The Technique

Why it Works.         

Amazing, but it works! 

The particular everyday paint used,

when it is thinned with lots of mineral spirits

self-levels. 

See how the paint rolls on

as bumps and dimples?

In a few minutes, it miraculously self-levels and becomes

smooth like glass. 

Method and Technique. 

(1) The paint to use is Rustoleum's Protective Enamel.

Stir the paint very well in the can so everything's uniform. 

(2) The second secret is to thin much MORE than the manufacturer

recommends.

Mix about one part paint with one part 100% mineral

spirits.

It can be thinned anywhere from 20% to 50%

(mineral spirits will evaporate while you're painting).  

It's a smoother finish if the paint is thinner.

but the thicker the paint, the glossier it is.

(3) Clean the surface well with soap and water.

Dry and  wipe clean with  100% mineral spirits.

(4) Wipe away any dust and particles with a tack cloth.

(5) Pour your paint & mineral spirits mix into a tray, and load

the roller with paint.

(The roller can be used over and over again, by

wrapping it with some paint on it in foil, and placed in a zip-locked

plastic  bag, but the best finish is with a fresh roller

every time.)

(6) Roll the paint to cover your entire working section,

( look out for bubbles and runs to fix BEFORE the paint

gets dry and tacky).  It takes about 4 hours to roll the whole

car, unless you are a SUPERROLLER PRO.  You can take your own pace.

(7)  Use a foam brush for any crevices or hard to roll places.

(8)  Recoat.   It will take about 7-10 coats for the whole paint job.  More coats, if you are

painting on the thinner side, less if you are using

a thicker mix. In the first few coats you'll see the original

paint showing since the paint goes on thin.

    Here is the car after the first coat,  and then

after the last coat.                   

(9) Wait at least 7 hours between coats

before re-coating.  

(10) Every 2 coats, wet-sand using

finer  and finer grits (600-800) -- (800-1000) --

(1000-1500). 

(11) Remove the masking tape after you have

finished painting.

You can rid stray paint on any plastic parts by wet-sanding

with 400 grit sandpaper or  by

scraping it off with the edge of a wood stir stick. 

It comes off pretty easily before the paint hardens, as

you can see, the paint is cleaned off from the  

front plastic bumper in the pictures pretty easily.

 (12) Wax and polish as the final touch for a real pro look.    The Honda

has not been waxed or polished in these pictures.

The '88 Honda after putting back the trim and mouldings.  

Looks great!  Doesn't it?

and it still does, over a year later!!!      

I sat it next to the same model Honda in original paint on the street, (see website front page).  You couldn't tell difference!!!  Could you?                             

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