Rattle can primer and regular paint

[cooldude]

Howdy fellows! Im new to the paint and body work stuff. I am wondering if I can use primers from a rattle can to do the priming and sanding foundation for the body work on my 73 Charger, and then get a paint shop to spray the final coat on with a regular paint system in a body shop?

I know that some primers will not mix well with regular paints. So Im wondering about this.

The reason I ask, is that a buddy of mine has a spray booth, and offered to shoot the final coat on for me if I did the priming and sanding myself. So I could save some bucks doing it that way.

I dont have the suit and set up to paint regular paint myself, as some of it is pretty toxic to breath.

Your thoughts and advice are much appreciated by this newbie. Thanks

[charger_fan_4ever]

So I could save some bucks doing it that way.

Always cheaper in the long haul to do it right the 1st time. I have learned this before. Cheaper now yes, but in a year or 2 when the paint starts bubbling and you need to strip it back to metal again it won't be cheap.

Are you set up to sand/media blast ? if not maybe consider sending it out to be blasted and primed. Then bring back home for the metal/body work.

my  

[tan top]

what what CF4E  said  ,  don't skip on prep either  , & then  do it right  , etch primer  the 2k high build primer 

[hemi-hampton]

My Advise. Pay extra to have your buddy do it in his spray booth. LEON.

[RallyeMike]

To really do it right you have to shoot metal etch primer and block sand and spray a few times with high-build. To really save money buy a cheapo HVLP gun and compressor and spray it in the driveway. It's ok if it gets crap in it because you are going to block sand it anyway. Whoever shoots the final coat will shoot a quick sealer on it first.

[cooldude]

That sounds like a good suggestion that I can probably work with. Ive got a 60 gal compressor, so I can shoot the primer.

Right now it is in orange primer. I was going to sand on that, use it for a guide coat, and grey primer over it with a rattle can ans sand that. But I like your suggestion better.

I was kinda shaky on whether or not the primer from a rattlecan would mix well with spray gun paint anyway.

I gotto tell ya, Im a little shaky also on modern paints. Some of them use isocyanides, and other really dangerous stuff. I hear you have to wear an air supply respirator, a space man suit, and all.   I dont understand them,but I know they are dangerous to use. It is freaking me out a little, not knowing what I am doing where this modern paint stuff is concerned.

The primer that I will be using dont have that stuff in them does it?

[Dino]

All automotive paint is dangerous. The quick and easy solution is to wear a respirator but the truth is that this stuff will get through your skin as well, hence the space suit. I painted part of my car about a year ago and I was covered up as best as possible and did it in an open garage on a windy day. Ideally if you can do this in a paint booth and you cover up as best as possible and use the best paint mask you can afford, then you'll be alright. Guys that do this for a living every day need to be a bit more careful than those who only get occasional exposure.

[Canadian1968]

a NOISH approved carbon filtee mask is what you need , will run around 70 bucks . A pair of decent plastic gloves , some old pants and long sleeve shirt (actually a Hoodie would be best). You are well protected for a garage job.

[green69rt]

I've used some rattle can primer but only as a temporary rust barrier.  When getting ready to finish the car I sanded as much of the rattle can primer off as I could.

Also, I found a two part primer on autobody tool mart that seemed fairly good.  It's expensive at $26 a can but I used it in spots, covering the whole car would cost a ton!

Don't even think of using something like Rustoleum primer,   I used some on  a few spots and it never seemed to harden up.  When I sanded it it gummed up the paper.  When I was wiping the car for final prime (degreaser) the rustoleum came off on the rag.  I ended up spending a lot of time making sure there was none ( I mean zero!) left on the car.

[cooldude]

Would a good filter mask be good enough for a lacquer based primer if I use a spray/ compressor paint gun?

(Im a total newb about car painting)