pHEnomIC

iTrader: (14)

Just got a new ss hood for my z. I have some paint left over from some old body panel work and would like to paint my hood for now until i can afford a whole paint job.

I've done paint work before but it has been a while.

What steps should i take and how many coats of everything should i use?

Do i need to prime it or is it fine to paint already?

So im thinking:
Scuff it up with an sos pad
3-4 coats basecoat
2-3 coats clear coat
wetsand with 1000, 1500,2000
buffing compound
glazing compound

Anything i should add or do?

Camaroholic

iTrader: (1)

You might want to seal the gelcoat with an epoxy primer, and you probably don't need to hit the clear with 1000 (1500 and 2000 will do fine). Make sure the hood has sat in the sun for a while to let the resin cure a bit before painting. Be sure to go over the hood well and check for any pinholes or thin spots.

IMD

iTrader: (10)

dont use an sos pad!

sand the gel coat with 400 girt paper, then prime. sand the primer with 600 grit paper. then paint it. usuall 2-3 coats is enough to get good coverage. usually 2 coats of clear is also enough. especially on a flat hood where the mil thickness is going to be naturally higher. if its relatively smooth amd trash free, you may be able to just smooth the clar out with 2000, then buff and polish.

s.o.m.SS

iTrader: (1)

I would just sand the gel coat with a DA with 220 grit make sure its all smooth. Shoot it with a sealer and then paint and clear and like camaroholic said 1500 and 2000 will be just fine. But if you want to be really meticulous get the gel coating off expoxy primer and then block it out by hand with 400. Good luck

Fast_94_Z

iTrader: (12)

my suggestion is do the entire hood with 400 and a d/a. anything you cant get like on the underside of the hood and stuff use a scotch brite red scuff pad(but only for what you cant get with a d/a and or sandpaper by hand. if theres no damage you dont need to prime it. if theres any bare metal just use some 1k primer to shoot the bare metal theres no need to do the whole hood. seal the hood with 1 coat, 2-3 coats of base, and 2-3 coats of clear. look at the texture in your fenders before buffing it. if theres a good amount you dont need to get crazy with wetsanding. if theres not sand scuff the hood with 2000, hit all the dirt with 1200 or 1500(depends on color) then go back over everything with 3000 to knock a little more texture out and to make it easier to buff(for best results 2000 and 1200 or 1500 can work aswell but go back over it with atleast 2000)