I was thinking about trying to get my cars body work and paint done this year. I have done a little body work but no paint. I have enough money to pay to have one or the other done by a shop. My question is should i have a shop do the body work and i attempt the paint or vice versa. Im not looking for a show paint job, just something to get me by for a couple of years. Thanks

Questions to ask yourself first:
Do you have the tools or access to tools?
(DA sander, board sander, paint gun compressor)
If you don't have the tools, are you willing to spend the dinero for them? You may spend as much on tools and supplies as you would for a paint job. Your first one anyway.

If you get past these questions, then you ask yourself; Am I talented enough to do the job?
I've seen highly talented 'Body Technicians' that couldn't paint a house right and painters who couldn't get a panel straight if you paid them a million dollars! Then there are many who do both very well. It depends on the individual. The only way to see if you can is to try it. I've seen beginners Forrest Gump their way through a paint job and have it looking real good after some sanding and buffing. So, if you think you can do it, you really have to want to do it. Tha's the only way to perservere through the process. It takes ALOT of patience and alot of time. Especially when you're doing it for the first time. If you get easily frustrated when something dosn't go well, well, I wouldn't recommend body & paint work as a hobby! You have to expect to do some things twice. Even painting a panel over to get it right. Whatever you decide to do, good luck and we'll be here to help.

------------------
Triple Black 69 SS 396

I didn't think about the tools that I may need to the job correctly. Considering what a good air compressor and air tools cost i probably wouldn't have the money to finish the job. Maybe i'll see if any of the local body shops would be willing to work on it for a decent price.

Sport, you said somrthing to last a couple years. Don't know where you're at but here there are Maaco paint shops. Not the best but could get you by for $300-500. A little more for body work.

Kerry, we have a couple Maaco here in town. My next door neighbor had them do some body work and paint on his truck. Looked good for the first year but then you could see bubbles coming up through the paint. I'm thinking about going down and talking to them anyway, maybe since my car is not an every day car they work on they might do a better job. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

I have a paint shop called Peaches(paint jobs from $200-$500) near me that I have seen some great looking paint come from but their prep and bodywork is far from what it should be. I found out what brand paint they use and started the bodywork on my Elcamino myself using appropriate products/procedures so I can take it to them to shoot the paint. I have the fenders/doors/hood off so I can repair the door hinges and properly paint the jambs. I spent the day sanding the body to bare metal, still have the doors/fenders/hood to do, at least another days work, then its filler time.
I have told my friends to kick me square in the butt if I ever buy another project needing a complete strip/paint. Never again! I would rather rebuild a warehouse full of engines/trans/rears than mess with this blinkin bodywork!

------------------
Elcaminos are special!

I'd rather walk around with a Chevrolet hubcap in my hand than drive a Ford


work in progress
Big James Elky(AKA Ol Paint) (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Big%20James4XL-Ol%20Paint1.jpg)
another shot of Ol Paint (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Big%20James4XL-Ol%20Paint2.jpg)

I agree 100% with you Big James on that!