How to prep for PAINTJOB

[Wil]

ok, well I just got a second job for the summer and I WILL get my car painted by the end of july or maybe augest. The question is, I want to prep it myself to save some money and I wanted to know how to start and what to do? I plan on getting the stalker front bumper and cobra rear so I'm not going to bother with those parts. What kind of sand paper do I need? What tools would I need to buy? Also, do I need to buy now moldings or can they just paint them black? THanks, WiL

 

[mustangman33]

For taking off your old paint you will need to get a orbital sander, get an electric one because the ones for the air compressors use alot of air, get 320 grit and it will take off the paint and not the primer, you can paint the moldings also just scuff them up with the sand paper, if you have rust to have to go with something like a 180 grit sand paper fill the area with body filler, and for the bondo you will need to go with a lower sand paper like 80, 60, or 40. The higher the numbers, the finer the paper.

 

[Wil]

this is going to be the first time i've ever done this before. Is it safe to do? or could I cause more damage then good? I thought all I would have to do is sand it by hand or something.

 

[mustangman33]

you can sand by hand if you want to, but your arms are going to be really tired, trust me, just go get a orbital sander, some 320 grit sand paper, and you will learn as you go. just dont stay on one area, then you may sand down to the metal. i consider myself a serious do it yourselfer, i give anything a try once, and if i fail, then i take it to a shop. just too cheap to pay thousands of dollars for a paint job, i have 5 cars, and all need a paint job, and i sure aint going to have a shop do something that i can do, save all that money for mods or something.

 

[Michael Yount]

I suspect by your questions you're in way over your head. Proper preparation is 90% of a good paint job. No paint shop/painter that really cares about their reputation would paint over a rookie's 'preparation'. Not trying to flame you - just want you to understand that proper preparation for paint is best left to professionals that know what they're doing - if you want a decent looking paint job. You'd probably be happier with the outcome if you took the time you were gonna spend prepping working some overtime and just paying a shop to do the prep and the paint. I applaud your desire to learn about it and do it yourself -- but this is one best left to others if you want your Stang to look really sharp, and you want the paint job to hold up over time.

 

[mustangman33]

you are very correct, about having a professional, but Ive seen some of the paint jobs of professionals and was not impressed, my father in law just went to maaco and paid 2200 for a paint job with plenty of flaws, looks like they only used 1 coat of clear. another one of my buddies paid 1600 for his paint job and it had runs, and they didnt mask the car right so some of the trim had paint on it, no one is going to take care of your car like you will, last year was my first time painting and I think I did better than maaco did, even thou I had to repaint the whole thing again, but i learned, its really not that hard, just real time consuming.

 

[Michael Yount]

I must admit, when I referred to 'reputable paint shops' and 'professionals', Maaco didn't come to mind.

 

[mustangman33]

ok i feel ya, but still, a paint job can run into the big bucks, I got a gallon of paint and a gallon of clear coat for around 290 bucks(Dupont), got an air compressor for around 350, and a nice gun for around 130, I was able to go over my car about 5 times and still have enough paint for another coat, when I had my first car painted years ago, the guy made me buy a gallon of paint and clear coat for 400, and he charged me like 1000 to do the work, you should be able to get away with 2 quarts of paint and clear, but now i wonder, what happend to the rest of my paint, he probably used it on someone elses car. they get over big time.

 

[Wil]

shot, now I'm doubting weather or not I should try. I didn't think about a shop not wanting to work on a car because there affraid to ruin there rep. Also, 4 years ago I had my 89 Gt painted at macco for about 1100 and they sucked. The paint started to chip in the front and crack on the ground effect. I don't want to spend a lot then just be disappointed but I'm also on a budget. How much do you all think a nice paint job would cost. Also, my car is currently white, would I cost more to paint it a totally different color like cherry cherry red.

 

[hemi_fan]

ive been curious about this also... I want to prep my car for paint this summer, but I too have never done it. My biggest concern is the 2 dents that I have in my drivers door from idiots dinging it. I used the Ding King on them, and now they are very small dents, but the ding-king can only do so much. How can I get rid of those and it has to be possible to prep ur own car properly... any more specific tips on sanding?

 

[mustangman33]

for those little dents you will need body filler, and for body prepin you have to have a good eye, you want a flawless finish so every little section you have to pay close attention to, sanding is easy as long as you use the correct sand paper, go to the junk yard and get a piece to practice on.

 

[bluevenom867]

You'll need a sanding block,60,80,120,320,and 600 grit sand paper.If your clear coat is bad and you like the color just sand it down with 320 then wet sand it with 600.If you got dents and dings buy some plastic (good body filler the hard usually the better). Sand to the metal prime it,fill it make sure it dries and cures,then BLOCK sand it don't use your hand.Respray with primer and it's ready for base coat.

 

[bluevenom867]

My car had a lot of paint and I chemical striped it with striper and razors hopefuly use was not that bad.

 

[EMW150]

Proper preparation is 90% of a good paint job. No paint shop/painter that really cares about their reputation would paint over a rookie's 'preparation'.

I agree 100 percent. A good shop won't do it or if they do give you price they'll include the cost of a complete prep and redo it to make sure it's right.

 

[DJTR]

Maaco and reputable paint shops definetly are not to be placed in the same sentace...... quick and possibly OK paint and Maaco sorta go together but it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth...... almost Like I was just eating something I really really shouldn't have been!!

 

[Wil]

ok, convinced not to do it. I want to do it right the first time instead of regreting something later. I plan on owning this car for a long long time so I just leave it to the pros. Guess I just deal with the interior for now.