Thinking of doing it myself

BPeterson · Jul 20, 2001

Alright, I wanted to know a few things so if you guys can help me out that'd be great.

1. How much do I really need to spend on a spray gun? I have seen some for $400 but do I really need that to paint my car?

2. What kind of paint should I use? I'm looking for a basecoat/clearcoat system that will stand to daily driving.

3. How much should I expect to pay for primer, color, and clear. I'm thinking of painting the car a dark blue.

4. What else should I expect to pay for besides an aircompressor and spray gun for the actuall mixing/spraying process?

thanks

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Big James 4XL · Jul 20, 2001

Oh boy, get your pocket book ready! First of all a $400 paint gun is the only way to go, or you could do like me, buy a $150 gun that worked great for primer but failed miserably for topcoating, had to buy the $400 gun anyway. I will be selling it though after I finish the job.

What kind of paint? Urethane for sure, single stage is fine for solid colors or base coat/clear coat for metallics.

How much for primer/paint/etc.? I lost track at around $600 using an etching primer/primer surfacer/sealer/single stage urethane.

What else? A good DA sander, lots of various grit sandpaper, filler, glazing putty, masking materials, mixing pots, finish sanding and buffing material, etc.

This is worse case since I had to strip to bare metal and start from there.

This is not easy work, and for me it seems like its been the struggle of my life. I have sanded and filled and sanded and filled and primed and sanded and primed and sealed and sanded and painted and finally got a few parts shinny cranberry red.

I'm nearing the end of this endeavor now and the fruits of my labor are beginning to show. If things keep going well I will be through soon, but now that I have seen some completed parts the drudgery doesn't seem so bad now! I'm looking forward to finishing my project and can't help but grin at what has been done so far.

But!!! I have told my friends that if I ever start making any noise about painting another car they are to promptly remind me of the dust, the mess in my shop, the aching muscles from sanding and sanding and sanding and, also, most importantly they are to kick me Square in the butt!!!

A great place for info, materials, tools etc. is www.autobodystore.com They have a great BBS with a large archive you can search that will help you greatly.

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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)
www.chevelles.com/showroom/workgoeson1.jpg

[This message has been edited by Big James 4XL (edited 07-20-2001).]

ledsled · Jul 21, 2001

Besides the fact that a person can stand back and say 'I did that', I don't know why someone wouldn't just do the bodywork and take it to Maaco. You'll save yourself thousands taking it there, especially if you don't have a gun and compressor already.

Just the learning curve is bad enough. Make sure you have a car to practise on. You have to learn how to get an even coat without getting too much on, causing runs. It costs hundreds just to get your garage set up right.

I don't want to rain on your parade, if you really want to do it, cool! I learned how to do it, I have the tools, but Never again for me!

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70 Impala Sport Coupe (350)
66 Chevelle (I wish, still looking)
http://www.geocities.com/ledsled_26m

starsstripes · Jul 21, 2001

i did my "70 Elcamino SS myself and spent over $1200 on primer, paint, sand paper, etc. i followed instructions from people here and on the cans and from the paint suppliers; came out better them i thought i could ever do. i went through 5 gallons of primer filler; left at least 3 on the floor; what a learning experience......it is worth it in the end if you take your time. now i understand why a paint job is so expensive.

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jim #899

68 SS396 CHEVELLE CONVERTIBLE
70 SS396 ELCAMINO

cars, guns & guitars.....& beer...
it doesn't get much better than that.

BPeterson · Jul 21, 2001

Well should I just finish the bodywork and send her to maaco?? and if so, should I primer it myself?? because I have some spots of bare metal that have been covered with some primer out of a can that I wanted to strip off and re-primer, or should I just give it to maaco with bare metal exposed?

70isfine · Jul 21, 2001

I wouldn't use Macco.Maybe find a regular shop that would be willing to shoot it.May cost more,but from what i have seen Macco sucks. cheap paint that looks like crap in a year and they dont sand and buff anything!dirt,bugs,runs,whatever they spray is what you get.

normie · Jul 22, 2001

I am doing it myself also.. I picked up a 6hp 33 gal compressor from sears for 270 bucks and 2 Professional quality spray guns for 330 bucks delivered through a refurb program (excellent quality) here www.sharpe1.com it's fun to learn and do it yourself.. and the guys here are great at answering your questions.. whatever you do Good Luck...

tblw68ss · Jul 23, 2001

Go with it!
Sharpe makes an inexpensive HVLP gun in their Cobalt line for about $150 get the 1.6mm fluid cap and you can shoot primer to clear with it fairly efficiently. Whichever gun you choose make sure your compressor will handle it. As for the paint, go with a urethane clear it's more durable. Stick with the same brands (starting out as a beginner) don't mix and match components. PPG, Dupont, BASF, ect. Each has a system that works. Your Jobber/Mixer can set you up with what you need. Plan on spending upwards of $800 for quality materials. Also an extra $50-75 for mixing supplies; mix cups, clean-up thinner, stir-sticks, strainers,ect. (the stuff us body-guys take for granted) and don't forget an water-separator for your compressor and an in-line for the gun. Don't skimp here, nothing more frustrating than h2o droplets in your fresh paint!
good luck and have fun with it, post any questions and we'll try to help.

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'68 SS-396 1/4 stroker "54" (soon)
'99 GMC 7.4 Vortech
'01 T-Cat 1404 Hooper 2X156"
"no replacement for displacement"
-2 Below Custom Automotive
Fbks, AK.

MalibuJerry350 · Jul 24, 2001

If you do decide to take it to Maaco, talk with the manager of your local franchise. Most will use YOUR paint and materials and just charge you for the labor. The one near me uses Sherwynn Williams(sp?), but if you decide to use PPG, for example, supply them with the whole system. If you're using Acrylic Enamel with a Urethane Hardener, supply them with enough to do the car, along with the proper reducer. Also, enough of the primer you were using. They paint about 12 to 14 cars a day, so, a couple of bucks in the manager's and painter's hands will help you get a decent job.

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MalibuJerry350
TC Member #1279
Original owner '70 Chevelle.
553,000+ miles on car.
Hey, if it's got wheels, DRIVE IT!
My Chevelle: http://hometown.aol.com/erie614/myhomepage/index.html

Thinking of doing it myself

BPeterson

Big James 4XL

ledsled

starsstripes

BPeterson

70isfine

normie

tblw68ss

MalibuJerry350

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