If I had the time to figure out how to play an mp3 file using WordPress, I would have the Rolling Stones’ version of Paint it Black playing in the background, so if you know the tune, you can just humm along …

Yesterday was a big day for the wagon project, it was the start of the final phase where the wagon will now start coming back together! It now has some actual final paint on it!

To start the paint work, I chose to paint the firewall, frame, inner fender panels, core support and underside of the hood with a medium sheen, black matte finish. Once the main body is painted, I will be able to move directly into rebuilding the fronts suspension and reinstalling the engine and transmission.

I have to say I was pretty excited. I was in such a rush to spray paint with my new Iwata HVLP gun that I didnt clean the floor before pulling the wagon back in and masking off the main body. I also neglected to wet the floor to help with the dust. Once I had the firewall and frame painted, we moved the wagon outside and brought in all of the large pieces that were to be painted black, including the hood which had to be masked off.

My long time friend and neighbor Jerry Schrunk, came over to help with masking, moving stuff around and mixing paint. He was a great help! I have to say that I really liked my cheapo Harbor Freight Purple HVLP guns ($29.95), but I had been convienced that a high quality gun would really be a big help with a job as large as this one is, so although it really hurt to spend the money on the Iwata HVLP gun, I did and boy am I glad that I did! What a difference! The gun is easy to set up, handles really well (much lighter than the HF knock offs), cleans like a dream and lays down nice even coats. Now I cant wait to spray the color!

All the small pieces that needed to be painted created a fair amount of over spray on the floor – mostly a fine dust, that had I wet the floor and kept it damp would not have been a problem. As it was some of the panels have some dust specs on them and all of them show the orange peel that was in the epoxy primer that I didnt sand out, before painting, but once it is assembled on the wagon, it wont be noticable.

Painting the Engine Compartment

Jerry brought over his new digital video camera to try out while I was painting. His clips give you a pretty good idea of what was going on…