I'm gonna take an opportunity to brag up "Kirker" finishes. I just laid down part of the color on my DeSoto wagon, exclusively with Kirker paints. I've used them before with great result as well, but I think this is outstanding. I used their base coat additive on the dark garnet color, and their clear. I reduce everything about 20-25%, sprays much better, lays down great. This is all with a cheap, $150 HF HVLP gun. I spend about $500 for 6 quarts of the garnet, 3 quarts of white, 3 quarts of pearl coat, a gallon of clear, all the activator, reducer, and incidentals. I have nothing but good things to say about their products, and I get them all from Autobody Toolmart. Shipping is so fast I get the stuff almost before I can decide what color I want...
Thanks for the info! I had been looking at Kirker paints... still have no idea exactly what color I want though!
Some of you might remember my Deuce pickup, I have always liked primer and on a whim I gave Kirker a try, I used their semi-gloss hot rod black and I loved it, I drove the truck for 7 years and the finish looked as good the day it was sprayed. HRP
It has been years since I shot Kirker, but I thought it shot nice and lasted good as well especially considering the cost. It looks great on your wagon! And, I had to laugh about the stiff hair on your arms. I have always painted in just a t-shirt and likely even shorts so can relate...
I used it on the Willy’s and will use it again on the Prefect. The price of materials was half of others and the two issues I had were my fault not the product. It had been well over 20 years since I had done a total and I didn’t read the directions on the reshoot/flash time of the sealer. All and all I was very pleased.
First rule for paint to look good. “Painting is 90% prep 10% spray technique” Some folks think cheap paint means less prep work. Then blame the cheap paint for looking bad. Ya did good.
Yup. It cost a fraction of PPG or Sherwin Williams. The only drawback is the limited color selection. No factory matching or customized colors, unless you select a candy and use it over different base colors. I would guess I’m at way under a grand for ALL the material for this car, from bare metal, including filler (not much of that), FestherFil, primers, consumables and colors. Plus, I’ve got everything for the roadster, with the exception of the color, left over. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Shot my coupe with Kirker Enduro prime epoxy primer last summer. It sprayed nice and seems to have bonded well. I’ll start sanding and filling this spring. Several things I liked about it was no induction time, if you don’t mix enough and need to mix more you don’t have to sit and wait. Has a short pot life, here in the PNW, it may get into the 70’s during the day but cools off at night not leaving many warm painting days. It was also reasonably priced, but wasn’t the primary factor. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I've used Kirker for about 15 years. I do use House of Color clear as a top coat. My stuff sits outside a lot and I'm not a fan of cheaper clears.