I am brand new to restoring cars. I have a 1966 Chevelle Malibu and want to strip the car down to be repainted.

What type of aircompressor, Sanders, type of Sandpaper Do I need. I really would love to some help on this as I have only a vague clue of what to get.

Will an electric 5hp air copressor be good? Do I need just a DA sander or is a sandblaster too?

Also, since I am so new to the game should I have someone else to the paint?

Please help... Thanks,

Warren

Go here they know it all. At least they seem to............Ward
http://www.autobodystore.com/cgi-bin/config.pl?index

Your going too need something too keep up with the DA's air consumption.. unfortunately a 5 HP jobber won't doo.. I would say a 2 phase 60-80 gal compressor is what you'll need http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif Good Luck.. and we like PICTURES http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

I've done the bodywork and painted a few hundred cars using a 5 hp compressor with a 20, 30 or 33 gal tank. Many years ago, I painted a beautiful 66 Chevy II SS with a 1 hp portable compressor and bleeder gun. No, a 5 hp unit doesn't compare to the larger commercial units, but they are quite adequate for the hobbyist or low volume shop such as I had when I first started doing commercial body/paint work.

I'm now retired from the industry, but for years managed large shops with all the latest equipment. Through it all, I've kept a 5 hp unit at my home to do work on my own cars. I've done trophy winning paint jobs with the 5 hp units and they do well with my SATA 2000 hvlp gun. Extended use of a DA requires a break every 20 minutes or so for the compressor to catch up/cool down.

A compressor, DA sander and a reasonably good spray gun makes a good start.

Should you have someone do the actual painting for you? Heck no! If you have the cajones to invest in the equipment, paint it yourself. The preparation is probably more important than the spraying. Fine sandpaper and a buffer can correct a bunch of spraying screwups.

Thanks for the advice so far. This has been really great.

Would you folks recommend any brands of compressors or air tools? Is an electric copmressor a bad idea? I notice they are a little more affordable.

As far as painting goes. My garage is attached to my house. Will this be problem if I paint inside? I live in Washington so painting outside is less likely to happen.

Last question, in terms of body repair (my car has some rust spots and needs a new trunk). Are any shops better than others when having this done?

Sorry for all the questions but I am new and I am sure I will have lots more.

Thanks!

one more questions...

What type sandpaper should I use for stripping down the paint? I have been told many different things so far. The car has the original paint plus a layer (terribly done) of primer on top of that. I want to take all of it off and start fresh.

Any ideas of what to get?

Thanks!

Warren

If your cars only got original paint w/primer over it I'd wet sand it w/320 and leave the original paint on it. Thats the best metal preservitive I can think of. If your doing this for the first time, I'd get a book and read it for like 20 hours or so.Doing body work is a very hard thing to for the beginner. Your talking striping a car is like your worst hell ride.