Jul - The R-390A Frequently Asked Questions Page

4) Get Benjamin Moore Impervo enamel (or equal) from a local paint dealer. Pick a color, or
have them use the computer to match the old color perfectly. (do this before you strip!!). I used a
flat paint. Semi-gloss is not original and I personally think that a gloss, even a semi, will look
cheesy (Just my humble opinion)
5) Thin 25-30% with mineral spirits and load into spray gun. Spray lightly, I mean MIST the
panel until primer is invisible.
6) Let paint harden for a day then sand with water and 600 paper until smooth as a baby's ass.
Rinse off thoroughly and make sure sanding slurry is out of lettering.
7) You will sand through into the primer in several spots but don't worry. Spray again just
MISTING the panel until it is covered.
8) You can repeat the sand and mist routine one more time if necessary, but I did not need to.
Make sure when you sand you only sand just enough to smooth the surface. This is the hardest
part- knowing when to stop. So take it easy and sand lightly. The smoother you make the subsurface,
the better the panel is going to look.
9) Let the panel dry for a day. Bake for 250 for 2-3 hours. I put mine in my barbaque grill with
the burner set at the lowest setting. I had to prop the lid open about 4" to keep the temp inside
down to 250.
10) That's it. Panel is done. A very important aspect of spraying enamel is making sure the room
is dust-free. My garage is certainly not, but I tip toed in and sprayed then tip toed out. All turned
out well. Now on to the letters....
11) I found a very easy way of filling the letters. So much so, that I had them all perfectly filled in
half hour.
Here it is:
12) Get a bottle of acrylic craft paint in a color of your choice. Squirt a little bit on an area to be
filled. use a small hard rubber squeege to press the paint into the letters and scrape the top clean.
13) After waiting a few minutes for the paint to set up a little, dampen a tissue and gently wipe
off the residue left behind by the paint. The panel comes perfectly clean and the paint is left in the
lettering. Just don't push too hard when wiping. Very easy to do. The enamel is rock hard after
baking and it cleans up perfectly.
14) That's it. I predict I should be able to do my next panel from start to finish in about 2-1/2
hours total time. Not bad. I can't wait for another one!! Bring on the non-a!! I hope I did not
miss anything here, but I may have.
15) I used Eastwoods "chassis epoxy" for the knobs and I really like the way they look. Plus the
epoxy is about the most durable paint you will find in a spray can.
There are a few pictures of the panel and the filling of the lettering on my webpage. Go to:
http://home.earthlink.net/~polaraligned/_wsn/page2.html It is worth the trip (I hope). Let me
know what you think of this method. Scott
From jbrannig@optonline.net Mon Jul 1 02:09:30 2002
Subject: [R-390] How to finish a front panel
Very nice and good tips. I never thought about using the BBQ for paint setting...... To clean the garage I
use a leaf blower...open the door and blast away (wear a dust mask), let it settle and do it again....not
dust free, but not bad.... Jim
From RDavis24@carolina.rr.com Mon Jul 1 02:19:46 2002
Subject: [R-390] How to bake without a oven or grill?
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