Looking for Tips When Painting
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: West Sacramento CA
Looking for Tips When Painting
I pretty much have no idea how to paint a car, but figured it would be much cheaper than paying someone else to do it. I'm looking for any tips you can supply for anything from who to buy the paint from and how much to anything i need to look out for while painting and afterward. i'm currently in the military and the auto hobby shop on base has a prep dock and paint booth and one of the guys said he would give me a quick run down on what to do when i brought my car in, but i'd like to have a little better idea before then. any help would be appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,161
Likes: 17
From: coffee
I'm in the same boat, although I'll just be doing bodywork and prep and will pay someone else to spray it.
I ran across this book:
How to Paint Your Car on a Budget
I'm thinking of buying it. Read the reviews and see what you think.
I ran across this book:
How to Paint Your Car on a Budget
I'm thinking of buying it. Read the reviews and see what you think.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Whitmore Lake MI
My kids bought this for me for either my birthday or fathers day one year and it is a great resource. It goes over everything from the proper tools, body work, and various depths of paint jobs.. (one day sand & squirt to a full blown show quality finish) I haven't painted my car yet, but I plan to use quite a bit of the info I've read in this book.
If you like, I can go through it tonight and post exactly what's covered so you know if it's what you're looking for. Unfortunately I don't have a scanner sorry....
http://www.amazon.com/How-Paint-Your.../dp/1932494227
Hope this helps
If you like, I can go through it tonight and post exactly what's covered so you know if it's what you're looking for. Unfortunately I don't have a scanner sorry....
http://www.amazon.com/How-Paint-Your.../dp/1932494227
Hope this helps
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
Get a corvette fever May 2008 magazine. They have articles on it that walk you through the first to last phases of painting. Pretty good information if you have no experience. Will get an idea of what you are in for. You might be able to get it on their website too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
Just went thru it the 1st time myself. This is a labor intensive venture to say the least. I started the hand sanding process last October since I didn't trust razor blade or chem stripper processes. I worked most weekends and finished sanding about March. I bought a relatively cheap set of HLVP guns from Eastwood. I had good luck with everything except the clear coat which ended up with IMO too much orange peal and a few runs. BTW constructing an adequate paint booth was an adventure in itself. Since it was my winter project, I didn't mind the hours. Total cost excluding my time and beer budget ended up about $1,200 for sand paper, paint, guns, replacing weather seals, etc. If you're the type of person that wants instant gratification then don't do it. Otherwise it makes a very good DIY project. Retrospect from me is that if there was a 2nd time then I'd do the prep and let a professional do the paint.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 547
Likes: 13
From: Carlstadt NJ
Books and DVD's are a good place to start for learning the trade, but, it takes practice, patients, and a little skill to do a good paint job right. I suggest that you read the books more than once, and then go the junkyard and get and old fender to practice on. This will show you if you got what it takes to do a good paint job. Mistake on your car can cost more to fix by a pro than the paint job itself.
Hope this Helps,
Danny
Hope this Helps,
Danny
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,687
Likes: 832
From: WI
I actually have a website I put together on paint and bodywork 'how-to' (20+ yrs of experience). Have a look at the paint section (0ther sections I never really finished). Hope it helps.
http://www.repairnation.com
BTW, don't bother emailing me at the site. I haven't been checking it lately. I need to remove the email link...
Mark G
http://www.repairnation.com
BTW, don't bother emailing me at the site. I haven't been checking it lately. I need to remove the email link...
Mark G
Last edited by Mark G; Apr 19, 2008 at 12:24 AM.
