First painting attempt and thanks to the SPI Forum Members

[Rick Shatswell]

Got it outside today for a better inspection and some sunshine.
Found one extra little run on the front edge by the headlight of the passenger fender. No big deal, it will definitely sand out.
attached some pictures of the defects. I can’t get the spots on the roof to focus and get a good picture. Those spots don’t look as bad as you would expect given I essentially poured A steam of clear down the roof and followed with a couple of drips for good measure

The mystery dirt smudge us understood now. I have this work platform I was standing on to paint the roof. The smudge aligns perfectly where my foot would have been. My shoe must have touched the quarter panel during one of the four rounds of clear. Be nice if it was the last coat and not the first, guess we will find out.

the paint booth is a one I got from Amazon. I think the brand was Flapkwan. Other than the fan, it seems pretty good. Did what I needed it to do

thanks for the positive feedback guys. I knew this was a large project and a tun of work, but dang ….this first one has been pretty stressful. even pretty happy with all the body work.

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28X15X10FT Inflatable Spray Paint Booth Tent with Upgrade High-Power Blowers 950W+950W, Professional Car Workstation Portable Auto Paint Booth for Cars, Car Parts Painting​

Visit the FLAPKWAN Store

 

[Rick Shatswell]

Here’s a couple of pictures of what I started with

Took 3 of us all day to dig it out and winched up on the trailer. All four brakes were rusted solid.

 

[Chad.S]

For a first attempt, I would have to say you killed it!!

 

[20mercury]

"28X15X10FT Inflatable Spray Paint Booth Tent with Upgrade High-Power Blowers 950W+950W, Professional Car Workstation Portable Auto Paint Booth for Cars, Car Parts Painting"​

Thanks for the link, I thought these things were way more expensive than this. $1260 is a lot of money but for what you pay in materials and fighting hassles of home made booths maybe I could rationalize this and maybe sell it when you are done.

Agree with above, Super Job! The before and after photos are unbelievable. Congratulations!

 

[Lizer]

Looks really good. And you are right, the first time you paint a car is EXTREMELY stressful. I still have vivid memories of my first time solo almost 10 years ago now. It was horrible and I almost gave up, even after I had formal training. Barry got me through it.

Today and many projects later, I don’t even think twice about it and feel very comfortable in my own skin. Experience is the best teacher and unfortunately you just have to have that first experience.

 

[Rick Shatswell]

Thanks guys. Starting to gather materials for the cut and buff portions now. I‘m traveling around the US visiting grandkids July and Aug , so may be September before I start on the next step. I understand from researching on this forum that shouldn’t be a problem with the universal clear. I’ve had people tell me it (other clears) will be hard as concrete if I wait that long…. Hope you gents are right

I can’t complain with the paint booth. If nothing else it helped keep the rest of the shop cleaner

 

[MJM]

If this is Rick Shatswell that once resided in Illinois, he's a very talented man. He can turn a wrench with the best of them, and now he's mastering the body and paint aspect.

Job well done!

 

[Rick Shatswell]

Funny , not a lot of Shatswell’s still around that I know of…..but, I’ve never lived in Illinois

Grew up in KC and still a big Chiefs fan, but been in Texas about 40 years now..

 

[AAE]

Funny , not a lot of Shatswell’s still around that I know of…..but, I’ve never lived in Illinois

Count your blessings.

 

[MJM]

Funny , not a lot of Shatswell’s still around that I know of…..but, I’ve never lived in Illinois

Grew up in KC and still a big Chiefs fan, but been in Texas about 40 years now..

Now I know, sorry for my confusion. What threw me off beside your name was the GTX in your avatar picture (Rick has one same color) and you doing another mopar.

Rick in Illinois is a die hard mopar man.

 

[DanMcG]

deleted. I was kind of taking the thread sideways. Carry on.

 

[Rick Shatswell]

Even though I finished my first paint job, I still read this forum daily in prep for the next project. I saw Dons post this morning on the corvette he painted and Dallas Autoramma. I was parked near that corvette, it looks even better in person. Thought I would share an update on the duster. I finally finished the assembly last summer and was able to hit a few shows before autoramma. Did very well at local weekly shows with 4 first place trophy’s, and took best A body in the Mopar mini nationals in September.
At autoramma we end up in a conservative hardtop class. It’s though because so many cars end up in that classs , but they end up cutting the class up a bit because they have so many. Usually by make and sometimes even years. I was there when they judged the duster and talked to the judge quite a while. Nearly everything they gigged me on was paint related, but they were spot on ….i already knew everything they pointed out . I have some dry areas in some spots and still some slight orange peel. I think I could sand it out , I’m just not brave enough to do it. I also needed to do a better job of smoothing the seam sealer in the rain gutters before paint. It looks great outside , but those lights at Dallas market hall highlight every flaw. Long story short …. The duster ended up taking second in its class. My 1971 Roadrunner ended up beating it out so not all bad except I had the duster register for my wife…..
My roadrunner had been done about 10 years now but still shows well. I’m having some paint issue on that one I need to ask advise on but I’ll start a fresh thread for that.

Overall, really happy with the duster and a first effort paint / body work job. Couldn’t have accomplished it without this forum. Just purchased an abandoned 1970 Chevelle project. I’m pretty confident I can do better on the Chevelle

Many thanks again to all you guys on this forum!

 

[dhutton01]

Congratulations. Beautiful car and quite an achievement for a first time painter!

Don

 

[RayH]

Really nice work! I purchased that same booth to paint my mustang and have since used it to help paint 3 other cars. Easy up but PIA to take down and roll up.

 

[Big Dave]

You’re a natural! Looks fantastic!

 

[ct71rr]

Really nice work! I purchased that same booth to paint my mustang and have since used it to help paint 3 other cars. Easy up but PIA to take down and roll up.

I have a lot of practice taking down the kids inflatable bouncy house about a thousand times. It was a lot of fun folding it up and stuffing it in its storage bag!

 

[Kawickrice]

Great looking Mopars, I had a 71 Demon 340/4 speed. Unfortunately I hit my neighbors parked car head on and both went to the salvage yard. That's one car I wish I still had.

70 Chevelle next? I'm working on my 71 and look forward to the thread.