Questions on paint for an MSP?

[eddiejoe56]

Hi All
After getting some wild ass quotes from body shops, I've decided to paint some body parts I've purchased myself. I need to paint a new front bumper cover and also want to paint a new CF hood.

1.) I have a Titanium Gray 2003.5 MSP. What is the mfg's code?

2a.) I need to buy the paint. What type of paint is the Mazda OEM; lacquer, acrylic enamel, or ureathane?

2b.) What type system: Is it 2-layer (basecoat/clear), or 3-layer (base/color/clear)?

3.) I know I need to add flexible agent to the paint for the bumper cover. Should I also for the hood as well since CF is more flexible than steel?

Please help provide some answers, I'm taking next week out of work to get this done. Thanks in advance.

[mspdfreak]

Well, I'll tell what I know. I have a blazing yellow, and it's a 3-step paint. Base yellow, pinkish-pearlescent coat, then clear. I've heard thet tit grey's are a bitch, as well.

[122 Vega]

If you've never sprayed before, then I would not suggest learning with a mica or a metallic. You will get discolorations that won't sand out. The mica can often group together so it looks marbled. BTW you can't spray laquer in most states, and the ones that do allow it require a booth with filters, it can be a big fine ($2500 in Oregon). CF is not more flexable than steel, it is designed to shear in impact therefore dissipating the energy. Metal will warp and bend without shearing (to a point). You would not need a flex additive for the hood. And finally (for now) I would be very careful spraying any modern paints without the proper safety equipment, including full coveralls and respirator with full hood. Most paints have isocyanites which are very deadly, can goes through the skin, and can f-up your sperm. They can also cause neuro issues like impotence. Kids with flippers don't look cute standing next to your car, no metter how shiny it is. I have painted nine completes, and many parts, but I have a booth with the gear to stay safe. You don't want to use a regular house fan when you spray, they are not explosion proof and the statice electricity of the motor windings can quickly ignite and if you have a whole garage of fumes, you will lose your house and likely the neighbors house as well. This happened recently in Tacoma.

If done properly, you will end up spending as much or more (when you count your time) than the body shops quote.

Britt

[joka1]

also if you are going to paint a c/f hood it is a bitch, they come with a stock clear that has to be removed to make the paint set right or you will get bubbles, mine had to be repainted 3 times due to this....... just to let you know
rob

[Brian MP5T]

CF is not that bad, you just have to be ready to sand it down and frime the entire surface to show where the pits and holes are, then fill them with filler and sand and prime again wntil they are gone.


http://www.msprotege.com/members/Brian%20MP5T/HOOD2.jpghttp://www.msprotege.com/members/Brian%20MP5T/HOOD3.jpghttp://www.msprotege.com/members/Brian%20MP5T/HOOD%204.jpg

[Brian MP5T]

http://www.msprotege.com/members/Brian%20MP5T/HOOD%205.jpghttp://www.msprotege.com/members/Brian%20MP5T/HOOD1.jpg

[joka1]

i didnt say it was impossible it just takes sanding the stock clear off...... my painter never painted a c/f hood b4 so he didnt know what to do...

[cvp0917]

Good Luck. It took the professional bodyshop i used 4 times to paint just the front bumper and they still couldnt get the paint to match. they ended up having to blend over the hood and down the fenders. its going to be a bitch thats why they are charging you so much. i know mine just the paint for the bumper was like almost $500 and on top of that they ended up blending it. i didnt check the price difference but they needed to do that.

[CasopoliS]

I was going to suggest what Brian did.... but he beat me to it.

[eddiejoe56]

Thanks everyone. I have sprayed before, but its been over 15 years since High School. I'll see if I can negotiate one shop down some, ask him to sponsor or somethng. But I'd received quotes between $600-900 for the bumper cover. We'll where I end up.

[eddiejoe56]

Well, I thought I'd update this thread.
I ended up painting myself. I did the bumper cover and front lip, but held off on the CF hood for now. The bumper and lip I had purchased on-line at www.worldpartsexpress.com so shipping was a little expensive.

I had to buy the paint. Went to local well known auto-paint supplier and purchased basecoat & clearcoat for the titanium gray (mfg code 25G). Spent about $280 on primer, paint, clear coat, reducer/activator for each, cleanup thinner, sand paper, filters, mixing cups, wipes, disposable coveralls, and a new respirator.

Day one I set up tarps on one side of my garage to create a 'tented' spray booth, sanded and sprayed the primer on bumper and lip. Day two, I wet sanded primer and began spraying color and clear coats. I should have gone with higher temperature reducer for the basecoat, not expecting a heat wave the day I ended up spraying, so I increased the mix ratios. My spray technique needed some improvement and I never got the gun adjustments perfect, so I had to wet sand a few areas of the first two color coats (3 total). Lastly, I sprayed two coats of clear. I think it all turned out acceptable for a novice.

The next morning, I disassembled the old bumper and installed these newly painted items. I may wait another month before I decide to tackle the CF hood.

[MP3Architect]

damn bryan, that idea with the mazdaspeed is the best one ive seen yet. i plan on painting my cf hood on the sides..........like this.........but i think i wanna do that mazdaspeed thing too. where did you get that sticker btw?
http://www.msprotege.com/members/MP3Architect/RDshark1.jpg