It seems to me that painting is like PROMing. The gear to do it yourself costs as much or less then the cheapest result is to just buy.

How much would the gear cost me, what do I need, and am I setting myself up for disappointment here?

I've done small touch up before with spray paint, and with a little rubbing compound, it came out perfect. Like the adjuster didn't even see the spot after that car got totaled. (yes, it was on a good panel...)

Input?

-Reno

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"We are the middle children of history. Our Great War is a spiritual war, our Great Depression is our lives" - T.D.

 

For what it's worth, I have a small paint FAQ on my site, it might answer some of your questions...

http://www.deadbird.org/paint/car.htm

------------------[*]my Formula Homepage [*]Collision P/Ns & Diagrams

"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is to try to please everyone."

 

Great sight! I want to go out right now and give it a try. Now I only have to find a booth...

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85T/A 305/QJ work in progress.

 

You’re going to need an air compressor, Spray gun, a low dust area to paint in, paint, and some painting skill.

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1989 Iroc-Z 5.7 350, Blue, T-Tops

Lightly Moded:
Edelbrock Headers, Rebuilt B&M 700R-4 Tranny, Higher Stall Torque Converter, Airfoil, 3.4 w\posi, K&N's, Ported & Polished Plenum
-- Blue LED Bakelite Dash & Climate Control
- I am just some 17 Year old spending every dollar I make on my car.

 

Painting Skill comes from practice...& Patients..

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G O D BLESS AMERICA

http://www.3rdgenformula.com
87 Formula 5.1 TPI Auto Modified (Yellow/Black)

87 Formula TPI (5 Speed) Yellow/Gray STOCK

14.8sec 1967 Buick Riviera
1990 Buick Riviera (driver)
83 Camaro
83 T/A

 

Really? You have to be in a medical profession to have painting skill? I don't see how that works.

I know you meant patience. Just bein a wise @ss.

 

Mikes86SC, Mikes86SC, Mikes86SC, Mikes86SC, Mikes86SC, Mikes86SC, Mikes86SC, Mikes86SC, Mikes86SC, Mikes86SC, Mikes86SC, Mikes86SC, Mikes86SC, Mikes86SC, Mikes86SC, Mikes86SC,

oh!... Don't mind me, I am trying to memorize mikes name so I can be a wise A@@ back at some later date...

 

I picked up a professional compressor at a Cash Converters (pawn shop) for 250 (worth 900) Between fiberglass, mud, and glaze, i spent $60, Paint, Primers and reducers Cost me around $180 (Duplicolour @ Canadian Tire) And I borrowed my school's spray gun, and used their booth.
I originally was renting a booth and gun at a privately owned body shop, i'd look into that also.
If you've got a spray gun, it's relatively easy to turn your garage into a spray booth... A few fans, furnace filters 2x4's, plastic wrap, and plenty of duct tape and your all set. Car Craft magazine had an article on painting your car and building a pray booth a few month's back, see if you can dig up an issue.
Also, i found the Haynes Body Repair and Painting manual ($23) really helpfull

all the prices are CDN btw

 

Also, after a few practice runs on an old fender (i replaced all the fenders and Quarter panels, and since i was throwing it out anyways...) I had the technique down pretty well.
I'm not a pro, but it wasn't as hard as i thought it would be iether.