Think I'm gonna take the plunge, need some tips or advice

[Steves94Z28]

Hello guys, I think I have talked myself into doing my own paint job on my car. My car still has the original 94 Medium Patriot Red on her but I have several spots of clear coat pegging as well as some fading. I have access to the equipment I need to prep and paint, but the garage has a dirt floor. I assume if I put plastic on the floor as well as hang plastic to keep paint dust from spreading, I should be ok. I have done lots of body work over the last 25 years but I have never sprayed one. As far as prep, I am very familiar with this step. My question is, are any of the paint kits on eBay any count or has anyone ever used them? The one I'm really looking at comes everything to do a base coat clear coat job on one car. I can't afford PPG or any of the other popular finishes, so does anyone know of an affordable brand that may be better quality than the ones on eBay? The one I'm looking at is like $235 or so. Any advise or suggestions is appreciated. Also, I'm gonna go with the factory color but from what I read it is now Cayenne red.....is this correct?

Thanks!

[mcalus]

To do a paint job correctly you are looking at ~$1500 for materials alone. $235 is a cheap gallon of clear....

In my opinion, take it or leave it. Your best bet is to spend the money and do it right the first time or you'll end up back at square one. You want the paint job to last (assuming) you'll need nice products to get there.

if you are dead set on doing it cheap, at the very least get a good clear with UV protection.

[Darren]

Coming from someone who painted their car. Don't do it.

[Steves94Z28]

Coming from someone who painted their car. Don't do it.

Darren, I don't have the funds for a 3k paint job. I figured this would be better than a rattle can job lol. But seriously, what would my best option be if I were to have it sprayed instead of doing it myself?

[Darren]

Darren, I don't have the funds for a 3k paint job. I figured this would be better than a rattle can job lol. But seriously, what would my best option be if I were to have it sprayed instead of doing it myself?

Do you have a large air compressor and the paint guns to do the job? Like mike says paint materials is $1000-1500 depending what you use. I had $1000 in paint that doesn't include sanding blocks, tape, paper and other shop supplies, plus the work...

So in the end you'll have a lot into it. I'd find someone to do it on the side or save up. I'm glad I did mine, it was a learning experience for sure. But if I was to do it again I'd do a lot of things differently.


Sent from my iPhone 5 on iOS7 using Tapatalk

[Gregs_gsxr]

its all in the prep, clean, scuff, take your time masking or better yet take things off the car you dont want painted or cleared. It can be done, I think its simple, just takes time and patience. IF you havent used a HVLP spray gun before, get one and pratice. Dont cheap out on a spray gun either. Its all about quality when spraying. The best gun set up correct even the blind can lay a good coat of color. Follow directions set by the manufactur of the products your spraying. IE if it says that its not recommended for reducer, dont use it. Like everyone else says the paint products are not cheap. I spent 300 on just epoxy primer not including activator or mixing cups, filters, etc. Then I bought High build primer over that to block down, then color, clear, and you cant cheap out on clear coat either. A cheap clear will allow the color to sun bleach. So get something with UV protectent in it.

Plus we havent even talked about body work, if you need it, fixing cracks, stone chips, door dents things like that all take time.


edit: I have 3 spray guns 2 primer, one BC /CC my base and clear cost about 460 about 10 yrs ago, my primers was about 190. or so, both bought with discounts. These are very nice at the time, gun prices are up and some cost as much as your paint job, but are top of the line. So consider that too specially if you dont have them or can borrow some. Then to clean the guns and cups. Which I use a good laquer thinner which is about 12 a gallon.

[landstuhltaylor]

Why not just get it wrapped?

[Steves94Z28]

Do you have a large air compressor and the paint guns to do the job? Like mike says paint materials is $1000-1500 depending what you use. I had $1000 in paint that doesn't include sanding blocks, tape, paper and other shop supplies, plus the work...

So in the end you'll have a lot into it. I'd find someone to do it on the side or save up. I'm glad I did mine, it was a learning experience for sure. But if I was to do it again I'd do a lot of things differently.


Sent from my iPhone 5 on iOS7 using Tapatalk

its all in the prep, clean, scuff, take your time masking or better yet take things off the car you dont want painted or cleared. It can be done, I think its simple, just takes time and patience. IF you havent used a HVLP spray gun before, get one and pratice. Dont cheap out on a spray gun either. Its all about quality when spraying. The best gun set up correct even the blind can lay a good coat of color. Follow directions set by the manufactur of the products your spraying. IE if it says that its not recommended for reducer, dont use it. Like everyone else says the paint products are not cheap. I spent 300 on just epoxy primer not including activator or mixing cups, filters, etc. Then I bought High build primer over that to block down, then color, clear, and you cant cheap out on clear coat either. A cheap clear will allow the color to sun bleach. So get something with UV protectent in it.

Plus we havent even talked about body work, if you need it, fixing cracks, stone chips, door dents things like that all take time.


edit: I have 3 spray guns 2 primer, one BC /CC my base and clear cost about 460 about 10 yrs ago, my primers was about 190. or so, both bought with discounts. These are very nice at the time, gun prices are up and some cost as much as your paint job, but are top of the line. So consider that too specially if you dont have them or can borrow some. Then to clean the guns and cups. Which I use a good laquer thinner which is about 12 a gallon.

Why not just get it wrapped?

Thanks guys for for the tips. I do have good size compressor that should easily be big enough. As far a a spray gun, I do jot have one. Can u recommend a decent one? I have already figured on taking my time on the prep work and making sure it is all perfect. On my car I don't have any damage other than a few gravel dings to fill. I was thinking about using House of Kolor products...anyone have any or know anything about their quality? Also, what in the world is wrapping a car? I honestly had never heard of it.....thanks a ton guys.....

[mcalus]

House of Kolor is over priced IMO... There is much better bang for your buck.

As for a gun, a GTi is a great base gun and isn't too expensive (~$400)
A CVi or a PLUS gun would be great for clear. They are older guns but they still sell them. Iwata has some good guns too. I never have been a big Sata fan but I did learn to spray on Sata's, they are still great guns just all in preference.

Don't wrap the car, that's just a temporary fix and it can get expensive. A wrap is a big piece of vinal that is wrapped around your car. Google it.

if I were you I would find a buddy's garage to do it in, even if you lay plastic down, any dirt that gets on the plastic is just going to blow around while spraying.


find a cemented garage and wet the floor down.

[landstuhltaylor]

Vinyl wraps are a good solution for someone who doesn't want to spend a boatload of money. Pretty easy to so it yourself and materials should come in it no more than a grand. It can always be removed but they will only last for a few years before it wears. Good cheap temporary solution that looks fantastic. Definitely not something I would do if you wanted it to last 5+ years though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

[hoogiesngrinderz]

HoK is overpriced, but if you get into the specialty stuff....damn, does it look good. Takes a seasoned sprayer to get it right though.

I hate to say it but if you prep the car right and find a reputable Maaco, it might not be a terrible way to go. You sand, initial prep, tape off everything and remove emblems, they can turn out nice for not a ton of coin. Ante up for the higher quality materials and do the wet sand cut n' buff at the end yourself. Be careful not to burn through the clear.

[Steves94Z28]

HoK is overpriced, but if you get into the specialty stuff....damn, does it look good. Takes a seasoned sprayer to get it right though.

I hate to say it but if you prep the car right and find a reputable Maaco, it might not be a terrible way to go. You sand, initial prep, tape off everything and remove emblems, they can turn out nice for not a ton of coin. Ante up for the higher quality materials and do the wet sand cut n' buff at the end yourself. Be careful not to burn through the clear.

Thanks hoogiesngrinderz, i may do that but im really wanting the experience of doing it myself lol....