Anybody out there have any tips on how to do your own paint job...going to do gun metal grey w/two black SS racing stripes...Any tips, warnings, opinions welcome.

 

as you can see most don't like the idea or haven't done it.....


i'm against it as if you have to ask the question you haven't tackled anything like it. not that can't, but do you really want to.

if you have the resources and money to do it right then go ahead and try it.

it is not easy.................

good luck.

 

Yeah, it's something that can't really be typed out step by step. I took a class to learn the basics plus, was able to paint the truck I had at the time. Done about a dozen other paint projects since then and planning on painting my car again this year. Getting bored with the white paint job hehe.

 

Hey Evil, being a guy who has done this many times in the past, do you have any tips or warnings for a beginner. (Besides don't try it). Thanks.

 

If you want a first class job on this car, then you should not attempt to do it own your own. This type of work takes the right tools, knowledge and experience to produce quality, long lasting results. In addition, the paint and materials required are expensive and easily wasted in the trial and error process.
That being said, your best option to paint your first car with acceptable results is to take a night autobody class at your local community college. If this is an option for you it really is a good deal. Tools, shop space and sometimes materials are covered by the cost of tuition. If this is not feasible for you, then try to make friends with a painter/bodyman
This is how I began this line of work when I painted my 86 T/A in 1991.

 

Prep work, ummm prep work oh yeah, prep work! Seriously though, your best bet if your really wanting to do it yourself is take a class if you can.

'86tranzsheezam, I'm thinking of going into the line of work also... I just hate all the damn sanding LOL Going to test myself on how well I can do body work by doing my car in black Did a Corvette and a GMC dually for a guy and man they turned out great looking, just wish I had gotten pictures

 

my suggestion if you've never done any paint work to a car before take it to someone that has like a body shop or something because if you F&*K it up your gonna be kickin yourself in the ***. because it's just more work you have to do to fix it to make it look right again.

 

Hey evil- IMHO theres only one good way to get "em prepped- helpers!

Seriously though....its not a bad gig for the money. Larger bodyshops in the city is where the money's at. I painted collision work in atl ga for several years.....tons of work but grueling schedule. I've sinced moved back to the sticks of nc and now I just do restos and odd jobs at a small shop I share with a friend. I still enjoy the work ( paint and body) and I have more time to screw around but it don't pay like it used to. Good craftsmen in this line of work are a dyin breed ( too many hacks lookin for quick bucks nowadays) so I say if you enjoy it-GO FOR IT...

 

There's quite a few body shops around the area here and the one the guy is making bank. Not sure about his workers but the loads is getting loads hehe. There's really nothing like taking a crappy banged up car and turning it into something really good looking.

 

I am definately not an expert. I have troubles just painting something like the dash or AC bracket. I will say this,


Preperation and patience are very important, which is what seperated my crappy paint projects from ok looking ones.


I wouldn't even think about painting my car myself. I don't have the space, time, patience, tools, or materials to do it myself. I would like to paint my own car to save money, but I wouldn't want my paintjob to look like A$$ after spending a lot of time and money into the project.

 

Hey guys, got one panel done this weekend...here's a pic. It went very well; in fact the only thing that sucked about it is that there was four coats of paint on it. I'll post more as it comes together.

 

where's the pic?

 

Yeah painting a car isn't a project that a beginner needs to do if they want a good job done, unless you've got some help or guidence from someone.

 

if you really want to...<A HREF="http://www.gmtips.com/3rd-degree/dox/tips/paint/paint.htm">here</A> is an article with supplies, tools, tips, tricks, info, etc.

Or you could always go buy a "Do It Yourself Paint Job" book.

 

The best thing to do is find a trade school and enroll. They will let you work on your own car as a project as you go along.

If not take it to Maaco or the Earl Scheib car wash

 

Sorry...tried three times to get the pic loaded the other day but it just wouldn't go...here it is

 

metallic paint is really hard to get to look good. any mulit stage paint with more than a solid color and clear can get a splotchy look if your gun is not good, and your line presure is not constant. also, the way you flip the paint from the gun also can make or brake the splotchy effect.
i know the guys here at the body shop have a hard time with multi stage paint even after 20 years experience.

good luck

 

yea that looks kind of splochy but what ever you want to do... did you practice on a different thing first before you started painting the car?

 

Yeah...it was a little windy that day. I have since put another coat of primer on it. It looks more even than that picture but I think I am going to have to do it again becasue the primer isn't adhering properly. Going to have to use self etching primer. I'll be sure to post pics after I get done.

 

your doing the sparying outside in the wind? do you have a place that you can pull that car into and paint it with out the wind getting in the way like a garage or something a shed i don't know something cuz if your doing the detailed paint job that you want i wouldn't do it outside where leaves or bugs or birds can cause problems sorry just my 2 cents.

 

Unfortunately I don't...I figure I will do all the primering myself and then I will do the paint job in my dads garage...he has a 60 gallon compressor and a sprayer. I live in base housing so I really have no other choice...I could go down to the hobby shop and rent out thier paint room for $7 an hour but I would rather do that when I have the primer done. Also, I plan on racing the car so the quality of the paint job doesn't have to be great, which is the reason I am doing it my self. I would rather not pay someone a tone of money to put a great paint job on this car when I am going to go out and get it all dinged up...I'll worry about having it done right when I am done racing. By the way...I appreciate all the input from everyone, you've all given me some great ideas.

 

dirt in the paint

just be sure you wet sand all the dirt and high spots out of the primer before you lay down your base coat, or you will be stuck with it until the repaint.

good luck

 

Is there a special kind of sand paper that I have to use to wet sand it because the sand paper that I used got all soggy and torn when I wet sanded.

 

if your gonna race it why redo the paint job? unless your gonna make it a show car also or do you just want it to look good at the track?

 

I'll be getting a new paint job on mine, but it will for sure be professional. I believe in doing you own car work, but when it comes to paint, I wont try to save money. Unless you're really experience, or extremely lucky, it wont be as good.