So Im planning on painting my car myself with a 2 stage paint. Now Im new to this as this is my first car every fully painting. The door jambs of the car need to also be painted and Ive heard many ways of doing to but wondered what would be the easiest way to paint them and in what order. Exterior first, base and clear, then jambs or vise versa? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

It is hard to tell by what you wrote if you have ever painted before. I know it is your FIRST CAR...but that does not mean you have shot many things before this.....so...which is it. Because it makes a difference.....BIG TIME makes a DIFFERENCE.

What color??? (makes a difference)
What year??? (makes a difference)
What is your skill level from 1 to 10? 1 meaning you do not know anything....and 10...obviously...you have been doing it for years and years.

I am here to help...but I need to know 'things' so I can better advise you.

AND...it also depends on how good you want it when it is finished will dictate on the process in painting it.

DUB

 

So this is the first time I have ever painted a car from start to finish. I have worked with bondo and primer before and sprayed smaller panels with 1 stage paint but never a full car. Im familiar with the process and equipment but never on this scale.
I would like to spray the car with either a metallic or dark blue base color.
The car is a 1974 corvette.
I would say my skill level is a 2, Im familiar with the equipment but have not attempted anything on this scale.
I would like it to be as good as i my skills can allow. Im not looking for a show car, im 17 and this is my first muscle car so it is a learning experience and the better is comes out the prouder I will be of it.

Thanks for your help, I appreciate it.

 

I did a metal flared custom painted camaro when I was 16/17 so don't get intimidated, take your time and you can get really great results, and I have seen cars painted in a back yard win shows so.
Door jambs are not fun, better with the doors off but some people dont wannt do it that way,

Listen to What Dub tells you and again, plan it out and take your time...

 

Here's what mine looked like in the booth. However, we did a solid color on it. Metallics may require doors on for the final base coat.

 

I am curious as to your response DUB. Mostly because I often feel like I want to attempt the same as the OP. There are some things that (however painful it can be) should be left to someone who has the know how, proper equipment, etc. The pain is usually in the wallet but there is that part of me and perhaps of the OP that wants to feel like they "did it".
I'm hoping to get by your place sometime soon. It is the place that has the mirrored windows?

 

Maybe Dub could direct us to some good threads in the Paint and Body Forum (so he won't have to type his fingers down to nubs!)

(mtnance..........great avatar......the sight of the Vets there have me thinking the same as that jacket-patch says when I see their disabilities.)

 

True that (numbing fingers). I think my problem is the fear of the unknown and the expense of fixing a dumb*** mistake that if I had listened to someone who knows, would have in the long run, saved money with better results.

The avatar? I admit I stole the photo from somewhere. Kinda caught my eye. I'm a vet. My family is filled with vets. The patch reminded me of visits to the VA when my grandfather was dying. Doesn't take long to be put into your place. I could go on, but that's another forum.

Getting back to the painting....I have things I can practice on but I am not sure I can devote the time required to have a descent looking paint job. A day or two here and there isn't enough devoted time.

 

yes

dub

 

GOOD ...so you know how to do it.

Have you shot metallics before???

Thanks...it makes a difference due to having urethane (or fiberglass) bumpers on it. This can effect on how the job comes out due to how they are bolted to the body
.
NOT a problem...and thank you for your honesty.

This is where I have a SERIOUS problem. Legally a minor...wanting to preform hazardous work.

I have to look into this further so I do not get myself in trouble.

http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PD...reer/WB/WP.pdf

PART C page 10.

DUB

 

No I have only shot flat colors.

Ya i wondered about that, should the car be painted with bumpers on or off and if on what should I do about the seam where the bumper meets the body in both the front and rear and where the split bumper comes together in the rear? just paint over them or will the possibility of flexing cause the clear coat to crack?

Is is still an issue even just that your giving me advice?

Thanks
GarrettM

 

I will write this for all of those who choose to do paint and body work.

You can do it if YOU want to. If you plan on doing it yourself...you better forget about 'saving money'...and FOCUS more on getting it RIGHT. BECAUSE there is NO trophy for doing a paint job yourself the cheapest. Throw a budget out the window...because it will cause for you to make decisions on 'where to cut corners'. If you want to find extra money for your paint job...drink water when you go out to eat dinner.

I have made so many mistakes that has cost me more than you all might believe. So thinking that people can advise and suggest 'things' to you are going to make them all go away.....DREAM ON...it isn't going to happen. What this advise and suggestions will do is take the probability of inevitable failure to be lessened greatly.

AS for what to read....all I can say is post your question or search your heart out in the 'paint and body section'. I comment on so much...I would not know where to direct anyone...due to specifics must be know so the advice/suggestions have merit.

DUB

 

Kinda is...I need to look into it more. An attorney (more than likely your parents attorney) would find some way to hold me liable if you got seriously hurt and I offered advice to a minor performing a hazardous task. So far...it has been just questions and basic answers.....nothing specific.

I need to look into this issue more tomorrow.

It is not that I do not want to help/advise...it's the laws that PROTECT you...due to still being a minor. RESPECT me for respecting these laws.

I have WAY too much to loose.

DUB

 

"I would like it to be as good as i my skills can allow."

To GarrettM: Valid points have been made. Sounds like you have the interest. I have no idea if offered in your area, but you might look into taking some classes at a community college, etc. Some might not like that "idea" but it's a starting point to maybe (once legal age) to be hired as an apprentice and developing your skills further.

 

DUB I completely understand your position and I have no issue with it. Feel free to let me know if you can advise me further.

Mtnance- I have actually worked at a bod shop for a short time just helping a friend of my fathers but I mostly stuck to just pulling dents and bondo work. Im hoping with this project I can take a step toward more paint and finishing work. I would not be surprised is I did end up working at a body shop again in the future.

Thanks to both of you,
GarrettM

 

Keep us posted. Good shops are getting harder to find. Who knows, you might find your passion with it.

 

If YOU do the paint work on your car, and it turns out decent, your car will become a good 'selling point' if you want to get a job at a body shop.

I say, Go for it! (using all the tips and advice you can garner from the Forum)

 

Hi GM,
I'm a firm believer in having someone with lot's of experience supervise the preparation (95% of the work in a paint job) and then have that person spray the paint.
When lacquer was being used folks with little or no experience could end up with terrific paint jobs because you could just continue sanding and respraying until you got the results you wanted. The time was free and the materials not expensive at that point. Lacquer is so forgiving cars were even painted in people's backyards.
But now a painter needs to have the equipment, the place to do it, be somewhat of a chemist, and have some experience (I believe) to get satisfactory results. Plus the cost of good materials is so high now that you really want to just do it once.
I did quite a bit of the work on my car but never even considered spraying it myself. I made that decision based on my previous experience of painting about a half-dozen cars. This one I wanted right the first time and I didn't want any ugly surprises as the years went by.
So, think carefully about your plan.
Regards,
Alan

 

GarrettM,

I honestly did not have a chance to even think today. SUPER busy....I will make my call tomorrow.

If you are interested in this as a profession. I would HIGHLY advise taking classes at a community college so you can get practice. BUT...depending on the type of work you want to give to people. THAT will be ENTIRELY up to you. Some people do CRAP work...while others do SHOW paint jobs. So if you take classes...often times they are being taught for the PRODUCTION industry of paint and body work. AND ...YES...it makes as difference...BECAUSE if you get into bad habits....it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to change. The guys I have trained and are out on their own now were taught it the RIGHT way.....and they can 'pull back' on some procedures for speed because they knew how to do it RIGHT...and still do production work REALLY WELL....because they knew what was RIGHT from the beginning.

And for all of those out there thinking about doing your own car. YOU CAN DO IT. BUT....YOU have to WANT to do it. If you do not have the DEDICATION...do not even start. And one more 'tip'. For those who are thinking of doing their own car....STOP...and DO NOT look at the car as a WHOLE. FOCUS on the area that you plan on working on and FORGET all about the other areas that need work. If you allow the other areas that still need repair to cloud up your mind...you will loose motivation and FOCUS and get no where fast. Jumping form one unfinished project to another will wear you down FAST. It is all about WINNING the small battles...one at a time....and in doing so....you will finish the car and win the war.

DUB

 

I have painted s few cars over the years , single stage and base / clear , DUB is 110% correct when he says you need dedication.....its a time consuming process with a 1001 details. good enough is NOT good enough , every thing you do has to be as good as you can possibly do it ,every detail is important .
I can also say its a very rewarding thing when the job is finished and its 100% your time and effort that did it.