The Painting the Legacy thread.

[Illnastyimpreza]

Heres the story. I Picked up my 98 Legacy in the Summer of last year. After The local tech high school telling me they can paint it for me for almost an entire year, the guy decides he can not do it....which leaves me with a Bunch of Paint supplies and an unpainted, messed up Legacy Wagon.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/11/100_1099-1.jpg

After calling around to other local tech high schools, it seems they will not take on a job of painting an entire car :rolleyes: o well... what now ?

After talking with people about other alternatives, like Maco and whatnot...there was only ONE real solution... Paint it myself ! :)

And it all begins...

With the help of my trusty paint crew...https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/11/100_1088-1.jpg

We scuff the entire car with grey Scothbright pads & waxgrease remover/prep wash.https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/11/100_1098-1.jpg

After inspecting my E-coated hood and fender, I find out that underneath the ENTIRE ecoat is RUST ...EVERYWHERE !https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/11/100_1100-1.jpg I went to Lowes and picked up a DA sander on sale for $30, and after another $60 in sanding discs we're ready to strip !(the fender and hood that is) https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/11/100_1144-1.jpg

so far We've got EVERYTHING stripped off where it needs to be, and all the kosher factory paint scuffed. all the door bump moldings removed, as well as, mirrors, headlights,grill, front bumper, door handles, tail lights, and bottom window trim.

Over the small rust repair areas I have sprayed rust converter just to be safe...which dries to a BLACK coat of primer(which I'm going to sand off anyway) You can see the areas where the rust converter stays WHITE, which is completely rust free. https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/11/100_1152-1.jpg

I only had 2 actual rust HOLES on the entire car, which isn't bad for a beater wagon that is 11+ years old. I sanded them all down, sprayed rust converter, and then started fiberglassing.

Notice my old legacy seat/ kneeling pad :D

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/11/100_1151-1.jpg

I just got back from laying down a second coat of resin on the repairs. I will prolly put down another 5 or 6 minimum before primering. Then bodo to smooth out the body lines.

I also just orderd all the Epoxy primer I need for the hood and fender which is bare metal. I learned that the 2k high build urethane surfacer I had is NOT meant to be applied on bare metal, but is ok to use on bondo and whatnot.....so I will use the surfacer over the bondo before I spray my base. And the Epoxy primer on all the bare metal that doesn't need bondo.

I'm almost ready to paint !.....

[decke48]

wooh. sounds like fun. im planing on painting my car in the spring. so ill have the fun.

whoo... cant wait to see more...

*staying tuned*

[StatGSR]

good luck on the project! i have enjoyed my wagacy exponentially more since i painted myself.

[Illnastyimpreza]

thanks guys, I've got ALMOST everything stripped off the car, and am almost ready to start masking stuff up. It seems every time I do another walk around the car I find MORE shit that needs to be taken off ! :rolleyes:

[d1giPhux]

This looks awesome man! Something I've really wanted to do to my car.. I cant wait to see how it turns out!!

[2.5GT]

Nothing like a DIY...loved it :smt028

[wagonofdoom]

i did hte same thing last week!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/11/3067021125_8c14a39f37-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/12/3082218392_e1eb31bdf4_b-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/11/3067861362_422e26a93b-1.jpg

[Illnastyimpreza]

wow awesome. looks good ! did you just scuff the stock paint? those fenders look good....more work than I want to do to my Daily driver...but looks GOOD !

[wagonofdoom]

yep
used green scotch brite, did some minot fill work, nothing really major, and sprayed it

that picture on the fender/flare is without any other work. just after i sprayed it

[Illnastyimpreza]

Been workin on it ALL DAY...since prolly 9:00 AM. I've got EVERY spot of rust grinded out and primed. My quarter pannel is all fiberglassed, and I am finishing it up with spot pudy. The car is entirely Tarped off and ready to be cleaned one last time before I spray.

I cut the hole for the scoop, measured, outlined, gooped her up and mounted it ! The goop I bought came with a special gun...holly shit is that stuff SOLID when dry. I got a couple drips on my hood, and I could NOT fucking get it off the hood. even with 60 grit on the fucking DA !

I'm back inside taking a Beer beak. I've only got like 1 more coat of spot puddy. Then I can sand her down, and primer up the quarter.

The epoxy primer says surface metal temperature HAS to be an absolute minimum of 70 dregees to spray... I've had the heater BLOWING hard all day, so I'll cross my fingers...it still feels kinda cold to the touch :(

EDIT: Just got back inside its 12:00, and I've been working since 9 this morning. NON STOP.

I snapped some pics.

hoodscoop mounted :) The goop I used takes 4 hours to dry. unfortunatly I didn't use enough on the first try :rolleyes: the car is now sitting waiting for the goop to dry so I can sand and then start painting !

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/12/100_1193-1.jpg

car all taped
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/12/100_1176-1.jpg

quarter pannel almost done...
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/12/100_1175-1.jpg

pass side dent repairs
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/12/100_1179-1.jpg

roof repairs...
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/12/100_1180-1.jpg


Tomoro will be colder...Not sure if I have enough time to warm the garage up and start painting. I leave for Snowboarding in Colorado :cool:

[Illnastyimpreza]

coule coats of Epoxy primer...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/12/100_1204-1.jpg

I just sprayed my hood with epoxy primer, my gun kept getting clogged and inhibiting the flow to the gun... any ideas ?? The paint came out with speckles even after I cleaned it TWICE. What does this mean? I mixed it wrong ?? O well, its primer and is gonna be blocked flat anyway...

Any advice for CLEANING the CRAP out of my gun ?

[Huffer]

Does the epoxy have to be a certain temp to flow/atomise properly?
I know with rattle can paint I get really good results if the room is a nice 70deg and the can is warmed up too.

[wagonofdoom]

thin it out, add more air

i know it says (if a HVLP gun) to use like 30 psi or whatever
go to 50, and thin it out more

i had a 10:1 ratio on my paint, and then added 30% thinner of what was there (did it by weight)
i had hte same problem as you did.

[Illnastyimpreza]

heres the semi final settup for now. I'm getting more than 15 cfm and 103 gallons :)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/01/100_1236-1.jpg

I just found out my borrowed air gun is CLOGGED like a mofo... any ideas ?? I have soaked it in laquor thinner...sprayed it out with brake cleaner...nothing...there is no airflow from the side nipple thingies. It looks like I"m going to have to replace it :(

I also ordered an astro evo 1.4mm gun. If it gets here by friday I'll be all ready to spray ! I need the damn car DONE cuz my inspection runs out this month on the impreza !

[legl02]

Ummm, I hate to say, but if you sprayed epoxy paint thru the gun and didn't clean it out right away, it may be junk now. Try some acetone, or whatever the paint can says for cleanup. Good luck!!

[Illnastyimpreza]

update: due to the recent storm, I have been informed my new Paint gun will not be here till Feb 6th ! :furious:

so ...I decided to head down to the local junkyard for a nice H6 brake upgrade today. The 00 outback I just stripped, JUST had BRAND new calipers and pads installed before they totaled it ! :D I got both brackets with the NEW calipers and pads, and the hardware and copper orings for $70 :)

I also pulled off that cool metal bar thats an option on the back of the tailgate... I always wanted one of those :cool:

gotta love junkyards... it took me longer to FIND the car, and get it pulled out so I could work on it...than it did to rip all the **** off (even in the SNOW/mud/slush puddle :p

I also saw another guy with a modded impreza @ the junkyard... ti2.5rs ?

[Okin DaVanh]

Good find.


Still staying with the same color when you paint it?

[Illnastyimpreza]

Good find.


Still staying with the same color when you paint it?

nah she is going to be BLACK :)

[Illnastyimpreza]

Got my New Astro Evo Paint gun today !! https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/100_1251-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/100_1252-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/100_1254-1.jpg


It shoots like MAGIC ! its fucking sweeeeeeeeeeeeet. :D

did a little bondo and finished primering EVERYTHING on the car... tomoro I SAND the CRAP out of everything and then get to work on my bumpers :rolleyes:

[Illnastyimpreza]

...
here's a cool trick.. scoop up some bondo dust from a fresh sanding and drizzle it over an open flame.... oooooooohhh.... sparkly......

best advice yet :lol:

today I had alot of setbacks. I found out the recommended pressure on my gun is only 16-18psi, I had been running it @ 30...which would explain all the speckles of primer everywhere. I had to 220 DA my entire hood to get rid of specles. While I was at it, i sanded down the lip on the scoop to as smooth as I could. https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/100_1265-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/100_1266-1.jpg

I then started spraying adhesion promoter on the scoop in order to get ready to primer it... well that shit fucking lifted ALL the primer off where I sprayed it. so I lacquer thinner/sanded it all off. and tried again ! ...it fucking STILL lifted even MORE primer that I thought I got rid of...(primer is the EXACT same color as the black plastic of the scoop) Well finally I was able to remove 99% of the primer, and use 2 LIGHT coats of adhesion promoter. I then sprayed my epoxy primer and there she is. It still has 2 TINY little places that spider webbed due to the FUCKING adhesion promotor... that bulldog shit is a super HOT mix, is dries in NO time.

I primed my front bumpers
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/100_1258-1.jpg

filled all the gouges on my rear bumper
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/100_1259-1.jpg

sanded off all that old primer and bondo on my fender...(I have since applied more)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/100_1261-1.jpg

Got the 1/4 panel 98% smooth as glass, and about as straight as a kickstand.https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/100_1262-1.jpg

I also managed to prime my door handles
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/100_1263-1.jpg

tomorrow I sand and touch up all the primer on my hood, this is the LAST time I fucking prime that bitch. Next I will DA smooth all the bumps in my rear bumper, then block with 320. Then prime. If I don't have any epoxy primer left, I'm going to have to use PPG 2k surfacer... o well.

I'm going to try to FINISH blocking flat ALL my dent repairs on the body, and try to get the car ready to shoot on Wednesday.

[Airgne]

looks like your doing a damn good job.

[Okin DaVanh]

If I don't have any epoxy primer left, I'm going to have to use PPG 2k surfacer... o well.


Love that stuff.

[squeethebee]

Nice thread, that thing would look good with some GT skirts too.

ed

[97scoob]

hey, i noticed you hads an outback front fender on the driver's side... i have always wondered is the tan part on it a sticker or paint? thanks.

[Huffer]

hey, i noticed you hads an outback front fender on the driver's side... i have always wondered is the tan part on it a sticker or paint? thanks.

Outbacks have the same fenders as Legacies.

[97scoob]

hey, i noticed you hads an outback front fender on the driver's side... i have always wondered is the tan part on it a sticker or paint? thanks.

Outbacks have the same fenders as Legacies.
i know it is the same fender, but it is 2 tone instead of just one solid color... (in this case it is white and that tan stripeish thing that follows the line of the bottom of the fender)
i wanted to know if the tan part was paint also, or if the whole fender was painted white, and then a tan vinyl or sticker was put on top of it...?

[Huffer]

Your eyes need checking... The entire car is primered. What you are seeing is bondo and primer, plus a boatload of sanding (and some bad lighting).
But I can see if you were looking quickly you could mistake it for an OB fender.

[Illnastyimpreza]

Nice thread, that thing would look good with some GT skirts too.

ed

Just picked some up yesteday :) Now I need the rear bumper underlip... they are HARD to find !


hey, i noticed you hads an outback front fender on the driver's side... i have always wondered is the tan part on it a sticker or paint? thanks.

Its a sticker ! I used 3m adhesive remover and removed the entire sticker. But it still leaves a lip. you must sand it smooth


Your eyes need checking... The entire car is primered. What you are seeing is bondo and primer, plus a boatload of sanding (and some bad lighting).
But I can see if you were looking quickly you could mistake it for an OB fender.

actually it IS an outback fender ! :p

[Huffer]

:lol: but outback = legacy for fenders. :P

[97scoob]

:lol: but outback = legacy for fenders. :P :roll: i know this... but the paint is different...
you are confusing me... :smt017

[impreza_GC8]

Very inspiring. My car is five different colors and depending on how yours comes out I might follow in your footsteps. I'd like to know the total cost when you are done.

[squeethebee]

Just picked some up yesteday :) Now I need the rear bumper underlip... they are HARD to find !



Oh, I know. I was the one with decke48 who dropped them off to you! :lol:

There is a GT wagon in a junkyard by me if you can't find one yourself. I can find out how much for the lip if you want.

ed

[Illnastyimpreza]

Just picked some up yesteday :) Now I need the rear bumper underlip... they are HARD to find !



Oh, I know. I was the one with decke48 who dropped them off to you! :lol:

There is a GT wagon in a junkyard by me if you can't find one yourself. I can find out how much for the lip if you want.

ed

whats up man :)

yeah that would be awesome !

[squeethebee]

:smt030 Oops, didn't see this until today. I'll give them a call tomorrow for you.

ed

[Illnastyimpreza]

any luck ?

[slow95suby]

any updates on the car?

[decke48]

any luck ?
sorry lewis. eds been if florida for the past two weeks. and now hes heading to Airzona for a week or two.. if i get a free chance ill go looking for one

[Illnastyimpreza]

cool beans thanks...

update:

I have EVERYTHING fiberglassed, bondod, primed, sanded & ready for paint...

I gotta clean the CRAP out of my garage...and make sure I have NO dust and shit all over the place. I am probably going to install my new H6 rear brake upgrade so I can pull the car out and clean up the area under the car and whatnot. There is dried paint EVERYWHERE just WAITING to fuck up my new paintjobwaiting. I'm also gonna hook up the garden hose and spray down EVERYTHING in the garage before I paint.

I'm waiting for another warmer day... we just got 15 inches of snow :rolleyes: come on damnit !

its going to be springtime before I actually get this DONE, and get to take my summer car off the road :lol:

[Illnastyimpreza]

Hood soop is ALL molded into the hood, epoxy primer re-sprayed for the 3rd time.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/2160462650098790595FTlqdg_fs-1.jpg

hoodscoop before it got sprayed with surfacer.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/2264936710098790595YpcJkr_fs-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/2383172600098790595GYnZIa_fs-1.jpg

Front and rear bumpers all primered and ready to be sprayed. Yes that is BLACK epoxy primer :)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/2345914600098790595FuZexP_fs-1.jpg

Rear bumper sprayed and is DONE !
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/2201051070098790595xTqxDQ_fs-1.jpg



Fender repairs... bondoed, primered, sanded, then ALL stripped and reapplied like 3 times.... man this dent repair thing is HARD
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/2359800200098790595ejbLgX_fs-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/2378004320098790595rqTFjy_fs-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/2302081810098790595zPHdUA_fs-1.jpg

INSIDE of the rear quarter pannel.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/2589582730098790595yGmoyW_fs-1.jpg
Beginning of fiberglass repair
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/2591950790098790595JYhRqV_fs-1.jpg
Bondoed and sanded back down like 4 times... still have to feather it out and primer.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/2482588350098790595YhGReo_fs-1.jpg
Hood ready for a final spray !
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/2641403380098790595BcJtyl_fs-1.jpg

Now its just a matter of time and motivation on my end.

My Army budy swung down yesterday and helped me swap out the rear brakes, So the shaggin wagon now has the H6 rear brake upgrade :)

[T_F_E]

Keep up the good work :smt023

[Illnastyimpreza]

Front bumper: done
Rear bumper: done
Roof: Done

I just discovered a new dent that I must have put in the car right under the rear pas. window in the back. I'm not sure if the trim will cover it, so I had to strip it. I'm now currently waiting for the bondo to dry so I can high build 2k the bitch. I'll give her over night to dry. Then I'll sand it down tomoro. Hopefully the paint will be DONE tomoro ! :)

[Airgne]

what did you use to blend the scoop to the hood. i tried and the fiberglass just cracks.

[Illnastyimpreza]

what did you use to blend the scoop to the hood. i tried and the fiberglass just cracks.

You need to use a Special bonding agent. I used this 2 part goop that you buy with the gun. Its made for bonding plastic to metal. I believe its made by MSC. It is seriously the most durable bonding junk I have ever dealt with. The hood will literally tear apart before the hoodscoop would come off. Its so strong that It barely sands flat with 80 grit on the DA. Its flexible As hell, and probably way stronger than fiberglass resin.

[Illnastyimpreza]

car is DONE. I've got a few more runs than I wish I did... But you live and you learn. The car looks SHINY, and is all one color now :) and thats what I was going for. Next time I will definitely make sure I have WAY more shop lighting. you really need that car lit up like a christmass tree from ALL angles when you're painting. Its tough to see runs and dry spots when you don't have enough light !

I was out in the garage in my underwear just so I could snap a couple pics... the neighbor was laughing @ me :lol:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/07/100_1311-1.jpg

I'll take some better pics when I get her all back together hopefully tomorrow.

[d1giPhux]

How much color sanding did you do.. and up to what grit? I think one the paint dries.. you could buff it out and i bet it will look awesome. Cant wait to see some better pics!

[Illnastyimpreza]

the paint is a single stage black polyurethane. Basicly its a super durable clear cloat with a tint. Its a SUPER nice paint... just REALLY hard to spray !

I have always worked with base coat / clear coat systems in the past. They are much more forgiving and easier to spray.

In the future I will not mess around with another single stage paint untill I have basicly perfected the art of spraying an entire car. Anyone can paint parts, but once you throw an ENTIRE car into the mix, it becomes SOO much more difficult as there are WAY more variables that can go wrong. IE roof vs doors.... doors will RUN like crazzy as the roof will NOT...fucking gravity :rolleyes:

[Huffer]

So it would have turned out better to take the doors off and lay them flat?

[Illnastyimpreza]

yeah If I had to do it over, I would have painted the entire car in sections. This allows more focus on individual parts. Also, if you only have a small air compressor, you can paint each part separately and be all set !


I'm trying to finish puting the car back together because I'm selling it. I need a truck ! :)

[klix]

looks good so far, about to do mine in sections :smt028 and 97scoob...from memory I believe it is actually a sticker.