Door Lettering / Clear coat

[andreas_kc]

So, thats my grandpa and his modified race car in the 50s. I have a couple extra truck doors that I'm going to paint white/PPG Royal Maroon and put the D-7 lettering on the door. I was recommended a sign/lettering person in Kansas City that I'm talking to soon and wanted some advice first. He is going to have his own opinion on how to do it, I just want to be informed.

I'm expecting to use the SPI epoxy, primer, white base on the top of the door, PPG maroon on the bottom and SPI flat clear.

Is it better to bury the letters under the clear right on top of the base coat or do the lettering on top of the clear coat? It possible to spray a touch more flat clear on top of the lettering when done? I'm planning on hanging the door up in the shop inside. Can get hot/cold but it will be inside for the remainder of its life.

 

[El Toro]

That's very nice thing to do. You may want to have the sign painter give you a sample on a small piece of metal and spray your clear over make sure don't lift or reaction. Jim C is the one who will know for sure so wait for his reply.

 

[andreas_kc]

Thanks, good idea. Thinking about it some more, also considering putting some Intercoat clear on top of the base prior to the lettering... that way could scuff some right before lettering and clear it when the lettering is done? Want the flat clear to be final, so hopefully that goes over the Intercoat clear with a good flat sheen still.

 

[Barry]

Let him do his lettering over the un-sanded base.
He may not need intercoat clear before he letters but ask him.
Also, the issue with flat clear is you cannot buff, so if you see lines you don't want you will need to wet-sand the clear and re-clear.

 

[Barry]

Also because we don't know the paint he is using let set 24 hours before clearing to be safe.

 

[andreas_kc]

Awesome thanks Barry

 

[andreas_kc]

So, I've painted this door up. Letter is not done yet.. gonna post some photos of progress and then have a decision to make on lettering I will follow up with below....

This is my first paint auto/body project. These are just practice doors to get my feet under me for the real painting of this 51 Chevy Truck I've been working on

After Black Epoxy...

After some Rage Gold Extreme and Sanding

More Paint/Sanding/Filler

Urethane Sealer

Back and outside top in SPI Base White

Nason Royal Maroon Base on outside/bottom

I actually have two spare doors, so I did two! Giving one to a family member...

 

[andreas_kc]

I had been referred to a local pinstripe artist to get the D-7 painted on the door. After talking to him I decided to do it myself. He is a popular person in town thats done a bunch of work but he didn't want to put it under the clear at all.... even with a bit of activator mixed with it. He only uses One Shot Paint (Enamel). While the door is just going to hang up in a shop, I'd like the finish/clear over it just for longevity/protection...

I made a couple paint masks vinyl cutouts and will use it to spray SPI Base White and Black to get the D-7 on the doors. Then will put some flat clear over it.

 

[Jim C]

sorry i missed this thread or i would have posted before. not that it matters, everyone here directed you to the right way. lettering under the clear. only thing i would do here is i would clear the door with prob 4-5 good coats, let it sit a couple days, sand everything smooth with 400 grit so the lettering is nice and flat then i would do the matte clear. if you dont then the lettering is going to be a bit lumpy after you matte clear it.