I need to paint my cycle wings and my rear wings (once i have widened them...)

the question is am i better off getting a local body shop to spray them or should i try and do it myself?

i have a cheapo compressor and a cheap spray gun - and a cheap gravity fed one too... but very little experience of spraying...

everything i have read has implied that the cost of buying the materials would be about the same as getting it done professionally! (as it is a fairly small area that needs doing)

Also... Anyone know the best place to get the paint in Ipswich??

cheers

If the cost is similar it's down to whether you can be bothered or want to be able to say "I sprayed it myself"

Good results can be achieved with a spray gun in a garage using cellulose but as ever preparation is the key to getting a good result.

Cheers

mark

use cans, you should see the finish of my motor bike, increadable finish (super deep and glass smooth) and I only used cans from Halfords.

Time is also a consideration.... only a few weeks til SVA and a LOT still to do on the car!!!

I have heard mention of the cans from specialist suppliers being much better than the Halfrauds jobbies ??

As per Mr Whippy - why not use spray cans?? Jet black does tend to show up imperfections more than other colours but there is no reason why you cant get a really decent finish with spray cans followed by patience with the 1200 / 1500 wet n dry paper and final finishing. Doing my dad's bike like this and i have a good quality spray gun and compressor also. My IR patio heater was useful here for helping gently warm the panels and cure the paint, as well as its powder coating duties

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Originally posted by DaveFJ
Time is also a consideration.... only a few weeks til SVA and a LOT still to do on the car!!!

I have heard mention of the cans from specialist suppliers being much better than the Halfrauds jobbies ??

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I have thougth about waiting til after SVA but I think first impressions make a difference and would prefer to go along with a car that doesn't look half finished..... - after i have bodged some GRP work extending the rear arches it will NEED a spray to hide my sins!

Have you thought of vinyl? Available for cheap on EBay. No, I haven't tried it yet, but I've ordered some.

I have had proper paint in a can from these guys http://www.auto-paint.co.uk/SHOP/startup.html

seemed ok

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Originally posted by DaveFJ

I have heard mention of the cans from specialist suppliers being much better than the Halfrauds jobbies ??

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What about powder coating? I had mine done, cost me 50 quid for the side panels, and rear panel.

I fitted them to the car drilled holes etc then took them off and had them coated. Looks pretty good, haven't scratched or chipped yet even with my terrible driving and blatant disregard when getting in/out of the car.

quote:

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Originally posted by DaveFJ

Also... Anyone know the best place to get the paint in Ipswich??

cheers

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Originally posted by irvined
What about powder coating? I had mine done, cost me 50 quid for the side panels, and rear panel.

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Yes, best not powder coat them then

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Originally posted by Schrodinger

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Originally posted by DaveFJ

Also... Anyone know the best place to get the paint in Ipswich??

cheers

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I would do them myself.
There is a paint supplier in Ipswich
Bee Bee Supplies
14 Boss Hall Business Park,
Sproughton Road
Ipswich, Suffolk
IP1 5BN

Tel: 01473 241510


www.iris-web.co.uk

BTW they make up aerosol cans as well as supplying paint etc.

[Edited on 16/4/08 by Schrodinger]

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I was in the same situation as you, Dave, when it came to painting my Avon. I used the cheap compressor and spray gun from Aldi and cellulose paint to do mine.
I wanted to 'have a go' at spraying as in my opinion it's all part of the challenge of the build (and as you know, if you can overcome the challenge of building an Avon then spraying it should be a doddle!! )
I, like you, have extended the rear wings and have now painted them, along with the front cycle wings in black.
Do bear in mind, however, that my bodywork was particularly ill fitting and took a lot of 'fettling' and 'glassing/filling etc. to put it right and being originally in BRG was going to need painting no matter what.
So, although the results of my spraying aren't perfect, it looks a damn sight better than before.
There are plenty of pics in my archive of what it originally looked like and how it looks now.
Have a go yourself with the compressor etc. The paint isn't that expensive and if you're not happy with the results you can always get it done professionly after.