Paint job

[95CobraMike]

Have any of you recently gotten a paint job done to your car? i was wondering how much it would be to get a whole car painted black...i could have gone to some shops around here and asked, but this is more fun.
thanks

 

[1105]

What kind of paint job are you looking for? Just a basic paint job where you keep the same color? Do you want the door jams and stuff repainted? Switching to a new color?

A basic paint job will cost you anywhere from $1000-$1200 more than likely depending on how much prep work is involved. Of course, if you're going to be painting the door jams and everything, it'll be more, and to change the color it'll be rather expencive since the whole car will have to be painted to look good... trunk, doors, door jams, under the hood

 

[95CobraMike]

sorry, yes change of color, white to black. so the door jams and whatnot will have to be done too.

 

[1105]

You'll probably be looking at close to $2000 if not more

 

[95CobraMike]

what if i did it myself? i have never done that, but i am sure i can learn and i am sure i could do a good job....what is all involved and how much would paint and things cost me? i am sure it takes lots of time and patience...

 

[1105]

i am sure it takes lots of time and patience...

that it does

The body work itself isnt that hard. Fill in the dents and stuff with body filler, sand it smooth so it flows evenly with the rest of the cars lines. Then you can either just spray primer over the spots you worked on, or spray the whole car with primer which is the correct way. Then sand all that down, then spray your base coat on then the clear.

If its your first time ever using a spray gun, I'd get an old hood and practice on that first... Its really tricky to get the hang of it and if it runs, you'll have to start all over. I can go more into detail if you're still intrested, but it will be A LOT of work. Cost of materials.... Enough paint for your car will probably be around $200 depending on which brand you go with, then you'll need primer, clear coat, lots and lots of sand paper and masking tape, and some body filler. Figure all of that will cost probably an extra $250-$300. I'm sure Andy will pop in with some helpful tips too

 

[1105]

Heres what you'll be getting yourself into if you do it yourself

 

[95CobraMike]

when you sand, do you sand all of the old base coat off? or do you just sand it so the new primer has good grip to it?
thanks so far you are helping much

 

[1105]

You're actually supposed to strip all of the paint off the car, do the body work, then primer it then paint...

The way I did it was sanded in and around all the dents, filled them with body filler, primed the area, sanded it smooth. Once that was all done, I wet sanded the car with 400, took it in the booth like you see in thoes pictures, and sprayed the base and clear coat on. Its not the proper way to do it, but I cant tell the difference... I think after years the spots where theres primer will be a different tone than everything else

 

[Hellbent66]

Spot priming is okay As long as u don't sand through the primer in your repair area. If you are worried about bleed back you could seal it! Depending on the brand of primer you go with sealer is primer mixed a little differently! The body shop I work at won't touch a color change for less than 5G there is cheaper places don't get me wrong but usually you get what you pay for same with materials should you decide to do it yourself! good Luck

 

[95BLKGT5.0]

Dude go to a web site http://www.autobodystore.com
Everything you need to know
I painted cars and boats for 10 years and that web site has all the info. you will need plus they have video tapes you can buy to learn how to do everything from body work to painting.
They also have great prices on everything you will need.

But if you think it will be cheaper to do your self you will find out it is better to leave it to the pros.

They have all the tools you don't.
You need a air compressure 80 gal 75psi minium, sanders, HPVC spray gun, Spray booth lots of sandpaper and a hole lot of time.

And to change from white to black you are looking at $3000 for a half way decent paint job and $4000 for paint job done right. Just remember black paint jobs will show every little flaw in your body and paint.

 

[Hellbent66]

I'm with him I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself unless you have access to the right tools. You can paint without a booth but You'll have lots of dirt. Black is not any harder to spray but, he is right on, it shows everything!!!

 

[95CobraMike]

i have everything but the booth...i dont know i guess i will have to go to that site that was listed above, read and watch things on there and decide on what i want to do....i think it would be a fun little project, but i may be wrong.

 

[Hellbent66]

Body work and painting can be fun. It is always better when it is on your own car! If you have any questions about something and can't find it on that site don't be afraid to ask TRAVIS