How do I prep metal?

[LeeAnn]

Is just priming metal good enough? Do I sand it first, before any ab can be done? I am just learning ab, and decided to mess around on an old Harley gas tank. Please tell me how to prep.

Also, I have frisket, and it doesnt like to stick to primed metal. Is it the wrong kind? Or do I need to prep it more?

Thanks so much!!
LeeAnn

[heartless]

hi LeeAnn - you are trying to paint on just primer? you really should have a basecoat of paint on there, a "background" color if you will. once the background color is applied and dry, scuff it up with a scotchbrite pad to give it a little tooth (something for your airbrush paints to grab on to) and then go to town.

also, many will spray a light coat of clear over the base color and then do the artwork on that.

I am no expert here, this is what I have learned from others that are, and i am sure they will chime in here soon.

[yardartnut]

Originally Posted by heartless

I am no expert here, this is what I have learned from others that are, and i am sure they will chime in here soon.

Heart is correct.....clean the surface with a good degreaser....
after I clean the surface ,prime, scuff with red or gray scotchbrite pad...I always wipe down with mineral spirits [let dry]..lay your base coat, and paint away.

[LeeAnn]

Great, Thanks for the tips.

What type of paint do I use for a base coat? And should it be white? What background color will give my airbrush paints their maximum potential? Or, should I try to match up as best as I can the base coat to the colors I will use with the airbrush? Hmmm.... Complicated!

Also, using a sponge to add "teeth" wont ruin the smoothness of the tank after its all done?

I trust you all... I dont know any of this stuff, and I am so grateful to those of you who do, and are willing to share your know-how! Just curious.

Also, do I smooth sand the primer before adding the base coat?

[yardartnut]

Originally Posted by LeeAnn

Great, Thanks for the tips.

What type of paint do I use for a base coat? And should it be white? What background color will give my airbrush paints their maximum potential? Or, should I try to match up as best as I can the base coat to the colors I will use with the airbrush? Hmmm.... Complicated!

Also, using a sponge to add "teeth" wont ruin the smoothness of the tank after its all done?

I trust you all... I dont know any of this stuff, and I am so grateful to those of you who do, and are willing to share your know-how! Just curious.

Also, do I smooth sand the primer before adding the base coat?

Yes prime projects, and scuff to give your base coat something to grip or bond to.

Use basecoats compatable with your clear your gonna use....
In other words if you paint a base from a rattle can and then clear it with uros your base will wrinkle and ruin your artwork.....

background color depends on the graphics your gonna paint.....hundreds of backgrounds to choose from.

Teeth? sorry ya lost me there... re-post what tank your are speaking of.... the paint cup? If so I use small old tooth brushes to swirl the cleaner in the cup and flip the cup uside down to empty the loose paint out [so you dont chance the clog causing particle to stop up the gun] but a sponge may break of in particles that can cause clogs.......

[chucktx]

"teeth or tooth" is a term used by painters. it means putting a bit of texture in the paint so other paints or clears will adheare. when you use a scotchbrite pad, it scuffs the surface, or, gives it some "tooth". you wont be able to feel this "tooth" but the paint will be able to adheare to it.....hope this helps a bit, if not just ask away.......

[LeeAnn]

Okay~ I think I am following along pretty good here.

I do have a few more questions. Where can I buy this (blue or red) Scotchbrite pad?

I have no idea what I plan to paint on this Harley tank yet, but lets just say, if I were going to paint a purple gas tank with red/orange/yellow flames... Would it be best to paint the base coat purple, since more of the tank will be that color? Or should I stick with, say, a yellow base coat, since that will be my lightest colored finish paint? (Or am I just making this too complicated? lol)

Also, what types/brands of paint would you suggest for painting on a Harley gas tank? (durability, brightness, etc.) And what clearcoat is durable, yet also realiable to give a good finish?

I hope I am not asking too many questions here. This will just be for practice anyways, but I want to be sure that I am doing this the right way from the start, rather than wasting time learning from too many mistakes on my own.

Again, thanks so much!

[pitontheprowl]

Shoot the base coat first.

The scotch-brite pads can be gotten anywhere from craft stores, to paint stores, to hardware stores.

I would be a little different on a purple base.

Chose colors that will flow together.
Shades of purple, blue, or darker reds?
Then make it pop with a silver pinstripe

Just my 2 cents though.