Getting profesional paint job- preping myself and need help...

[Onizuka]

Hey guys, im getting a full paint job (inside and out) on my car and i was told that preping the car yourself will save a crap load of money. I have the engine, the seats and everything in the trunk removed. Is removing the dash hard? Do i need to take off the doors?

also, what coler do you think i should paint my car? I was thinking silver. Im buying the s13 silvia headlight conversion (before i get it painted of course), so keep that in mind.What color should i paint my car?

[C-Kwik]

The choice of color should really be yours.

You'll need to remove all the fixed windows. All trim and lights need to be removed. If you want the entire interior painted, then I would remove the dash and all interior trim. Mask off the parts that you don't want painted. You'll probably only need to focus on areas where you can see the paint though. Remove the bumper covers, they are painted off of the vehicle. You'll need to remove any wax on the paint. And you will need to rough of the paint a little with sandpaper(ask your painter what is best here) so the paint has a better surface to bond to.

[big jon's 240]

Damn dude, your really going all out arent you? If you are really serious about doing the prep work yourself, you might want to go down to the parts store and get a book on doing body work, its worth the 10 bucks or so.

[Onizuka]

I havent found a paintshop to do my paintjob yet, but im definatly not going with macco or any crap like that (they butchered my freinds paintjob). How much do you think it would cost froma GOOD shop? I have to get ding removal too.....

[Onizuka]

Damn dude, your really going all out arent you?

hell yeah, i even want to get the bottom of the car powder coated if posible...

[Onizuka]

Ok i just thought of another question:

If there is some prep work i cant do (like removing the windows) will a good paintshop finish up the prepwork before they paint?

[C-Kwik]

I'd say a pretty decent paint job would run you about $3000. That's with the shop doing everything. And for a basic 2-coat paint(base and clear). It can very depending on the paint labor rates in your area as well.

As far as powdercoating, it may get very involved. I think you would have to get down to bare metal for that. I'd hope you are building a show car with that kind of work. Judges in shows are probably the only ones who will ever care about what is under your car.

[Onizuka]

I'd say a pretty decent paint job would run you about $3000. That's with the shop doing everything.

Do you mean everything as in, they do all the prep work? cause im definatly doing as much prepwork myself as i can. Say if i bring in the car and all they have to do is spray how much do you think about it would cost?

The only reason i was concidering powdercoating the bottom is to prevent rust. Rust is my worst enemy.

Thanks for the help by the way. I know i ask alot of questions and your replies are much appreciated!

[lessthanjakejohn]

red or white or charcoal, something quality and not too expensive.

I would just put a protective paint on the bottom.

[corn322]

Judges in shows are probably the only ones who will ever care about what is under your car.

don't forget about the people he might accedentally run over:D

[chrispy]

preping is a *****, primer this , sandable primer there , sand this , ahh just tons of time wasted , but it is cheaper

[big jon's 240]

I would agree with C-Kwik, 3000 is a pretty good ball park figure for some ding removal, decent prep,and a good paint and clear coat. There are a lot of variables, some paint is more expensive than others, and the more prep you do, the less you will pay. I would say if you brought it in completely prepped (i.e., sanded, primered, taped off), you may be able to get away for 1500 or less. Your best bet is to just call around to a couple of different places and start asking for quotes based on the work that you will do yourself, and what you need from them, that is the only way you will know for sure.But unless your sure at you abilility to do prep work, id leave it to the pros. The prep work is what really makes the difference between a good paint job and a crappy one. Its almost ALL in the prep work! That is why macco sucks, they pretty much just tape off stuff and start spraying.

[Onizuka]

so i would be looking at about 2000 for the whole car if they do the sanding, ding removal and spraying, and i remove everything and tape off stuff? or should i sand myself?

[big jon's 240]

Sanding is where you will save a lot of money, as it is very time consuming (sand, primer, sand, primer, wet sand.....you get the idea). It isnt that hard to do. i have a book out in the garage with recomended grit sand paper to use as far as initial sanding, wet sanding, etc. If you cant find the info online, ill look it up for you tomorrow (been so long since i sanded a car, i forgot the #'s).

[Onizuka]

that would be awsome if you could, im such a newb when it comes to this kind of stuff :help

[lessthanjakejohn]

are you taking out all those wires and hoses too?

[Onizuka]

yeah im taking out everything

[240sxgirl]

If you are looking for a cheap way to get a good paint job is to do all and I emphasize all the prep work yourself such as body filling taping off everything. After you do all that a good paint jobe should cost 3,000 or more. Also ask your painter what kind of paint they are using the best brands are house of kolor, dupont, ppg, and sikkens. The most major part of the paint job though is to have good clear coat otherwise your paint will look like orange peel. I am sure many of you who have had a car painted at maaco know what i am talking about. You cant go cheap on paint or clearcoat or that is how your paint will turn out. I have been painting and doing body work for 5 years now and I can tell you all the do's and dont's. For me I am going to paint my myself as I can save the money wasted at a bodyshop and buy the best paint out there and put the rest towards engine mods.

[240SXedUp]

Id go with charcoal or black if I was painting my car.

[240sxgirl]

One important thing to remember when painting a cars is, if you are going with a darker color like black or dark grey is that your body work better be perfect or you will see every imperfection. When painting white or a lighter color it tends to hide the body work better. Just make sure whoever is doing the body work gets everything smooth and perfect otherwise all the time and money you spent will go down the drain.

[chrispy]

I used PPG and it worked great, I also got the lower quality type. The paint shop guy said there is basically no big difference, and since this car isn't a show car and will most likely be invovled in a a acident not to get the super expensive stuff . I do remember there being a hefty price difference between the two.

[Onizuka]

Ok i have decided to not paint the inside of the car, it would be too much of a pain in the arse for something im never going to see. I might even just spraypaint the engine bay to save money. I figure im already spending $1200+ for the silvia panels ill never be able to get all the money together for a full paint job and finish the motor swap in less than a year. I still want to get a good paint job and do the prep work myself though.....

240sxgirl- yeah i used to want a black paint job like my car has now but it shows dirt and dings way too easy. Thats why i want silver, i think it is a good all around paint color that isnt too flashy.