Thread: I wanna paint my car.but I've never done it

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How could anyone resist trying to paint this car, it's begging for it.



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Originally Posted by like2gofast

How could anyone resist trying to paint this car, it's begging for it.



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Now that I've seen it, I suggest starting off with an aircraft safe stripper (keep this away from any and all plastic parts and trim), next start off by sanding the body with 180 grit automotive sandpaper, work your way up to 220 grit sandpaper to remove the scratches the 180 grit leaves. Top that off with 320 grit automotive sandpaper (buy yourself a top quality 6 inch DA) to remove all of the scratches the 220 grit leaves....Next, get yourself a good quality epoxy primer and place a full coat or two on the car. After that you can do whatever minor body work needs to be done (fill in dings and such), sand it all down with 400 grit paper (re-prime any bare body filler first), then and only then can you attempt to paint the car yourself. I figure just in materials and tools alone you'll run in the $400-$500 range by the time you are done and ready for paint.........Of course you could take it to a shop like mine and have the whole thing done for you for around $600


Bill S.

It's not for everyone! I have had a lot of customers say "I painted a car once.....and I'll never do it again". But, you won't know if you'll find it rewarding, unless you try. :-)

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

It's not for everyone! I have had a lot of customers say "I painted a car once.....and I'll never do it again". But, you won't know if you'll find it rewarding, unless you try. :-)

To add to that, if we have a customer come in to "fix his mistakes", it cost more as we have to remove everything he(she) laid on the car and start from scratch....No joke!



Bill S.

I totally understand! :-( You can't paint over questionable, or unstable paint.

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

I totally understand! :-( You can't paint over questionable, or unstable paint.

But at times I consider my painter (no, not me) unstable and questionable, is that the same thing

You can't paint over questionable, or unstable paint.

Brings to memory when I painted my Harley a long time back with Imron urathane. It actually looked real good for a few years. Then one day at the carwash I hit it with the pressure washer and the top coat blew off the tank in a large sheet leaving the primer exposed.

It was either the wrong primer, or inadequate prep. I don't think I sanded the primer properly before the top coat. And I had rattle canned the primer coat.

That doesn't mean I wouldn't try again, but I will be more careful and follow the advice of the pros on this site.

Good luck with your project -

For me it was Harley saddlebags. One day at the carwash, the clear blew off! I had accidentally skipped a step, and told the owner it could happen...just bring it back if it does. He was understanding, and knew I would stand behind it, since I had done other jobs for him. (No, they did not fail) :-)

Today I am very careful, and guarantee my work for as long as they own it.....no time limit.

I don't think all of you understand what kind of influances you are. The more I read the more confidant I get, but look I paid $500.00 for the car and it's not like it's a classic or anything for pete's sake it's and '86. Although I will gather as much info as I can and put all of my expertice Iv'e learned hear and it WILL turn out great! It's a whole new ball game now I have to make you guys tell me I did a good job. And I will make you say it. I'm not gonna go out there tommarrow( I can't spell that word) and start slingin' paint chips or maybe not for a week cause when I do I'll try my damndest to have everything I need to do it right. Hell man this is the school.

I upholstered my boat with no help at all but it took me like three months after I bought a 1953 Morse sewing machine (yes I got jacked with a lot)for $50.00 @the swap meet before I had enough information to give me the confidence to even buy the material, but tell me what you think? It's not too bad considering I didn't have hands on folks like Y'all to help me.(OK fine I'm redneck as hell) and I have a 7th grade education, but that don't mean I'm dumber than a box of hammer handles,Right? Right!
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I will get that car painted, Oh I'm sorry WE will get that car painted all of us and it's gonna shine like a diamond in a goats ass, cause you got Ricky Lee on the job son.

I shouldv'e been an motivational speaker. No but seriously It's gonna be good.

Iv'e got a good sander and I'm going tomarrow to buy a compresser (high volume) and all the sand paper I need per mustangs advice. By-the -way I liked the extremely precise directions, I need that.


So what do I do about the plastic? I can buy an insert from Ecklers for $70.00 it's only cracked right by the head light. The wole front is 350.00. If I can fix it should I take it off for prep?
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I can't get no response on that 383 I'm building for this speed casket. That tech inspector nows his s*** but he's always busy. I just need to know what kind of 350 block I have, I have searched everywhere for those specs. I posted the numbers here but no results.

I didn't read the thread, so my apologies if I step on toes, or say anything which has already been said.

Having said THAT... my .02 :

Find someone who is willing to let you 'help'. Helping will probably cost you more in the long run, but will be cheaper than trying it yourself, then having it re-done.

I like that idea. Some real hands on, now that's the school right there. Thanks I'll deffinately look around.Don't appolagize for having good ideas. That's a great Idea.I can leave when ever I want or need to, I can mostley hide and watch or what ever. And these are the guys that know just like these guys here. And I guarantee you I can talk 'em into it for free. Accually I know just the place, damn man, thanks. I'll have to say it again That's a great Idea.

Those that can't do it, teach it. Those that can't teach it are inspectors. Old Calif. construction joke. I hope that tech inspector guy doesn't take offence.

Originally Posted by firebird77clone

I didn't read the thread, so my apologies if I step on toes, or say anything which has already been said.

Having said THAT... my .02 :

Find someone who is willing to let you 'help'. Helping will probably cost you more in the long run, but will be cheaper than trying it yourself, then having it re-done.

good deal. You mentioned that you had already purchased materials, that's good. It'll sweeten the deal for the shop owner.

I was working on my truck in a guys' shop, and he kept using my supplies, was really ticking me off, cause' I wouldn't have anything to work with when I got in. Turns out the problem was an easy one to solve... I just bought extra supplies for the shop.

Ya gotta 'butter your bread'

I accually know some folks that have a high end paint shop and they asked me a few years ago if I wanted to learn how to paint and I declined as I was busier than a set of jumper cables at a mexican wedding at the time.

Originally Posted by firebird77clone

good deal. You mentioned that you had already purchased materials, that's good. It'll sweeten the deal for the shop owner.

I was working on my truck in a guys' shop, and he kept using my supplies, was really ticking me off, cause' I wouldn't have anything to work with when I got in. Turns out the problem was an easy one to solve... I just bought extra supplies for the shop.

Ya gotta 'butter your bread'