For many of us, paint is the scary thing that we need to outsource to the professionals. It's because we fear the procedure or the experience involved. Either way, we've found the solution. Summit Racing has made a move that will allow the do-it-yourselfers to churn out a professional-looking paintjob for only a couple hundred dollars.
With the help of high-quality manufactures, Summit has branded its own line of paint products. Their substantial name in the aftermarket has given them the ability to supply customers with a simple-to-use acrylic urethane paint system they can apply in a home garage; the best news is that Summit has made the process painfully simple for those of us whose profession isn't in refinishing.
Besides the Summit paint products, the only other things you'll need to get the job done are a 60-gallon or higher air compressor, a spay gun, masking supplies, and sanding materials, many of which are also available though Summit.
The first step is to thoroughly clean the painted surfaces so you know what you have to work with. If you're looking for just a color change, you won't need to remove the existing paint; just sand it with 400 grit to give the primer/sealer some adhesion. If the paint you wish to replace is cracked or damaged, it's a good idea to remove it by media blasting or chemical strippers. Once the surface is free of paint, Summit's wax and grease remover will remove any other remaining contaminants. With the body totally free of contaminants, you can do the necessary bodywork, then clean the surface with Summit's mild surface wash. Now you're ready for primer.
Summit's activator comes in three different versions to allow painting in different atmospheric conditions. This is the key to allowing the DIY enthusiast to paint at home without a temperature-controlled booth.
Over bare metal, Summit's epoxy primer will guarantee adhesion. The high-build primer can be sprayed over it for block sanding, since its primary purpose is to build, and give you material to work with. When the primer is sanded flat, it's time for paint.
All of Summit's paint products mix in the same ratio of 4:1, so there is no confusion. Summit's acrylic urethane topcoat is a single-stage paint, meaning the clearcoat is optional. The exceptions are with specific colors, where the metallic content is too coarse to leave without a clearcoat. Summit has found that one gallon of this topcoat will paint the average-sized car, but suggests getting an extra gallon if you are painting interior panels.
If you've got your heart set on the ultra deep look of a clearcoated car, you have two choices in product. They have a medium- and high-solids clear. The high-solids version is simply the top-shelf version with the deepest, longest-lasting gloss.
The wet sanding and polishing process is very similar to other paints, but can be done after only a couple of days. The system is made to be sprayed without a climate-controlled paint booth by using temperature-specific activators. This makes it possible to have a show-quality paintjob, without a professional paint booth, or high-dollar supplies.
SUMMIT PAINT SYSTEM PRICING Wax and grease remover (quart) $9.95 Surface wash (quart) $9.95 Fish-eye eliminator (pint) $9.95 Epoxy primer (gallon) $49.95 Epoxy catalyst (quart) $16.95 2K primer surfacer (gallon) $39.95 Single-stage urethane topcoat (gallon) $79.95 Urethane specialty metallic topcoat (gallon)* $89.95 Universal urethane activator (quart) $19.95 Universal urethane reducer (quart) $9.95 Medium-solids urethane clearcoat (gallon) $49.95 High-solids urethane clearcoat (gallon) $59.95*Includes Candy Apple Red, Ultra Blue Pearl, Dark Plum Metallic, Viper Red, Mocha Frost Pearl, Mayan Gold Metallic, Bright Orange Metallic.
TYPICAL PAINTJOB COST Wax and grease remover (quart) $9.95 Surface wash (quart) $9.95 Epoxy primer (gallon) $49.95 Epoxy catalyst (quart) $16.95 2K primer/surfacer (gallon) $39.95 Universal urethane activator (3 quarts) $59.85 Single-stage urethane top coat (gallon) $79.95 Universal urethane reducer (quart) $9.95 Medium-solids urethane clearcoat (gallon) $49.95 Total $326The Products
Prep Solvents
Wax and grease remover: Strong blend of solvents to remove bugs, road grime, oil, and other residue from the body during and after body preparation
Surface wash: Mild wash for the last wipe down before primer or paint is applied. This removes any remaining dust and debris.
Fish-eye eliminator: To allow the paint to flow and adhere evenly over imperfections and avoid the fish-eye effect.
Primers
Epoxy primer: Specially formulated for superior adhesion to bare metal. It's mixed 4:1 with the epoxy catalyst.
Urethane 2K primer: High-build primer to conceal low spots in a fast-drying formula. Will stick to sealers, primers, OE finishes, and body filler. This should be mixed 4:1 with the urethane activator.
Paint
Single-stage urethane topcoat paint: Premium formula makes this paint highly resistant to damage from UV exposure, chemicals, weather, and chips. Will hold its color and gloss longer than acrylic and synthetic enamels. Does not require a clearcoat for glossy finish. Available in 20 colors; clear is optional for enhanced gloss.
Universal activators: Mix in a 4:1 ratio with Summit's urethane products. Three different activators are offered to compensate for the painting conditions; fast activator for below 70 F, medium for between 70 F and 80 F, and a slow for 80 F and above.
Urethane reducers: To allow flow and leveling of paint, comes in fast, medium, slow, and special Zero-VOC to comply with strict environmental regulations (read: California). With topcoat, mix up to 10 percent; for high-solids clears, mix 4:1:1.
Clear
Medium-solids urethane clear: User-friendly operation, standard, but not economy, version
High-solids urethane clear: Higher-build, deeper-gloss version of the medium-solid clear
