Ok fellas, it's time to do something I have been shying away from for a long time. Please know that I am truly a complete NEWB. I am limited in experience but I am also a sponge. My name is BUDGET BUILDER for a reason. I have more time than $$$ and I don't have the $6k the local shop told me it would cost to align panel perfect, sand ,prime , paint, and buff this thing. I can't afford at thus time a showroom paint job and besides I DRIVE THIS CAR. Pictures are here: https://www.dropbox.com/sc/xk4ca2bmgew010e/AACg-XpHa9ZrsxxP15ymSaupa

Hopefully the pics will come thru I'm just learning to use "dropbox". Any and all suggestions and advice is welcome. I will be using RUSTOLEUM TURBO CAN and going back white. I have a 5in orbital sander. Let me know. Fir real fellas and ladies let me know!

 

Honestly, for $1,000 you can get a 30 gallon compressor, LVLP gun (important, LVLP, no HVLP due to cfm requirements), a decent BC/CC and knock it out in your garage with some tarps hanging up for dust control (or don't worry about dust control). I'd recommend that vs $500 on a bunch of cans.

 

You will regret going spray can. Unless you plan on selling the car within the very short period it looks "decent".

 

This! the spray can will dissapoint you in more ways than you can count.


Also, whatever you do,.....practive on some junkyard fender / panel....... youll regret messing up on then having to redo / learn as you go on your actual panels.... ask me how I know... You should get it within a few minutes, but messing up the panel will take hours of extra work!

 

This is why I asked for advice. For the next 6mo-9mo I just wanted it a single solid color. Next year a real body shop with a real painter. I don't know if anyone seen the pics but the gaps between the panels really bother me. But $6k is something I don't have right now. I only owe $26k on my house so that takes priority. Keep it coming. Thx fellas

 

like your idea, but need tips on body work as well.

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...o-i-paint.html

Imma read this also

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body/598772-my-diy-paint-project.html

 

If you plan to paint it pro next year. you might want to wait?


its gonan cost you more in the long run to have them redo / strip paint etc.. etc.. especially if you use rattle can.

 

Boss just pay $800.00 on a Macco Special OR Dip Your Car its last a few years and you peel it off. Colors Flat Gloss Satin Hyper-shift etc

Click Link ----> Carbon Blue Car Kit - Browse Our Selection Of Plasti Dip® Colors For Cars! | DipYourCar – DipYourCar.com

 

Getting panels to line up just takes time (and also acceptance that you probably, most likely, in 99/100 cases, aren't going to get perfect lines on a car built in the 80's). Fenders, nose, doors, all are held on with bolts that can be loosened and then you just manhandle the panel and see how much "wiggle" room you have. Get it as close as you can and call it a day. If there is damage or significant rust then get some body hammers and practice fixing the dents, treating the rust, etc.

 

I'd just take it to Maaco, but beforehand go ahead and remove any trim, ground effects, etc that you can while still keeping it driveable to the shop. You could even remove the taillights, fender liners, and stuff like that in the parking lot.

 

Idk if yall looked at the hood but how do I remove the surface rust quickly?

 

Hi ho hi ho off to maaco I go!!!!!
$1826 sand down smooth, to bare metal in some places especially. Hood and fender. Then primer, sealer, then just white..... then I can do the split vette 9.5/10.5 wheels, flush door handles, new window sweeps, black grille w/ red bowtie, smoked marker lights, smoked turn signals, smoked headlight lenses, and smoked taillight lenses. Tint windows, 245f/305r tires.......
then at Xmas 350sbc (out) - ls376/480 w/4l80 (in), Dakota digital dash terminator x ls3 intake headers and 3.90 gear and 3k stall. And retro ac

I'm going to have a ball....... this is not a show/race car

 

Best I can do for now! Please understand it's just MAACO.....

 

If there was a maaco near me I’d absolutely do it.

 

 

this is the b4 pic

 

Looks good!

 

Looks good, but I do suggest pulling off those fender liners and painting them with some matte black paint. You may need to touch up your rear wheel wells too. Good time to redo any crumbling seam sealer too.

 

$6k please tell me where, lol. I was just quoted 12 to 14k in new york.

 

I've learned everybody's idea of a "good" paint job is different. I had mine painted about 10 years ago or so, by a body shop instructor nonetheless. Other people say it looks good, but I think it looks awful. It has urethane wave that no amount of wetsanding can remove, I've tried. And in just the right light, up close, I can see little orbital sanding swirls in the primer underneath the paint. I want to have it painted again, but having a hard time finding anyone I can trust.

 

All in: $1800
rust sanded down to metal, everything else sanded smooth, prime, urethane sealer, and base coat. 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♂️🤷

Imma go with it. Thx fellas

 

That's not a bad deal at all. Get some tint on those windows to finish it off. It'll look good with that white paint.

 

My Xmas present to myself. 🤞

-Put my 6.2 in ( but take out the hotcam and get a TITAN 4 or ws6 high lift ASA)
-Ls3 intake
-4l80 tranny
-3500 stall
-subfram connectors
-3:90 gear (LS)
Hopefully!!!!!
Xmas or at least before next summer