Now that the casting was all ready I got started on the paint/filler process.
I put several layers of automotive masking tape over all the ways and machined surfaces. Once that was done I started with a catilyized expoy primer (automotive grade), 2 coats. Applied with my HVLP gun. As I mentioned before I have a supplied air system so I don't have to breath any hazardous fumes.
I waited about an hour for the epoxy primer to flash then applied 2 coats of 2K high build primer and let it dry over night.
Once the high build primer had dried for a day I sanded it as smooth as possible but the casting is fairly rough so I then applied some body filler. After it had dried it was sanded and more high build primer was applied then sanded again...
I did several rounds of filler, sand, high build primer, sand etc...
It took a few weeks to conplete the filler and primer process...
Finally I had the casting smooth enough for top coat painting. I could have maybe saved time by doing one thick coat of filler to start with and sanding it smooth. However my goal was not to add anymore material than necessary because I think filler is more likely to chip and get oil soaked so I wanted as little as possible for a smooth finish.
For a top coat I used a 2 part cateliyzed urethane single stage paint. I used this same kind of paint on the suspension part of my corvette and it has held up very well over the last few years.
I choose to just do single stage rather than base clear because I think it will be easier to touch up and chips and scrathes. I find an air bush works well for minor touch-ups.
I did 2 coats of the color/top coat:
I'm quite happy with the way the paint turned out and i belive it should hold up well.
More updates to come.
I put several layers of automotive masking tape over all the ways and machined surfaces. Once that was done I started with a catilyized expoy primer (automotive grade), 2 coats. Applied with my HVLP gun. As I mentioned before I have a supplied air system so I don't have to breath any hazardous fumes.
I waited about an hour for the epoxy primer to flash then applied 2 coats of 2K high build primer and let it dry over night.
Once the high build primer had dried for a day I sanded it as smooth as possible but the casting is fairly rough so I then applied some body filler. After it had dried it was sanded and more high build primer was applied then sanded again...
I did several rounds of filler, sand, high build primer, sand etc...
It took a few weeks to conplete the filler and primer process...
Finally I had the casting smooth enough for top coat painting. I could have maybe saved time by doing one thick coat of filler to start with and sanding it smooth. However my goal was not to add anymore material than necessary because I think filler is more likely to chip and get oil soaked so I wanted as little as possible for a smooth finish.
For a top coat I used a 2 part cateliyzed urethane single stage paint. I used this same kind of paint on the suspension part of my corvette and it has held up very well over the last few years.
I choose to just do single stage rather than base clear because I think it will be easier to touch up and chips and scrathes. I find an air bush works well for minor touch-ups.
I did 2 coats of the color/top coat:
I'm quite happy with the way the paint turned out and i belive it should hold up well.
More updates to come.