I'm real close to being ready to repaint my engine bay while the engine is out. I've never attempted any sort of auto painting before so this should be fun. Got a couple of questions I'm hoping someone here can help with.

Anyone know what type of paint nissan was using in '79? Is it laquer or acrylic enamel? Or is there an easy way to find out? My book says you can't paint laquer over enamel as it'll wrinkle. It does mention a sealer but it's not clear that you can seal enamel to protect from laquer.

Also is there any special protection available for the area under the brake cylinders? Maybe an epoxy primer will protect the metal but is there anything speciial that will protect the finished paint against drips? Of course once it's done I'll be careful with the brake fluid but accidents do happen. Thanks for any help !!
michael

your book is right - you can't spray acrylic directly over enamel. Every Datto I've ever owned has been enamel. Most primers will seal the enamel and allow you to use acrylic top coats.

There's no special protection for under brake master cylinders that I know of. Best way to protect the paint there is to not have a leaky master cyl, and if you ever spill some fuild while topping it up, replace the cap and immediately hose the area thoroughly.

I found when doing my car that just using primer as not enough to stop the reaction. If the acrylic laquer still reacts then you need to use a isolater before your primer.


Did the trick for me!!!!!

Thanks for the advice. After reading a little more on the web I've found that I shoudl use what's called a sealer over here (maybe same as isolater). In the areas susceptible to rust such as the battery tray and frame rails I'll go to bare metal and start with an epoxy primer. Then sealer over every thing, primer, and finish off with the paint. Seems that laquers are pretty much obsolete so I think I'll go with a urethane base/clear. Can't wait to get started. Only things in my way now are the brake and clutch cylinders and brake lines..

I've painted 4 cars in acrylic just using one-step primer over enamel, including my 1200 coupe over 8 years ago. no problems whatsoever. Paint can 'fry' for other reasons too, like poor surface prep - eg oil contamnation from touching the surface prior to painting.

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is this 2pack enamel? I wouldn't use that at home - its highly carcinogenic and requires breathing aparatus and specialist venting/filtering systems to use safely. besides, it chemically hardens so the overspray that lands on everything is next to impossible to remove and if you stuff up its harder to fix - plus once you mix the paint and hardener you can't just stop to fix the stuff-up. Acrylic Laquer is safer, and more forgiving for the amatuer.

just undo the hydraulic lines from the firewall, pull them away a little, and run some masking tape over them. You can cut it off later with a razor blade.