Paint job only, body work done. Price?

[foxtrot]

Ok so I was meant to be painting my car very very shortly.. but the feller across the street has been painting all his life for a living (HOUSES THOUGH NOT CARS) and he's gone and told my parents

"Oh it's NOT as easy as you THINK, You have to do this and that and this and use a special spray gune etc etc"

mean while im thinking.. uhh the nice guys on fordforums have already given me heaps of advice and I'm sure I'll do an Ok job.

well you probably get it by now... they won't let me do it so im going to HAVE to pay someone to do it.. the woman across the roads boyfriend used to own a panelbeating shop. Im meant to ring him and ask about it and if he can't do it i'm meant to ring some other guy they recommended... out:

my girlfriend just sent me a sms saying "call robs restore and ask him"

well before I call ANYONE can you's tell me what im probably looking at for cost?

Alll body work is done (Not perfect.. but i was happy with it for my first time)

Tiny bit more clear to sand back.. I think they might have to strip the roof right back down to metal because I have filled out crows feet with putty spray and I was told my new paint may sink into it.. dont want that

so how much do you think im looking at for labour?.. I already have the primer, thinners, paint and clear so its just the labour.

[EA2BA]

if the panel beater accross the road wont spray it, at least see if he can come give an honest opinion on what you have done, and dont get defensive but listen to what he says

[foxtrot]

are you assuming I did a crap job lol (joke)

I know your meant to use a big block for sanding to cover more area and use paint to find high and low points etc but it seriously feels good enough.. if not perfect by the time you prime it etc

I'll take your advice though and ask .. hopefully he is there this afternoon (she moved out a bit ago and they're hardly ever there)

Or maybe I should just call this Robs restore feller... I just don't know what to expect for cost though... and I'd say he can fix any bits on the body that i done a bad job on

[EA2BA]

not saying you did a bad job, but all input is always good.

i suggest grab the yellow pages and ring a few places, you may not intend on going to them, but will give you a good idea of price.

[foxtrot]

Originally Posted by EA2BA

not saying you did a bad job, but all input is always good.

i suggest grab the yellow pages and ring a few places, you may not intend on going to them, but will give you a good idea of price.

Cheers I might call around now :

[GreenMachine]

I have four magic words for you:

Australian

Export

Rattle

Cans

[foxtrot]

Dude this is an EA Ghia we are talking about
If i wanted to paint a VN or something then $2 spray paint may well be the way to go

[Feathers]

It really isn't as easy as you would think. Especially if you're using a metallic colour, any imperfections in the panel will be shown up.
My father has been spraying cars, trucks and buses for years, and he still makes mistakes. (Sometimes meaning he has to rub it all back and start again.)

I'd be more inclined to get someone who knows what they're doing to paint it, just to save the stuffing around.
If you want to learn how to do it, go ahead, but practice on something else first.

I've had a go at it, using old panels and doors we took off the car I'm doing up, and it wasn't easy.

[xy351]

it aint as easy as just sprayin some color on! alot of effort and knowledge goes onto spray painting! trust me... ive worked at one! if you have never sprayed before chances are... even if you do a little practice first... it wont tur out very nice! EA ghia... it deserves to look nice! ring around and look at some prices! you'l thank yourself fo it! goodluck!

[XA Coupsta]

I also think it is going to be hard to get someone willing to take your bodywork, your paint and materials - and he shoots the gun to put the colour on.

So what happens if his job is crap and you want to take it up with him?

He is going to then blame your bodywork.

I reckon if you have come this far - go all the way man. Hire your own air compressor/gun set up and give it a crack.

[Sourbastard]

Do it yourself. If you screw it up, so what, its paint. Sand it back, apply some filler, do it again. Screwed up again? Sand it back, do it again. Its not easy, but it is cheaper.

[Feathers]

The more times you screw it up, the more expensive it's going to get.

[Sourbastard]

Originally Posted by Feathers

The more times you screw it up, the more expensive it's going to get.

Even with alot of screw ups, 500 bucks worth of acrylic and paint, is a whole lot less then the thousands wanted for a pro to paint your car inside and out.

[foxtrot]

Well im almost positive that all my bodywork is near perfect.. im sure after its had 2 layers of primer all will be good.. if not thats when I figured I can do any fixing.. before i apply the paint..

now i'm not sure whether to paint it myself or get someone else to do it.. its a 50/50 vote lol

[Blue Oval Mopar Man]

There is only one way to learn and that is to do it ! Are you using acrylic paints or 2 pac ? The good thing about acrylic is its very easy to repair stuff ups ! 2 pac is a lot harder but it can be done! Ask a few spray painters for tips and if possible if you have a mate who knows how to , get him to be there while you do it to direct you ! Amazing way to learn things !

[ltd]

Whatever you do try and be patient. If you paint it yourself maintain the same distance between the gun tip and the panel (ie move from side to side, don't let you arm rotate in a semi circular position) and this will ensure a nice even coverage with no runs. Also, don't try and put big thick coats on at once, this is a sure way to mess it up particularly when the paint is too thick to cure properly - best way is follow the instructions on thinning, recoating etc that come with the paint. Finally, make sure you get a pressure regulator on the feed air before the gun before spray painting, as too much pressure will make the paint harden before it hits the surface, and you'll end up not with orange peel but 60 grit sandpaper peel. Practice spray painting a sheet of metal or one panel that is easily rubbed back before you do the whole car, You'll find it easier to gain knowledge of your equipments tendencies once you have done a sample. If you do it right, there will be very minimal sanding after you paint before you machine polish. If you have to sand out alot before you polish you will end up having a glass finish that looks totally crap.

[foxtrot]

I thought after the paint drys you go straight onto putting the Clear coat on? Or do you sand first

I was actually told i have to "crosshatch" (like when you bore a head lol)

I have to horizontal streaks first coat
then vertical
then diagonal
then diagonal but the opposite way
then horizontal again

Thats what KB auto guy told me anyway

[apolloxbgt]

I repair and spray cars (I'm a tradesman panelbeater),and if you came to me with it half done,with your own materiels I'd send you home with it.Why?Because I like to use the products that I know and trust,and if something is wrong with what you've done,when someone turns around and says "who painted the car" and you turn around and say "joe blow from up the road",that reflects on me and the quality of my work.I've done similer yobs to this,but I charge by the hour to sort out the repairs (primer fills sweet F*** all) untill I'm happy with them and I only use the materiels that I like (not neccicerily the most expensive).Which way to go?If you want it to look decent,pay someone to do it properly.

[apolloxbgt]

Originally Posted by ltd

you will end up having a glass finish that looks totally crap.

: If you rub the whole car flat and buff it properly it looks awsome.

[foxtrot]

Yeah a glass finish Is generally wanted!!! I didnt get that either apolloxbgt.. anyyway

It's all Motospray products and the expensive stuff (as in the more expensive primer, the more expensive thinner) I know the primer won't fill in ИИИИ all but surely it will fill in TINY TINY pinhole looking bits that I couldn't be bothered re-bogging .. waiting to dry.. and sanding back again.. because most likely I'd have more minor imperfections

I could take photo's of what i've done if you like and you guys might be able to tell me what you think? but like I said the roof I should probably sand right back to metal because i filled in crows feet in the old pain with a ИИИИ load of acrylic spray putty/ primer also the small rock chips in the bonnet I used spray putty

[brenx]

Do it yourself. The worst thing that can happen is you may need to redo it in 12mths. Just make sure you prep it right. xbcoupe302's paintwork is a home garage job. My own is the same.

Best part about doing it yourself is learning how to do it better next time ;)

[TURBOTAXI]

I am a backyard DIY specialist and I have sprayed boats, cars, motorbikes and trailers.
Just do it, its good for the soul, to the person who said be patient, thats probably the best advice you can get.
You might want to do panel at a time - thats how I started.
Its not rocket science, there is heaps of info out there, just do a search.

[foxtrot]

Would you still tell me to do it if you knew I had to hang tarps around and turn my yard into a mini spray booth because theres no shed lol

I still want to do it though..

[brenx]

I've sprayed in open air (driveway) before. Just means you can't screw around. You have to get it all done while the suns out.

[I bleed ford]

doing it yourself is well worth the effort. It does seem a daunting task and although it is hard to paint like a pro, it isn't that hard to do a reasonable job yourself. practice makes perfect!

[Feathers]

Originally Posted by foxtrot

Would you still tell me to do it if you knew I had to hang tarps around and turn my yard into a mini spray booth because theres no shed lol

I still want to do it though..

You might want to also check with your neighbours (assuming you have any) to make sure they don't mind. I quite like the smell of the acrylic, but they might want to keep their windows closed.

[EBFalcs]

use enamel if your doing it yourself, because it's easier to use

[brenx]

I would do it on a weekday. As most work during the day. So it's a perfect time not to annoy the neighbours. Although I was out painting the XB @ 2-3am when I was doing the XB not so long ago.

[apolloxbgt]

Originally Posted by EBFalcs

use enamel if your doing it yourself, because it's easier to use

If you use enamel you may as well take the car to the tip now,do not pass go do not collect $200.
If you use enamel you cant polish it or buff it (and it stays shiny for a fortnight if your lucky)you cant blend it if you have to redo anthing later on and best of all if you (or some other poor barsted) ever decide that you would like you car to look like it's not an ex cab and use proper paint,you have to paintstrip the whole car as you can't paint anything else over it.:

Sorry for the long post,but enamel is my pet hate.:gren:

[apolloxbgt]

Originally Posted by brenx

I've sprayed in open air (driveway) before. Just means you can't screw around. You have to get it all done while the suns out.

Gods oven (tm). :