[JJH Jimmy]

Originally Posted by FAKKY

So ...... a little further down this road - but still some weeks/months off .....
Trying to finish off seats and panel alignment and probably door latches /seals and get her licenced.

I was initially going to go with SPI and do the full deal.
Strip down to bare metal
2 coats mastercoat rust sealer/convertor
2 coats epoxy primer
2 coats high build primer
2-3 coats base coat
2-3 coats clear

but that was looking like around $1500 or more using SPI.
Given Im a first time painter and using a HVLP turbine gun ...... Im basically thinking good chance I mess it up and waste $1500

So thinking .....

Scuff all the paint fairly aggressively (320 ?) and cut back problem areas to bare metal.
2-3 coats of epoxy prime (cheaper version) like here.

https://www.amazon.com/Speedokote-Pr...s%2C197&sr=8-7

So probably 2 full kits for 2.5 gallons.

Then basically block sand that for high spots .......
Spec Sheet says

"The SMR-260 is a fast dry, easy sanding 2K epoxy primer with great color and gloss holdout. .... After three days, the primer MUST be sanded prior to topcoat application"


Then no high build primer .... just do 2-3 coats of SS urethene after sanded/scuffed.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...EF8EYMML&psc=1


That would around $450 in paint versus $1500.
It would allow me to practice with the turbine and see if I can lay down a good job without too much orangepeel and runs.

After that - assuming the paint last 5 years ..... and I still have the truck ...... I can decide on a true paint job with or without the turbine.

thoughts ?

If That is the way you are going to go i would still use the SPI epoxy over the amazon stuff.
The amazon stuff is mixed 4:1 SPI epoxy is mixed 1:1. So for the $110.00 Amazon epoxy you get 1.25 sprayable gallons and for $208.00 you get 2 full sprayable gallons of SPI epoxy. For $20.00 a gallon cost savings does not justify using an inferior product in my opinion.

One other thing. I would stay as far away from the mastercoat stuff as possible. It may be OK on a blasted frame or suspension parts? But It has no use on autobody sheetmetal.