car, def not rocket science. I agree doing the work yourself is part of the pride of owning the car after.
Since I am not married the color, I will buy the color chip sheet from Eastwood and see if I like any of the whites, if they look like crap I will look elsewhere. Thank for all the tips.
Oh one last thing. I was on the phone with Eastwood tech last night for at least 30 min. Answered a ton of questions.
In conclusion I will be bringing the entire car down to metal, followed by epoxy primer on everything minus the wheel tubs. Those will be metal straight to truck bedliner.
Rest of the car will go to 2K epoxy primer, followed by fillers where needed. Then followed by Contour primer high build surfacer, then base coat, clear coat.
Doing my first run of supplies tonight. I think the entire job will cost me around $2k when all said and done, mainly because I plan to make a jig to flip the car on its side so I can strip the floor down to metal and paint the floor like I paint the main body. Followed by rubberized undercoating where needed.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
What you have planned may EASILY take you 300+ hours. If you think looking up a paint code is too hard or too much of a hassle then I'm afraid this project is going to be faaar too much for you. There is so much you're going to have to learn as you go through trial and error... looking up a paint code will literally be the simplest part this project.
I'm not trying to be mean, I hope you don't take it that way, but more often than not when someone with no experience in body and paint takes on a project like this it doesn't get finished because they didn't realize the time and skill involved. Just know what your getting into and be sure you'll have the time and patience to finish before you start.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
Zs TransAm: No offense taken, but I have had this car since I was 16, and 33 now. I have spent will over quadruple that working on my car to this point. 300+ hrs is no big deal to me, like not at all. I am fully aware of the work. I have read book about it, watched videos about it and read hundreds of posts about it. Clearly you are misinterpreting what I am saying as being "scared" of work or something. Not the case at all. Based off my thousands of hours of working on my car and self learning I know what it takes to learn something new. Welding, wiring the car form scratch, whatever...
Based on all my experience I have learned to take advice and when people say, buy all your products form the same place to ensure that chemically all the products are happy with each other. I am taking that advice. Period.
Color of the car is not the end of the world. To simplify my paint job I will buy the paint form Eastwood since that is where I am buying my primer and surfacer. That's it.
I have already looked up the paint code for the Audi. I just don't care about it that much. Limiting variables on a new project is more important at this time.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
From the looks of Eastwoods choices, the bright white would be your best option. Pure white is a possibility. The Wimbledon or Cameo white will be more off white. If you get the chip samples would be great. I lean to a white with a blue undertone for the brightest. The goto color back in the day was a Nissan superwhite. Spraying a test panel would be ideal.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
bluegrassz: Thanks for the suggestions. I have the paint chip chart in the mail. Should have it sometime next week. I totally agree with you, more of a blue undertone looks "brighter". I think Bright White will be the way to go. Very excited to get this part of the build moving forward, even if it is not super fast.
Here is how the front clip sits as of this morning.
Only metal work left is the custom brackets needed to hold the 31"x19" Griffin LS swap radiator, then I can do final metal prep to get ready for the epoxy primer that is in the mail.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
Originally Posted by dennisbernal91z
bluegrassz: Thanks for the suggestions. I have the paint chip chart in the mail. Should have it sometime next week. I totally agree with you, more of a blue undertone looks "brighter". I think Bright White will be the way to go. Very excited to get this part of the build moving forward, even if it is not super fast.
Here is how the front clip sits as of this morning.
Only metal work left is the custom brackets needed to hold the 31"x19" Griffin LS swap radiator, then I can do final metal prep to get ready for the epoxy primer that is in the mail.
Looks good.
You said something about going from bare metal to bed liner in the wheel wells. I would advise a coat of epoxy just to be safe. It may be ok but I would not chance it. As far as bed line, I like the results of Raptor Liner.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
To be honest, that's what I wanted to do. The tech at Eastwood told me i don't need to. I want to play it safe. I just want to ensure it will stick to the epoxy primer. I was planning inn using U-pol 2k bedliner. It is what Detroit Speed and engineering uses.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
dennisbernal91z,
Looks like you have done a lot of research and have taken this seriously.
Your off to a great start. Keep up the good work, its very inspiring for others.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
Thanks Ron!
I actually got my wife to help out last weekend prep the first corner for epoxy primer.
I bought a few cans of the 2K epoxy primer a while back thinking it would be enough. No way will it be. So instead of letting it sit, I figured I would hyper detail strip the front clip down to metal in quadrants to limit exposure to rust. I have a dehumidifier running 24/7 in my garage. I did the fist quadrant over the weekend. My first time spraying 2K product. Once I have my spray gun and this first pass sorted out (stopping rust), I will apply a second and third coat to the entire front clip out of the gun.
I still need to fab brackets to hold the LS swap Griffin Rad. Then the metal work will be complete and I can really get the front clip sorted out.
Over the winter I will be building braces to flip the car on its side using engine stands. Should make it possible to get the floor painted easily. Anyways, I have a build thread were I will be showing progress in detail.
Paint chip chart should be here this week or next. Fingers crossed that there is a white that looks OK.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
Eastwood paint chip chart showed up last night... Not too happy.
The Pure White really doesn't look all that white when compared to the white paper the pamphlet is made out of. I am looking for a color more like a piece of printer paper.
For some reason I feel like that's what the Audi cars I have seen look like.
I think for now I will keep working on the radiator area and get the stripped areas coated in epoxy primer. After that I will dive back into looking for the right color.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
Hate to hear about the paint chip. Maybe run by B&T Auto Body Supply in your town. Says they carry Sherwin-Williams auto paint. I have never used their line myself, but quite a few like it.
Shows a BAPS auto paint supply in Worchester that carries PPG. Either store should have the Audi paint chip to look at and give you a price on materials.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
Right on. I will call PPG tomorrow. They are not far from me at all. Maybe 25 min.
Nice that there is a place close by. I hope to call, then go in.
Would make me feel much better talking to a knowledgeable person since I have a bunch of questions.
Side note: the epoxy primer that showed up had its top popped off slightly and there was a minor leak. I called Eastwood right away and they already shipped out another gallon for free! Great customer service. Happy to be doing business with them.
I was able to close the container with a hammer. Question is, is the the epoxy in there still OK to use?
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
Hopefully they can help you out with the paint color you want. Should be no problem at all.
Yeah Eastwood seems to be a good company.
My guess is that the epoxy is ok. I would us the new container on the car and save the open container for other projects, just in case.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
Yeah, I plan to paint my Moser 12 bolt with the opened container. Or maybe the floor boards, stuff that will not be seen, just in case.
Either way, I will be filtering the paint before it goes in the gun and the leak seemed minimal so I think the rest of what is in there is in good shape.
Hope to get the next section of the engine bay painted this weekend. I will call PPG tomorrow.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
Surprisingly I think that is one of the white colors that Eastwood sells.
Either way, I don't like any of the white colors they offer.
I called BAPS like was recommended. They sell PPG paints and can mix anything you want. They even have the OEM color books in the store.
Guys on the phone said, just find exactly what color white you want based on the color code or year/make/model of the car you want to copy and they can get the right paint. He also mentioned that the PPG stuff will adhere just fine to the Eastwood primer surfacer. I just wouldn't want to spray it right on the epoxy primer. No issue there, I was not planning to.
So in conclusion, I will find the Audi that has the correct color white I like. ( I thinks its all of them). But to be sure I will have to find a white Audi at a dealer and park my 2013 Camaro next to it to use as comparison. I did that once at work, next to a maybe 2015 or 16 A3. Made the Arctic white look dirty it was such a bright white on the Audi.
For now, I will concentrate on getting the bare metal areas in epoxy primer. Then revisit this issue. Thanks everyone!
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
so... i'll ask... what kind of air compressor do you have? paint gun? where will you be spraying? i've gotten in to this a bit not a full car yet and i can tell you the worst part will be fixing the mistakes...
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
I will be turning my two car garage into a paint booth-ish area. Draping the entire bay, wall and ceiling with plastic. Then putting a spray booth filter on a fan on one side and an exhaust fan on the other side.
Paint gun is a Husky HVLP that uses 4 CFM @ 40 psi.
Compressor is a small Craftsman horizontal unit that can supply 4.7 CFM @ 40.
It has a small water filter on the exit. I will be using throw away filters just before the gun.
I have seen great paint jobs that guys do outside! Dealing with bugs and pollen and all that. I figure location is much more controlled. Ideal, nope, but not horrible.
For a car I plan to drive like crazy and commute to work in, and not enter into shows, but drive to them in it, I can accomplish a paint job that is suitable (I think).
I plan to paint the car apart. So the biggest strain will be painting the quarters and roof at the same time. All other panels are small-ish. Compressor will be housed in my basement just next to my garage. (Garage is actually under my house, part of my basement). This way I can have it fire up and not push air around the spray space.
I was thinking of getting a much larger compressor, but after seeing that the gun only uses 4 CFM @ 40 psi, I think I am OK. Also the paints that I have seen, at least from Eastwood, instruct to use only 8-10 psi out of a HVLP gun. So that should make the CFM much higher still. Reducing the need for a larger compressor.
All of this is subject to change and I will roll with the punches. For now, I am just getting the engine bay in epoxy primer. Still have not used the gun, but plan to next weekend if not sooner.
Last edited by dennisbernal91z; 10-02-2017 at 02:30 PM.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
Originally Posted by dennisbernal91z
I will be turning my two car garage into a paint booth-ish area. Draping the entire bay, wall and ceiling with plastic. Then putting a spray booth filter on a fan on one side and an exhaust fan on the other side.
Paint gun is a Husky HVLP that uses 4 CFM @ 40 psi.
Compressor is a small Craftsman horizontal unit that can supply 4.7 CFM @ 40.
It has a small water filter on the exit. I will be using throw away filters just before the gun.
I have seen great paint jobs that guys do outside! Dealing with bugs and pollen and all that. I figure location is much more controlled. Ideal, nope, but not horrible.
For a car I plan to drive like crazy and commute to work in, and not enter into shows, but drive to them in it, I can accomplish a paint job that is suitable (I think).
I plan to paint the car apart. So the biggest strain will be painting the quarters and roof at the same time. All other panels are small-ish. Compressor will be housed in my basement just next to my garage. (Garage is actually under my house, part of my basement). This way I can have it fire up and not push air around the spray space.
I was thinking of getting a much larger compressor, but after seeing that the gun only uses 4 CFM @ 40 psi, I think I am OK. Also the paints that I have seen, at least from Eastwood, instruct to use only 8-10 psi out of a HVLP gun. So that should make the CFM much higher still. Reducing the need for a larger compressor.
All of this is subject to change and I will roll with the punches. For now, I am just getting the engine bay in epoxy primer. Still have not used the gun, but plan to next weekend if not sooner.
That's 8-10 psi at the cap. You're gonna need 25-30ish at the bottom of the gun. Also the biggest thing with painting is gonna be volume/tank size I think. I have painted pieces with a small compressor and it came out fine though.
I see you say you're not building a show car, I really hope you considered that when you ditched your defrost. It might not be much of a problem for you but I know I need it.
if you haven't found it already, autobody101 forum has lots of good info
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
Originally Posted by dennisbernal91z
Oh, yeah i did.
I am going full custom hvac. Custom defrost and heat hidden in the dash with no holes in the firewall.
Ah.
As for measuring pressure at the cap I'm sure they sell a gauge but 25-30psi going in the gun gets you there from what I've read. That's where I set mine.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
I had watched that a few times before. I had forgot about the high flow fittings. Good reminder. I will have to check out my system to see if there are bottle necks up stream that would make it not worth investing in bigger fittings. Either way, good to check everything before I think of spraying.
I didn't see him set the pressure 10psi, he set it to 30psi. The paint spec sheet from eastwood says the paint gun pressure should be 8-10psi. I am guessing that is measured at the gauge right before the gun. Correct?
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
Originally Posted by dennisbernal91z
I had watched that a few times before. I had forgot about the high flow fittings. Good reminder. I will have to check out my system to see if there are bottle necks up stream that would make it not worth investing in bigger fittings. Either way, good to check everything before I think of spraying.
I didn't see him set the pressure 10psi, he set it to 30psi. The paint spec sheet from eastwood says the paint gun pressure should be 8-10psi. I am guessing that is measured at the gauge right before the gun. Correct?
You set the gun 25-30 psi at the gauge on bottom of the gun. Setting that pressure at the bottom of the gun produces around 8-10 psi coming out of the cap.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
Is this shown someplace? Apart from your input here, I have not read that anywhere. Granted I have not read the instructions for my Husky gun yet.
From all the YouTube videos I have seen, I have not seen anyone mention that they pressure on the instructions sheet for paint is 20 psi higher under the gun when compared to what comes out.
Not saying you are wrong, just saying I haven't seen this data or info anyplace. If you have, can you link or tell me where?
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
I can tell you with certainty you want 20+ psi going into the gun. You can google and find that out. I work with an older guy who does some painting and he says he goes up to 40psi on some products and his work looks great.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
You set the gun 25-30 psi at the gauge on bottom of the gun. Setting that pressure at the bottom of the gun produces around 8-10 psi coming out of the cap.
I too have been reading/watching/learning in hopes of possibly tackling a full car paint job. Kevin Tetz actually said "It pisses me off" that they put 8-10 psi at the cap on the paint instructions because you can't measure that realistically. he recommended 25 to 30 at the gauge at the bottom of the gun.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
He actually mentions it a few times in the various videos. ...he did say in one that the paint manufacturers **** him off, lol, but it's not this one. Jump to the 2:10 mark, where he's talking about inlet pressure.
Re: How to select a paint... I want a very bright white
In 2004 I painted my 1987 Camaro "bright northstar white". I repainted with a Nason base-clear using color code PW7 from a 1988 Chrysler. I sold the car years ago, but I always loved the color. It was so bright it hurt to look at it in the sun without sunglasses. I saved the paint can because I liked the color so much I always planned to use it again on another car someday. Here is an old picture of it.
09-20-2017, 07:52 AM
