Paint Prep Question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 674
Likes: 1
From: Daytona Beach Florida
Paint Prep Question
Is it possible to use the vette as a daily driver while prepping it for paint?
Like sanding? or as much prepping I could do using it as a DD.
How long would it take in work hours to properly prep a c4 for a decent paint job?
Like sanding? or as much prepping I could do using it as a DD.
How long would it take in work hours to properly prep a c4 for a decent paint job?
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
Tough question, almost impossible to answer. Talk to your painter, what kind of finish does he want? I gave my painter a 600 wet finish which he immediately roughed to 220. Exit two weeks of work. Can you drive it? Yes but it will look like crap. Again,talk to your painter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,309
Likes: 36
From: DSM IA & Lake of the Ozarks
Depends on the quality of the paint job.
If you were just going to scuff an already decent paint job and reshoot - yea you prolly could drive it right up until the day before you clean, mask, tack and spray it for a quick 10 footer type job.
When I paint I take off all the weatherstrip and as much of everything else as I can. I mask a lot less and just remove more. It makes for a much better job. And it also takes a lot more time and disables the car from being driven. Also, get the car as clean as you can get it. Driving it makes it dirty, kicks up oil from the road onto the rocker panels.
Painting a car is 95% prep. The best paint and painter in the world can't overcome an average prep job. In fact, paint makes the imperfections left over from a bad prep job stand out like a cockroach on a wedding cake.
If you were just going to scuff an already decent paint job and reshoot - yea you prolly could drive it right up until the day before you clean, mask, tack and spray it for a quick 10 footer type job.
When I paint I take off all the weatherstrip and as much of everything else as I can. I mask a lot less and just remove more. It makes for a much better job. And it also takes a lot more time and disables the car from being driven. Also, get the car as clean as you can get it. Driving it makes it dirty, kicks up oil from the road onto the rocker panels.
Painting a car is 95% prep. The best paint and painter in the world can't overcome an average prep job. In fact, paint makes the imperfections left over from a bad prep job stand out like a cockroach on a wedding cake.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 674
Likes: 1
From: Daytona Beach Florida
Originally Posted by Biggus Blockus
Depends on the quality of the paint job.
If you were just going to scuff an already decent paint job and reshoot - yea you prolly could drive it right up until the day before you clean, mask, tack and spray it for a quick 10 footer type job.
When I paint I take off all the weatherstrip and as much of everything else as I can. I mask a lot less and just remove more. It makes for a much better job. And it also takes a lot more time and disables the car from being driven. Also, get the car as clean as you can get it. Driving it makes it dirty, kicks up oil from the road onto the rocker panels.
Painting a car is 95% prep. The best paint and painter in the world can't overcome an average prep job. In fact, paint makes the imperfections left over from a bad prep job stand out like a cockroach on a wedding cake.
If you were just going to scuff an already decent paint job and reshoot - yea you prolly could drive it right up until the day before you clean, mask, tack and spray it for a quick 10 footer type job.
When I paint I take off all the weatherstrip and as much of everything else as I can. I mask a lot less and just remove more. It makes for a much better job. And it also takes a lot more time and disables the car from being driven. Also, get the car as clean as you can get it. Driving it makes it dirty, kicks up oil from the road onto the rocker panels.
Painting a car is 95% prep. The best paint and painter in the world can't overcome an average prep job. In fact, paint makes the imperfections left over from a bad prep job stand out like a cockroach on a wedding cake.
I may have to pick up another form of transportation when I prep it for paint. (perfect excuse to get a motorcycle, right?) Like others have said, I think I will prep it, mask it, and have it arrive to the paint shop on a trailer, ready to be shot.
I don't want another bad paint job.
The paint job just moved way down on the list.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Depends on the condition of the paint as it sits on your car right now.
Every chip and pockmark, every deep scratch will take additional time.
I suppose you could drive it while you sanded, but every new stone chip will add more time...and you'd have to degrease it then, before you shot the first coat. You'll be much happier with the results if you sequester the car while you prep and paint. Then, add another two weeks while the paint cures enough to stand up to the rigours of use.
There's a reason good paint jobs cost more than $129.95...
Edit: Looks like I should have read Biggus' post more closely...he said it all.
Larry
code5coupe
Every chip and pockmark, every deep scratch will take additional time.
I suppose you could drive it while you sanded, but every new stone chip will add more time...and you'd have to degrease it then, before you shot the first coat. You'll be much happier with the results if you sequester the car while you prep and paint. Then, add another two weeks while the paint cures enough to stand up to the rigours of use.
There's a reason good paint jobs cost more than $129.95...
Edit: Looks like I should have read Biggus' post more closely...he said it all.
Larry
code5coupe
Last edited by rocco16; Jun 13, 2006 at 03:09 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by Biggus Blockus
Painting a car is 95% prep.
Prepping isn't even that difficult. It just takes so damn long to get it right... I found that out when I prepped my '85 for painting.
Last edited by mikey whipreck; Jun 13, 2006 at 03:27 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Originally Posted by Biggus Blockus
Depends on the quality of the paint job.
If you were just going to scuff an already decent paint job and reshoot - yea you prolly could drive it right up until the day before you clean, mask, tack and spray it for a quick 10 footer type job.
When I paint I take off all the weatherstrip and as much of everything else as I can. I mask a lot less and just remove more. It makes for a much better job. And it also takes a lot more time and disables the car from being driven. Also, get the car as clean as you can get it. Driving it makes it dirty, kicks up oil from the road onto the rocker panels.
Painting a car is 95% prep. The best paint and painter in the world can't overcome an average prep job. In fact, paint makes the imperfections left over from a bad prep job stand out like a cockroach on a wedding cake.
If you were just going to scuff an already decent paint job and reshoot - yea you prolly could drive it right up until the day before you clean, mask, tack and spray it for a quick 10 footer type job.
When I paint I take off all the weatherstrip and as much of everything else as I can. I mask a lot less and just remove more. It makes for a much better job. And it also takes a lot more time and disables the car from being driven. Also, get the car as clean as you can get it. Driving it makes it dirty, kicks up oil from the road onto the rocker panels.
Painting a car is 95% prep. The best paint and painter in the world can't overcome an average prep job. In fact, paint makes the imperfections left over from a bad prep job stand out like a cockroach on a wedding cake.
After a car is ready for paint it should be painted right away.
The average prep time for a Corvette should be around 24 to 35 hours.
With problem paint it can double real quick.
Booth time about 6-8 hrs, wet sand and polish, about 10-15 hrs.
Detail, another 6-8 hrs.
Materails:
$500-$1000 depending on color and coatings choices.
25 to 35 hours at 65.00 an hour $1,625+.
Add materials, low end $600.00 $2,225.00
Booth time $520.00
Wet sand $650.00
Detail $520.00
Assembly if the car is taken apart will add more.
So the average paint job will be around $3,915.00+
If you do the paint ready prep yourself which is very unlikely that a painter will like your prep work, you can save on the average $1,000.
I say $1000. cuz any good painter will have to go over whatever you do.
So your looking at around $3,000 for a paint job.
If you can all the work done for $2,500 your doing good.
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true-izum 
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 366
Likes: 1
From: Esparto ca
If you want a professional looking job, leave the prep and paint to the professional. No good shop is going to take your preped car and paint it with any kind of guarantee. If you just want an ok paint job take it to the local $299.00 shop. We had a labor rate sign that read, Labor $60./hr, If you watch-$65./hr, if you worked on it first $70./hr.
