I learned a lot about brush painting a car today. Somewhat of an arcane process that gives one great respect for the guys who used to brush paint model Ts ahead of the QC supervisor. You use a lot less paint than you would expect. I used two pints of paint. You slop it on thick and smooth it out. Use the large flat side of the brush not the tip, the tip creates bubbles. The difference between a run and not enough paint to flow is a very fine line. You can't go back and add more paint over something in ten minutes, it makes a sticky mess. Let it dry and go back later. I have a few runs to fix and some spots that need some more paint. But that is super easy to fix, I already tried it on the dash where I had a big drop hit it. Sand it with 600 grit and repaint. Once the runs and shit are fixed I am going to wax it and buff it off with one of the wife's old microfibre cloths. I tried it on part of the grill shell and it works really nice. The wax and buff makes it feel really smooth and buffs off more of the dust marks. The brushed finish really appeals to me. It has look of a kids truck from the 50's. Bought it wth Fridays paycheque, sanded Saturday and painted Sunday after church. Ready to go chasing girls the following Friday night.
I'm impressed! I knew the T's were painted with a brush, fun to read about how it was done and seeing someone putting that technique to use.
All cars were brush painted a first. When the assembly line came along they needed a faster way. Spray painting was a compromise to quality in order to crank cars out by the thousands per day. It looks great!
I used marine urethane enamel and 2" brush designed for epoxy. I would suggest a finer brush and a little thinner. It has more brush marks than I would like. I do think it will polish out pretty well. Thanks for the compliments gentleman.
If it’s not good enough for ya you could always start over. You’ve been quite clear that you do love sanding after all. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I have had bad luck mixing products. I wouldn't try it. This tuff flows pretty good with a small amount of mineral spirits, thinner seems to make it not cure correctly and stay soft forever.
I am absolutely love the low down and dirty brush painted body. That is so good. I may decide to rattle can my T vs. brush painting, we'll see, because it's the look that matters, and it has to scream low buck with a hot engine. That came out pretty darn good for you I think.
It look better in pics than it is. The great part is I can paint the bless with a small brush, wet sand it and then go over it again. It's a screwy way around it but I am too hard on stuff, nice paint is going to stress me out. This job I can fix and re-fix indefinitely.
I agree. I thought primer would give me that "fix it" ability on my '53 pickup that still has to be a truck.. It didn't. Then I went to Rust-Oleum flat black and it is worse. I have to repaint a whole panel or piece and it doesn't match. No chance of blending. I plan to brush my roadster.
I found shiny paint easier to match than flat. Flat seems to fade quicker. Shiny I can wax, and waxed this paint looks pretty much like old lacquer
Wow Matt, it has been a while since I checked in on your build. It looks awesome. Very impressive work!
I did the dash and window frames in the pickup in old Duplicolor lacquer when it was sold in rattle cans. So easy to use and touch up. Twenty years and it still looks great.
Put alittle Penetrol in your paint and stir it in really good. Use Purdy Ox hair brushes, stiffer one to apply the paint and a softer one to Tip the paint. Penetrol takes out the brush marks. Apply 4-5 coats and wet sand between coats let dry for awhile and buff the paint out or leave it as it is. I’m a sign painter and this is what I do with my platforms I use and with 1shot paint.
Dang kid. Get off the lawn. I turned 74 last April. Still playing with cars so I must be living right
75 in June blind in one eye, 2nd heart valve replacement in August, went hunting alone last Monday into the mountains here (6,500 feet) and shot a 3 point buck. Gutted, dragged him to the truck, loaded & hauled him home, hung and skinned him. Butchered yesterday. Car related? I had to move hot rod parts to get him in the barn. One tired, achey, and lucky old fart! I'm sure enjoying this build and really like what it has morphed into. You know I started following because of the flathead six but just could not look away, glad I didn't.
Right on @Six Ball ! I miss deer hunting. Not much of that on this island. The build has certainly evolved over time, based mostly on what I find. Or is some case what doesn't fit very well or just plain doesn't work. This little nugget dropped into my lap yesterday. I know it's a 32 but I might use it anyway. It polished up ok.
It looks great we painted a 30 model A 1/2 ton p'up my dad and i got out of a barn .my 3 sisters and i brushed it with chassis black about 30 years ago .my dad sold it and it got over restored and it will never look the same .it had 8" wide home made wheels for the beach .it was cool truck .nice job
Cool find, that will look and work nice. I found a stock one for my roadster that I hope I can make work along with a stock set of pedals. I think one of the pleasures in building these things is the appreciation of locating and handling of each piece.
The Jalopy Journal
