Can I learn to paint?

[HotrodHR]

I am interested if the average guy off the street (me) could learn the skill of painting as in Automotive type paint. I have several restore projects for an old safe, some old porch rockers and don't think I can get good results using rattle cans. I have some basic experience having worked in a body shop many moons ago, but none with actually painting.

I have all the air I can eat, but don't even know where to begin with hardware, paint, etc. I'd likely never paint anything larger than a gas pump. so I don't need to get exotic.

If its too hard a hill to climb for the layman, that's all I need to know.

chaz

I'm an avid hobbyist and I concur with retired body men here on the site...

Single stage and basecoat clearcoat "systems" both have their pros and cons. If you shoot a single stage metallic you will most likely be dissappointed... solid colors are more forgiving and you can colorsand and buff. BC/CC allows you to lay down the metallic "flakes" and once cleared you can cut and buff.

I suggest you check out videos and give it a try... painting the smaller items that you have is perfect for practice and you'll be happy with the $$$ you'll save.

Check out DVD's such as Paintucation by Kevin Tetz... I met Kevin way before his TV fame when he was selling VHS tapes at car shows, he maintains a website and blog and joins in answering questions. Look for used CD's on eBay etc to save some money. His basic paint your car CD is a good place to start... covers the basics in an understandable way that's great for the new guy. Safety is important and he covers that as well.

I own Sata and Iwata guns, but I have had success with DeVilbiss StartingLine line of guns... Eastwood (and other sites) sell two and three gun kits to get you started $129 bucks at Eastwood gets you a decent two gun set.


Good luck and have fun!

 

[lilscorpion]

Like anything, practice, practice, practice. Spend some time researching technique and experiences and then give it a shot. ,previous recommendations to start on something small so you can do over if need be is a great idea. I actually painted small stuff with an airbrush early on before throwing material at bigger projects. Not sure if it helped but I felt more comfortable after doing so. I like being able to shoot color if I want to.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I do some single stage metallics and have no troubles making it look just fine. I got a "striped" look in the flakes the first couple of times, but then we pulled a badly finished part off a machine (factory had striped it up also and customer was not happy) and took it up the street to a pro shop to get redone. He taught me to spray single stage metallics in passes of 3 different directions (rather than just the usual 2) to even out the flakes. Everything has come out smooth looking ever since.

I also get the work done fine with a set of the DeVilbiss Starting Line guns, but I'm only doing about 1 days paint work out of every month.

 

[creativecars]

Chaz,
Where are you located, someone on here may be close enough to help you out. I would.

 

[Chaznsc]

South Carolina. Near Augusta, Georgia. Yes, home of that damned golf tournament, don't bring it up, I will have to punch you in the face.

 

[Glenn M.]

South Carolina. Near Augusta, Georgia. Yes, home of that damned golf tournament, don't bring it up, I will have to punch you in the face.

Dang. Near Aiken? I was stationed at the Aiken Air Base way back in the day... Had more fun down there than a lot of places I've been since...

Please don't punch me in the face!!

I think you can learn to paint anytime you want. Just takes a little patience, practice, and some helpful hints. I agree with the posters that have mentioned picking brains of sales/technical people at good quality paint stores. Can't begin to tell you how helpful some of them have been to me up here in VA.