Painting fenders?????

[Chris "drooze" Wertman]

Originally Posted by art leong

I'm putting new fenders on my car they came with black paint on them (not flat, but not gloss either).
Just wondering if I can use spray cans? And if so what cans to use.
The fenders are small and will have a lot of decals on them.

The black semigloss is the factory etching primer, scuff it with scotchbrite for adhesion, then, if its smooth and dosent need and "primer filler" or "sandable" primer and you havent broke through to metal.

I would see if you can get a "duplicolor" can in the right color, as far as spray bombs go, it meant to me an auto finish and sands and compounds better, its pretty heavy on the solvent side. But if you spray it light and lots of coats AND lots of dry time between coats, or use a radiant heater about 5 ft away to help "cure" it between coats and you do it without drips you may be able to just use a polishing compound, DONT wax and let it breate as long as you can before you need to decal it. Otherwise wet sand with 2000 grit, then use rubbing compound and water increasing water until almost all compound is buffed clear, do same with polishing compound with a final use of polishing compund dry with no water rub until its all gone, any my bet it you wont be dissapointed.

If you put it on too thick it will skin and the spray bombs lack hardner but make it up with solvent, so the bottom layers of solvent willbe trapped and the paint will be eternally soft, Im sure youve spray painted something too thick with a can and got this, I think we all have, usually seen in the drips.

Its all about adhesion and finish. The spray can "primer" sucks for adhesion, dont use it if you dont have to.