If you have any interest in auto paint at all, you'll have heard of the latest waterborne paints. You'll probably also think that the main reason for the switch from solvent-based paint is for environmental reasons, and for paintshops to comply with the latest regulations. But there are genuine advantages of waterborne over solvent-based paint.
With the PPG system, which is what Hot Rods By Dean used to paint the Galaxie seen here, approximately 25 percent less sprayable base and 70-90 percent less reducer is used, offering a potential materials saving of 25-30 percent, not to mention there's up to 75 percent less hazardous waste than a typical solvent basecoat job. It's easier to achieve invisible blends when doing repairs as its metallic orientation is a vast improvement. There's also no need for a mechanical mixing machine, as the interior latex shell holds the pigment in suspension and doesn't allow settling or separation. It's as easy as shaking and pouring into the gun.
Of course with fewer odors the improved air quality that results from not using solvent, and the reduced materials and waste, is a huge environmental improvement, which may not be an issue in most areas currently, but in states such as California it's a requirement. In fact, solvent-based paint can't even be legally shipped to California any longer. PPG first introduced waterborne paint for OEM assembly plants back in the late '80s, and in European refinishing shops since the early '90s, so they've been at it a while now.
We'll be bringing you the full build on this Galaxie built by Hot Rods By Dean, but let's jump toward the end of the build and follow the steps required to lay down a professional paintjob. One of the main points to note is that all the products, from body filler and primer, through base- and clearcoat, and all reducers and activators, were sourced from a single manufacturer, in this case PPG. This eliminates any possible problems or reactions between products from different manufacturers, as they're not always compatible.
We've also got a few tips to make life easier, and safer, if you're contemplating tackling a paintjob at home. Yes, it can be done, if you're prepared for a messy, arduous, labor-intensive task. There's a reason having a car painted professionally isn't a cheap proposition!
1 Here's our subject as purchased, albeit with new suspension, brakes, and wheels already installed—a clean Galaxie sourced on the Internet in Phoenix.
2 With the necessary bodywork completed by Sean Rosic using PPG body filler DF700, and the whole car flatted with 180-grit, PPG's new VP2100 polyester primer was mixed at a 2:1 ratio with the activator.
3 Note how the mixing stick is clamped to the pot, preventing it from falling over or sliding around while the primer and activator is mixed.
4 Protected by a spray suit and respirator, Hot Rods By Dean's resident painter Frank Gracia, applies the primer.
5 Once the whole car was stick-blocked with 180-grit paper, Gracia applied five more coats of K38 high build primer surfacer and let it cure for 10 days.
6 Sean and Vic Hebert stick-blocked the entire car with 400-grit wet until it was finally ready to go in the paint booth. After masking, Gracia is wiping the car down with DX320 cleaner and SWX350 here.
7 Once the car was wiped over with a tack rag, Deltron NCS2004 gray sealer was mixed with catalyst and applied.
8 Finally it's color time. PPG Envirobase was used, reduced with T494 thinner.
9 Gracia applied three color coats and one control coat of the Envirobase Gingerale Ford color (PPG PN 930036)
10 Here's what basecoat looks like before the clearcoat goes on. This isn't the same as the latest popular matte finishes and has no durability or resistance to marking.
11 PPG D894 high solids clear was used with D884 hardener and D871 reducer.
12 Gracia applied seven coats of clearcoat to the Galaxie.
13 Partway through unmasking, the shine on the big Ford looks great straight from the gun, though it will be color sanded and polished.
14 The hood and trunk were painted separately, in order to obtain full coverage in the 'jambs.
15 Hot Rod By Dean uses this paint shaker to thoroughly mix all paint before use.
Painting at Home
16 If you're painting at home there are a number of tips you can employ—like using clothes racks on wheels for hanging parts while painting. This particular example cost something like $15.
17 If you're completely repainting a car, the paint will likely come in 2- or 3-gallon cans. These may not be all from the same batch from the manufacturer, so buy a large bucket (with a lid) and mix 'em all together to avoid varying shades as you apply successive coats.
18 A paint gun stand is more useful than you can imagine, though a vise can be used at a push. This professional example holds three guns and has a rotating ring to hold a strainer.
19 This basic single gun stand came from Harbor Freight, and has a removable strainer ring. It should be bolted to the bench but we clamp it in place whenever we need it, as we don't paint regularly.
20 Eastwood offers a great pre-painting prep in an aerosol. After wiping the job over using this, a tack rag (also from Eastwood but available at auto paint stores) removes any particles or lint for a fault-free finish.
21 Regular readers may remember Ron Ceridono's semi-permanent paint booth he constructed, something that will definitely help keep down debris in your paint, not to mention protect the contents of your garage from overspray. For more on this, go HERE.
22 Though we suspect many will leave the garage door cracked and maybe use a small domestic fan or two, Ceridono made an extractor fan for his booth, but wisely moving the electric motor outside the box to keep it away from flammable paint fumes.
