| How to paint a car - Click HERE for Original Thread |
| Prudz_lude |
Ok guys, i know someone in summer made this thread but i searched through at least 90 different possible threads and none of them were the right one. Someone should either make a better search engine for this site, or the mods should start stickying relevant threads like every other forum. I don't know why this forum does not do that :dunno:
Anyway, I need your guys help. Whoever has ever painted a car, done body work, etc please post in this thread.
I have a 92 honda civic hatch with some bad rust on the rear quarters. I am not going to be doing the rust removal. Its going to be going to a shop to have have the rust completely cut out and new metal welded in.
Once i get my car back where do i begin? I don't want to do a half ass job. If it takes me over 50 hours of prep so be it. I want this paint job to look like its worth 10k.
Thank you in advance. |
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| newaccorddriver |
| tremclad is your friend. thin it out in a mixture of 1:1 with mineral spirits, and use a roller to roll it on. only downside is until youve got about 5 layers on it, itll look like shit. |
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| Prudz_lude |
| don't even start posting about the $50 dollar paint jobs lol. They are all over honda-tech.:lol: Still they do come out looking like a $2000 dollar paint job lol |
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| newaccorddriver |
quote:
Originally posted by Prudz_lude
don't even start posting about the $50 dollar paint jobs lol. They are all over honda-tech.:lol: Still they do come out looking like a $2000 dollar paint job lol
im gonna be doing it to my skyline next year, and i could really care less cause if your willing to put in the work, the results are well worth the price. that being said, how much is your time really worth. if its worth alot, then take it to maaco and get their shitty paint job, or get something better then maaco for alot cheaper. |
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| ehos |
quote:
Originally posted by newaccorddriver
im gonna be doing it to my skyline next year, and i could really care less cause if your willing to put in the work, the results are well worth the price. that being said, how much is your time really worth. if its worth alot, then take it to maaco and get their shitty paint job, or get something better then maaco for alot cheaper.
People propagate the same myths over and over.
How many cars have you painted? And is 'tremclad' an accepted way of painting a car?
How many cars have the painters at Maaco laid down?
That's right hundreds if not thousands. The paintjobs aren't 'shitty' they are cheap. They don't prep unless you pay for it (and people don't, otherwise why would they go there?).
The actual paint they lay down is as perfect as you can get it for what you are paying. $300? That barely covers the cost of materials (go ahead, price it out yourself). Basically they are spraying it for free (but they make money on volume). 
I can lay paint, but I've done it about 4 times. It's going to be mediocre until I get more experience. OR, I could do what I know I can do well (rust removal, body prep etc).
By the way OP, the rust removal on your Civic isn't going to be cheap, are you sure you want to do it? And to get a 10K paintjob, you need a) perfect prep b) perfect materials c) perfect painter.
If this is your first attempt at body work, you can forget a. If you cheap out on materials forget b. And if you get a painter who's not experienced forget c. Any one of those will make your 10K paintjob, just an average orange peeled F150 deal (or worse). |
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| 95EagleAWD |
quote:
Originally posted by ehos
The paintjobs aren't 'shitty' they are cheap.
Actually, their paintjobs are shitty AND cheap. |
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| Prudz_lude |
quote:
Originally posted by ehos
People propagate the same myths over and over.
How many cars have you painted? And is 'tremclad' an accepted way of painting a car?
How many cars have the painters at Maaco laid down?
That's right hundreds if not thousands. The paintjobs aren't 'shitty' they are cheap. They don't prep unless you pay for it (and people don't, otherwise why would they go there?).
The actual paint they lay down is as perfect as you can get it for what you are paying. $300? That barely covers the cost of materials (go ahead, price it out yourself). Basically they are spraying it for free (but they make money on volume).
I can lay paint, but I've done it about 4 times. It's going to be mediocre until I get more experience. OR, I could do what I know I can do well (rust removal, body prep etc).
By the way OP, the rust removal on your Civic isn't going to be cheap, are you sure you want to do it? And to get a 10K paintjob, you need a) perfect prep b) perfect materials c) perfect painter.
If this is your first attempt at body work, you can forget a. If you cheap out on materials forget b. And if you get a painter who's not experienced forget c. Any one of those will make your 10K paintjob, just an average orange peeled F150 deal (or worse).
A) i never cheap out on anything. B) time will be cheap in summer to me and this will fill my time. not only that i don't want to pay someone to do work that is not difficult. Its not like spraying a car is some skill one in a million have. Most people paint like idiots and don't have a steady hand C) i am confident enough that i can do a great prep job and spray job if someone would just answer my questions rather than avoid answering my questions. Thats at least what this thread is turning into. It's not that i expect it to look like a 10k paint job. A 5k would do :P |
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| arabian_ryda |
after u get it back from rust repair its gonna be straight metal and exposed welds. ur gonna have to grind them down then putty and sand to make it look original and straight.
dosnt matter how good your prep if the painter is shit it will come out looking nasty either with orange peil look or paint runs here and there.
what color are u goin for? u could do it yourself in your garage. |
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| ehos |
quote:
Originally posted by Prudz_lude
A) i never cheap out on anything. B) time will be cheap in summer to me and this will fill my time. not only that i don't want to pay someone to do work that is not difficult. Its not like spraying a car is some skill one in a million have. Most people paint like idiots and don't have a steady hand C) i am confident enough that i can do a great prep job and spray job if someone would just answer my questions rather than avoid answering my questions. Thats at least what this thread is turning into. It's not that i expect it to look like a 10k paint job. A 5k would do :P
Doesn't matter how much time you have. It takes skill and experience to do proper prep work. If it's your first time, I can guarantee you're going to screw it up. And laying paint is a skill. Everyone can learn a skill, but the first time you do, it's going to look sub par. There's no way you're going to lay pro paint on your first try or do body work like a pro. It will be an ok paintjob (maybe), but you said '10K' paintjob. Not going to happen. Not by you, in any case.
'Steady' hand means nothing. Where are you going to paint your car? What materials are you going to use? Who is going to sell them to you? (Please don't say ebay) Do you know how to mix the material? What kind of paintgun/compressor etc etc? There's about a hundred things you will have to take care of before you do it yourself. What happens if one of 100 things (or more) goes wrong? Are you spraying metallic, one stage or 3/4/5? |
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| ehos |
quote:
Originally posted by arabian_ryda
u could do it yourself in your garage.
Can't win with home made. |
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| GOT BOOST |
I have been giving some thought to repainting and doing some body work on my 84 Toyota pickup. I am thinking changing the color from white/rusty to the new Tacoma Blue. :D
I am not looking for anything near perfection. Just want to practice sanding, the bondo, and painting on it.
When it is ready for paint, I will just drive it over to Desro’s and rent out the paint booth. :D
Mike |
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| ehos |
quote:
Originally posted by GOT BOOST
I have been giving some thought to repainting and doing some body work on my 84 Toyota pickup. I am thinking changing the color from white/rusty to the new Tacoma Blue. :D
I am not looking for anything near perfection. Just want to practice sanding, the bondo, and painting on it.
When it is ready for paint, I will just drive it over to Desro’s and rent out the paint booth. :D
Mike
At least your expectations are realistic.
If you find sanding fun, come on over I have a few projects that need sanding :) |
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| GOT BOOST |
quote:
Originally posted by ehos
At least your expectations are realistic.
If you find sanding fun, come on over I have a few projects that need sanding :)
I helped sand and do some of the body work on my supra. I did not paint it, my buddy who had an autobody shop did.
Still my skill level is crappy, borderline embarasing. :lol:
Any project can be fun if you choose it to be. :D
Mike |
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| arabian_ryda |
quote:
Originally posted by ehos
Can't win with home made.
i seen a couple cars come out looking better then a shop. it all depends on how the garage is setup ands how low dusk level can be kept.
i did the engine bay on my datsun in my garage and it turned out perfect but i preped my garage before hand. wet floor/fans/ventilation etc etc |
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| Prudz_lude |
quote:
Originally posted by ehos
Doesn't matter how much time you have. It takes skill and experience to do proper prep work. If it's your first time, I can guarantee you're going to screw it up. And laying paint is a skill. Everyone can learn a skill, but the first time you do, it's going to look sub par. There's no way you're going to lay pro paint on your first try or do body work like a pro. It will be an ok paintjob (maybe), but you said '10K' paintjob. Not going to happen. Not by you, in any case.
'Steady' hand means nothing. Where are you going to paint your car? What materials are you going to use? Who is going to sell them to you? (Please don't say ebay) Do you know how to mix the material? What kind of paintgun/compressor etc etc? There's about a hundred things you will have to take care of before you do it yourself. What happens if one of 100 things (or more) goes wrong? Are you spraying metallic, one stage or 3/4/5?
Oh sweet jesus this thread is like the thread of avoidence. Someone just answer my questions rather than just saying you can't fucking do it.
I have an idea how about instead of asking me questions you put your questions into my answers. What kind of materials SHOULD I BE USING, WHERE DO I BUY THEM, WHAT KIND OF PAINT GUN AND COMPRESSOR DO I BUY. HOW WOULD YOU RECOMMEND SPRAYING A METALLIC.
YOU HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE IF YOU WANT TO GET GOOD AT SOMETHING. OBVIOUSLY I AM GOING TO START HERE AND NEED SOME HELP.
Jesus there is not one post in this thread on how to paint a car. Just as i expected from 780haters. Not a single post of relevant information on how to paint. Just on how not to paint and how people think someone is going to screw up. |
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| Prudz_lude |
quote:
Originally posted by arabian_ryda
after u get it back from rust repair its gonna be straight metal and exposed welds. ur gonna have to grind them down then putty and sand to make it look original and straight.
dosnt matter how good your prep if the painter is shit it will come out looking nasty either with orange peil look or paint runs here and there.
what color are u goin for? u could do it yourself in your garage.
It won't be straight metal or exposed welds. They will be grinded down at the shop and have all that prep done. Plus i am getting a great deal the rust repair. one that im sure most you would not believe. |
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| arabian_ryda |
quote:
Originally posted by Prudz_lude
I have an idea how about instead of asking me questions you put your questions into my answers. What kind of materials SHOULD I BE USING, WHERE DO I BUY THEM, WHAT KIND OF PAINT GUN AND COMPRESSOR DO I BUY. HOW WOULD YOU RECOMMEND SPRAYING A METALLIC.
get a gravity gun the ones that have there paint supplied from the top rather then the bottom as its more consistant and gives a better even result. devalbus(sp?) guns are one of the best so start there but the better the gun the more pricy they get.
compressor can be rented at home depot. the bigger the tank the longer your spray time will be as u dont wana be waiting for the tank to fill halfway through your paint job. 10 gallons or more should do the trick.
theres alot of highend good quilty paints. go see the boys at carlsons on southside they got all the materials ull need(guns/paint/masks/chemicals etc) and can point u in the direction of what good for your aplication
matallics get sprayed just like any other paint. are u goin with a 2 stage or single? |
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| Prudz_lude |
Thank you, now that is a helpful post.
Not sure which stage, which ever one is better. I was looking at a bunch of eg's on honda-tech and the one color that stood out to me was this metallic gold color. I pm'd the guy to ask what color it is so once he responds i am pretty positive thats the color i am going to go with. |
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| GOT BOOST |
quote:
Originally posted by Prudz_lude
Oh sweet jesus this thread is like the thread of avoidence. Someone just answer my questions rather than just saying you can't fucking do it.
I have an idea how about instead of asking me questions you put your questions into my answers. What kind of materials SHOULD I BE USING, WHERE DO I BUY THEM, WHAT KIND OF PAINT GUN AND COMPRESSOR DO I BUY. HOW WOULD YOU RECOMMEND SPRAYING A METALLIC.
YOU HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE IF YOU WANT TO GET GOOD AT SOMETHING. OBVIOUSLY I AM GOING TO START HERE AND NEED SOME HELP.
Jesus there is not one post in this thread on how to paint a car. Just as i expected from 780haters. Not a single post of relevant information on how to paint. Just on how not to paint and how people think someone is going to screw up.
Sorry dude,
As for the rust repair I do not know how to weld, or what is involved in doing it.
As for the bondo work, or sanding and painting.
I believe you clean the area to be bondo’d really well(with what I am not sure), then mix according to the directions and apply small liberal amounts. Then sand off a bit until smooth then re apply another layer until the “gap has been filled”. The entire surface to be painted should be smooth to the touch with a bare hand with no ridges. I do not know the exact grit of sand paper used, but I Imagine very fine for the final hand sand.
As for the painting, you could go to an autobody shop such as carlsons to get the materials you need for the paint, prep work, etc.
You should be able to spray the paint it with an air compressor and a paint gun. I have been told to keep the gun level and straight at a distance of 6 to 8 inches (I will need to check on the distance) from the surface to be painted. I believe Desro’s charges $28.00 per hour to use their paint booth and they supply all the materials except for the paint, primer, etc.
Depending on how detailed you want to go, you will want to mask off areas you do not want painted. You could also look at removing other stuff from the car, inside the car too that you might want painted.
Again this is pretty loose advice. Best thing to do is chat with a few auto body supply stores and see what they have to say.
Sorry I could not be of more help.
Mike |
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| Prudz_lude |
nice attempt GOT BOOST, i appreciate it. However, i know thats not how to go about doing the prep. The tread back from summer had specific directions from a body man. He said what the exact process was, what materials you need (even listed brand names to use), step by step info, and what grit sand paper to use at each stage. It was an amazing write up and it never got stickied :eek:
Some feedback from body men would be much appreciated. I know there a few of you guys who do this as a career on these boards. Please inform me :thumbup: |
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| GOT BOOST |
quote:
Originally posted by Prudz_lude
nice attempt GOT BOOST, i appreciate it. However, i know thats not how to go about doing the prep. The tread back from summer had specific directions from a body man. He said what the exact process was, what materials you need (even listed brand names to use), step by step info, and what grit sand paper to use at each stage. It was an amazing write up and it never got stickied :eek:
Some feedback from body men would be much appreciated. I know there a few of you guys who do this as a career on these boards. Please inform me :thumbup:
I never claimed to be an autobody man or an expert in the field. :beer:
I know there is alot more involved than my brief overview. Best option is to talk to a few people in the know.
Mike |
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| newaccorddriver |
| that paint job looks like it would take a long time to do. looks good though. was that paint booth at desros, or was it elsewhere? |
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| dc2696 |
| Pm TrevorK or Fugu, Trevor knows his shit and Fugu is a bodyman IIRC, those are the guys I'd be asking advice from. |
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| JeepGirl |
quote:
Originally posted by newaccorddriver
that paint job looks like it would take a long time to do. looks good though. was that paint booth at desros, or was it elsewhere?
I did it at NAIT autobody two years ago christmas, there were no classes on the floor and everyone was on vacation, had the whole place to ourselves :D Kinda like this week, weve been in the shop all xmas vacation and had the place totally to ourselves to do our swap.
That paint job took 19 hours from start to finish, non-stop, was the first entire car I had ever painted. LOTS of masking happened there... OMFG!
This is the only whoopsie I made.. right on the corner of the bumper I ran the clear...
Can't hardly see it....
This spring I'll be doing another one, but I'll get to do it in one of the brand new paint booths I helped to setup.. I can't wait...
I'm going two-tone!!
Frost silver on top with little holographic flakes thrown in to the mixing clear and the bottom half will be a nutmeg/copper colour with copper flake. Hubby is going to pinstripe it for me. |
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| jordanturbo |
Its your buddy jason, the smart brother.
You should go to chapters and pick up a couple books on painting, start there and then decide if you think you can actually do this yourself.
There is soooo many things that come with time and experience when it comes to a good painter/bodyman.
My advice, you want to do it yourself? Get really good at block sanding. Dont do the rust repair yourself, and dont cheap out on it.
Best advice, just go to BC and buy a civic with no rust to start with. |
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| JeepGirl |
quote:
Originally posted by jordanturbo
Its your buddy jason, the smart brother.
Best advice, just go to BC and buy a civic with no rust to start with.
^^^+1
That's where my latest civic came from and the thing looks like it's maybe 2 years old, not 20! |
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| AuZZZie |
^^ You'd think mr I.T would spend enough time on forums to know only jackass's quote all the pictures. :thumbup:
I've never been confident enough to attempt anything paint/body related on my vehicles. Its definately an art, and as im no artist i'll leave it to those that are..
But GL with it.. |
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| AudiInProgress |
quote:
Originally posted by AuZZZie
^^ You'd think mr I.T would spend enough time on forums to know only jackass's quote all the pictures. :thumbup:
I've never been confident enough to attempt anything paint/body related on my vehicles. Its definately an art, and as im no artist i'll leave it to those that are..
But GL with it..
Oh Jayson, I love you too buddy, haha!@ Come on auzzie, you know my fucking M.O. is all about being a jackass, quoting pics FTMFW. |
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| Prudz_lude |
quote:
Originally posted by jordanturbo
Its your buddy jason, the smart brother.
You should go to chapters and pick up a couple books on painting, start there and then decide if you think you can actually do this yourself.
There is soooo many things that come with time and experience when it comes to a good painter/bodyman.
My advice, you want to do it yourself? Get really good at block sanding. Dont do the rust repair yourself, and dont cheap out on it.
Best advice, just go to BC and buy a civic with no rust to start with.
yah thats what i was thinking about doing. I know block sanding is key. I will never do rust removal myself. I do not know how to cure car cancer but i know a bodyman that does. Its not cheap but i'll be happy.
Im considering just prepping the car myself and getting the rust removed by the guy i know. I called a few body shops and they all said they could spray the car for me for cheap. I think this is probably the route i will go.
Another question though. I will get the car painted black if i have to becasue i know its one of the easier colors to paint and cheap but is it only because of the time it takes to paint a car a color like a metallic gold that makes it expensive? |
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| TrevorK |
quote:
Originally posted by Prudz_lude
Another question though. I will get the car painted black if i have to becasue i know its one of the easier colors to paint and cheap but is it only because of the time it takes to paint a car a color like a metallic gold that makes it expensive?
Black is one of the harder colours to paint - the darker colours will show the imperfections much more than a lighter colour. You're in for even more of a world of hurt if you attempt to paint something like a metallic finish, because they are much more challenging to get the car to appear consistantly the same.
If you want to try your hand at an easy colour pick one such as white. It will hide your imperfections well.
As for what makes certain finishes expensive - it's materials and skill that cause it to be more expensive. When you start examining the nice paint jobs, you'll realize that there is more attention to detail in things such as tinting the primer, laying coats of different colours, etc.... that add to the cost. That's in addition to having to purchase more expensive materials.
I would highly advise that you sit down and determine what exactly you want to build into the car and what you want out of it. To do it "right" may involve a lot of expense, for instance if you're welding in new quarters there is much more that should be done that typically isn't (treating the metal with a self-etching primer, etc...). However, on a 1992 Civic (I think this is what you said you have?) spending this kind of money and using this attention to detail is most likely a complete waste of time/money. |
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| JeepGirl |
| Red is the most expensive colour. Hubby explained to my why it was more spendy then the rest, I just can't remember, something to do with the pigments used or something. |
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