Possible Project - Repaint Removable Panels (Bumpers etc.)

[justdrive88]

Heys Guys,

Here is the situation: Most of the removable panels on my car are in poor shape. The car has had several owners and I think some of them tried to touch up the bumpers and fenders with canned spray paint and they look like sh*t. I got the car cheap so I didn't really care too much at the time. Also the hood and decklid are sun faded pretty bad. The rest of the body and doors aren't in perfect shape, but they are definitely in decent shape (clear is still good, few minor scratches). Anyways I'm thinking about removing the panels and just spraying them since I figure it would be easier than taping and masking of the rest of the car. I never painted a car before and I'm wondering what you guys think and what steps I should take. I understand the general steps to painting as I worked for a house painter for several years. I know it probably won't be perfect but I want it to look decent (no orange peel etc.) and it won't match the rest of the car perfectly either but its not even close now so it won't take much to make it look better.

Edit - I have an HVLP sprayer. I don't use it, I got it out of a storage unit a while back. It works, its my understanding the it is a decent unit. I would have sold it but my brother uses it for spraying varnish on his boat and other minor tasks.

Edit 2 - I know I could take the panels to Macco or some other body shop and have them done decently cheap, but I'm pretty hands on guy and I like learning new skills and trying new projects.

Cliffs:
Crappy body panels
Want to repaint
Don't know how
Advice please (or direct to advice)

[blaah]

How about getting a test piece of metal to spray, and see how it comes out. I helped a guy prime a work truck that he was painting. I watched him paint a few trucks in the past. I thought it would be easy, WRONG! You have to get a "feel" for the trigger, and how far away, and trying to get an even coat. If there is a local paint supplier, you should ask them for the correct mix of hardener/paint mix, and also clear.
Hope this helps.

[justdrive88]

That is a great idea. I think I will see if I can find a body panel in decent shape from a junkyard or parts puller to preactice on. That way i can get a fell for working a shaped panels.