New guy with prep question

[stoner]

I'm new to this custom painting and have a question on prep work. I know that the prep work is one of the most important parts to a problem free paint job. I plan on using a sand blaster to remove all old paint from my bikes finders and tank. My question is how to prep the bare metal for priming? Do I have to use mud over the bare metal or just prime and sand? If some one can walk me through the prosess of strpping up to laying a base coat would be greatly appreciated.

 

[hawgrider01]

I sand blast my parts and all I do is wipe down afterward,lightly sand and then wipe and prime. If there is any body work to be done, I do that after the blasting is done. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yay.gif

 

[Mowe]

I would suggest after sandblasting to:Wet sand with 400 grit, sand areas where filler is going to be applied with 80 grit to give some bite for the filler,spray on metel prep to treat bare metel, prime with an epoxy primer like PPG DP 40, then do your body filler, then prime with a primer- sealer. Final sand with 400-600 grit to remove any fine scratchs, then do your base coat. I'm no expert, but this has always worked for me. Good Luck.

 

[Jim]

Stoner,First off,Be careful not to warp the metal when you blast it.After you blast it,blow it out,wipe it down with a pre-cleaner and get either epoxy or etch primer on it fast or it will rust.You can do your body filler over epoxy but if you etch prime,use a filler primer over that before body filler.This will give you a good base to start.If it's not too bad,I use a metal glaze filler,sand it down with 180 then either 320 or 400,prime again to check it,400wet it smooth and then base coat.Good luck!Jim