If I do all the prep work for my car - how good of a paint job will $1000-1500 get me? I plan on getting a lot better paint job next summer but I want something that will last and look nice for a year.

I wanted to get like a nice blue metallic color, with 2 off white/silverish stripes over the blisters. How much would something like this run?

Or should I just go to Earl Scheib or Maaco and have a shop just put vinyl over it for the stripes?

 

If you have the knowledge to prep the car yourself,it will save yourself a lot of money.But if you have this knowledge then why not paint it yourself?I had a body shop guy help me with my car,and it still ended up costing me almost 2 thousand dollars to paint my car.I can say one thing that it was done right.I think it would be wise to do it right the first time.Hope everything turns out and good luck.

 

well I wouldnt be doing the prep work. A family member of mine said he could help me out with the prep, but after that I just am not sure how far exactly 1500 would get me? I guess thats what i'm wanting to know.

 

$1,500 should get you a damn decent paint job if you do the prep work yourself.

 

You should be able to get an excellent paint job for that price. You could pick up some inexpensive primer, paint, thinner, hardener for $200-300. You mask off the car and damn near any paint guy will spray a car a for a grand in his pocket. When I was younger I paid my dad's friend $100 to spray a car in PPG acrylic enamel. It lasted until the car died 4 years later.

 

Here's a great write up that should help you. Good luck with it man.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...nting+car+home

 

im doing the same thing... you think a vert is cheaper to paint since it has no roof?

 

I can see it being cheaper, but it could be a little cheaper, or a lot cheaper.

^ That is the stupidest thing I've ever said.

 

I doubt they'll give you a discount just because it won't require as much paint. In fact, it may require more masking...

 

Basically, you're going to need a gallon of both primer and paint whether it's a vert, hardtop, or t. I would guess it would be about the same in any case.

 

is using rattle can primer a bad idea?

 

Gallon of paint? You know after the reducer and hardener are mixed in, you'll probably end up with 2 gallons. I bought a gallon of white for my car and probably had just a little over half a gallon left. Ended up painting a couple of boat trailers with what was left over. 2 quarts should be enough and be easier on your wallet.

 

yeah I used no more then 3 quarts for my ttop car. the guy at the paint shop said 3 would be good, but when he checked the prices in the computer a gallon was only $10 more

if your guy doesnt check that, ask him to :P