car repaint

[olps]

I'm curious if anyone has had experience painting their own car? I've been thinking of having my car repainted (nothing fancy by any stretch of the imagination) as the paint is fading to various degrees in various areas, and there is some rust. I was think of painting it myself, is this doable? Otherwise, I was thinking of sanding off the paint and grinding out the rust (and filling anything that's needed) and then taking it to be painted- would this cut down on some costs? Thanks!

[Chunk-O-Funk]

I wouldn't recommend painting it yourself. Not unless you happen to have the right equipment, that is.

It's not all that uncommon to do the body work yourself and bring it to a place like this:
http://www.maaco.com/

At one time they used to have specials for something like $299.00. It was a low level paint job where they would simply mask off anything they want didn't want to get paint on, and then spray away. Only the necessary prep work was done and this did not include things like painting the inside of the door jams, but, whata ya want for $299.00.

Anyway, if you want polish up a turd it's a good way to go.

[hbarcat]

I've painted a few of my own cars and most of the cost is in the labor. If you do most or all of the work yourself, it should be pretty affordable.

However, the work requires some experience and if you haven't done it before it's pretty likely it will look like crap when it's done. I had the help of an expert when I did my first car and if I hadn't I certainly would have effed it up.

There are several steps

1) strip old paint
2) fill body imperfections
3) prepare surface for priming
4) apply primer
5) prepare surface for painting
6) apply color coat
7) sand and polish paint

This is an oversimplification and each of the steps are pretty involved. For example, when applying paint you will be applying multiple coats. You may want to do a clear on top of the color and that adds to the complexity. Remember that all this requires you to have access to the proper equipment (spray gun, high capacity compressor, tools, etc..) and also have a suitable place to do the project.

[olps]

Well, then it looks like I may try to do most, if not all, of the prep work myself, and just have them paint it. I should start calling around for quotes then.

[hbarcat]

Originally Posted by olps

Well, then it looks like I may try to do most, if not all, of the prep work myself, and just have them paint it. I should start calling around for quotes then.

That's what a lot of people do. I'd recommend getting an experienced friend to help with the work, though.

[hbarcat]

http://www.carcraft.com/howto/116_06...eparation.html

[Ericman197]

Painting a car is totally doable if you're willing to put a lot of time into it. Here are three methods:

1. Do what the other guys said

2. Roll your car: http://rollyourcar.com/default.aspx

3. Rattle can with rustoleum

What method you should choose depends on how much of an investment in time, money, and equipment you're willing to make. I would have no problem rolling or rattle can spraying a $500 beater, but if your car is worth more then you might want to do the MAACO thing. Not that you won't get good results with the other methods, but flat black isn't for everyone, and rolling your car is a lot more work than it looks.

[aurian4parker]

I wouldn't take your car to maaco

[hbarcat]

Do not paint your car with anything other than the proper equipment. That means no spray cans, no rollers and definitely NO brushes. People understand if you're stuck driving a beater, but a beater that's been repainted by hand will get you laughed at.

Just my opinion.




Edit: Just so you know, automotive paint is extremely toxic to breathe and inhaling even small amounts of it will make you sick and can kill you in only a few minutes. If you want to do the paiting yourself, it's vital to get a properly fitted respirator and know how to safely use it.

[peterbright]

Rollers...I had never heard of that.

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Originally Posted by aurian4parker

I wouldn't take your car to maaco

I don't know about that. IME it's hit or miss on their cheepy paint jobs. Depends if they have an experienced guy do it or not. I wouldn't have them spray a 61 Vette, but if I had an old beater that could use a paint job it's worth the risk of a little orange peel paint job.

[roberthelpus]

I bought an old Dodge van from a friend that belonged to his father. It was actually rolled with latex house paint. His dad was a master carpenter but as far as mechanical stuff - not so much. It had some other interesting baling wire mods. $300 and it got me down the road for a year. I wore it's rattiness with pride.

Fine auto paint jobs are all about the hand rubbing and finishing, right? I'd say, go for it you might learn new skills and be ready for that killer bass paint job.

[mothmonsterman]

I painted my first car 1986 buick century.

Lets see
Colored the interrior with various shapies.

1/2 the hood and trunk was orange marking paint, some of it was yellow rustoleum, some of it was pink crayola (???) spray paint, and some of it was still the origional grey.

won me POS car of the year 3 years in a row in high school.


god i miss that car.


But yeah, make friends with a painter if you want it to look good.

[Mon Rominee]

I've seen quite a few less than stellar factory paint jobs, bording on harsh orange peel. If your choice is simply to keep the metal protected, you could do much worse than to have a maaco job.

I recall the old Earl Scheib ads where he'd paint any car for 100 bucks.

I you take due care with all the prep work you can get a fine paint job with rattle cans. Proper technique prevails for a flat coat with no drips but it's entirely doable. People have been doing commendable sray bomb jobs on guitars (reranch anyone???) for years and years, why not for an automobile you're just trying to get a consistent color on???

Keep shaking the can, keep proper distance away, and spray in a fanning motion and you're halfway there.

[Ericman197]

Originally Posted by hbarcat

Do not paint your car with anything other than the proper equipment. That means no spray cans, no rollers and definitely NO brushes. People understand if you're stuck driving a beater, but a beater that's been repainted by hand will get you laughed at.

Just my opinion.

Painting your car with Rustoleum, either with rattlecans or the roll method, will never rival a showcar or OEM finish. However, it can look pretty good:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...g?t=1213301964

That guy is 69chargeryeehaw on one of the mopar boards, and he does a lot of his own car painting. Not sure if I spelled the yeehaw part right though.

This is one of his beetles that he painted using traditional methods:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...g?t=1213302061

Actually, I believe it was a single layer of enamel, but he used a spraygun and all that.

And here's the rolled beetle:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...g?t=1213302109

Side by side:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...g?t=1213302127

The roll-painting method doesn't get quite the same shine as using a spraygun at home, which also doesn't get the same look as a professional paintjob ($$$). But on a budget, there's no way you're going to get a professional paintjob; that costs thousands. I wouldn't recommend a roll or rattlecan job on a car that's worth a lot of money, but if the paint is already wearing off, you can't do much worse. If it comes out terrible you can always sand it back down and start from scratch (that is, if you have the time).

[hbarcat]

The rattle can method works. If you have no access to genuine equipment, I guess it's better than nothing. I wouldn't inflict it on any car that was worth more than a few hundred bucks, though.

Just my opinion.

[Ripper]

i'd be careful of the rattle can method... theres a guy i go to school with that has done this to his past 2 cars and it looks like s***... but i suppose if you use high gloss (instead of what i take to be semi gloss) and spray it smoothly enough, it might work.

IMHO... the only way to get a real good paint job is to use a good spray gun and lots of patience with a sanding block... which now reminds me i have to get new buffing compound so i can finish wetsanding the clear on my truck

[Vic Winters]

Some cars look pretty sweet with flat colors.