Painting my Q myself

[Jehangir]

Okay, so I'm willing to put the Q's paintjob to my test. As some may remember I bent my hood shortly after replacing my hood struts which I bought from O'Reiley's Auto parts. Luckily, they're paying me $1700 as that is what it would cost if I had the work done professionally. Instead I am thinking about buying a used hood in good condition and painting it myself. I figure if it doesn't work then no big deal I'll pay someone to do the same. Therefore, I would appreciate if someone can give me the paint number for my Q 92A Emerald / Jade Green. Also if someone knows how many coats I need as well as how much clear coat will be nessesary. I'm kinda lookin forward to this. Never painted a car before. Wonder what kind of brush to use? Not! just kiddinCan't wait for the responses

[Chansen]

Wow grats on getting them to replace the hood struts and for the $ for your hood.I remember reading your post when your hood bent.

Good luck on the paint job!are you just doing the hood?

[elwesso]

DJ2 Its on the little plate on the firewall...

Also just to let oyu know a hood repaint is cheap, may only cost $200

[CrimsonQ]

Yeah, if its your first time painting a car/part, youre gonna screw up. Your Q deserves a 200 dollar repaint

[squeefoo]

After doing bodywork professionally for years, and semi-professionally for many more....I can say on your first try you will be disappointed regardless of the heart and determination. There are so many things that can go wrong even if you know about them and take measures to prevent (temperatures, spray techniques, drying times, sandpaper grit, sanding technique, compatability of substrates, and many many more) The paint is really expensive and requires a fine touch to do even with the utmost care. Get some estimates, go with the guys that do the nicest work, don't expect it to match. Park it out in the sun as much as possible, don't wax it for a couple of weeks/month.

I know it's only a hood but it's much easier this way.

Spend the rest on PM or upgrades since this is essentially "found money".

[Jehangir]

What is a fair price to pay for this job? Is it worth getting a new hood for $500 or a used one for $100? The money thats left over will be spent on the remain accumulator recharge. So let me know ....

[elwesso]

definitely get a used hood...

[Q451990]

I know it's a long shot, but I would shoot for a used 93 green hood... any luck on http://www.car-parts.com?

Heath

[squeefoo]

Try car-part and see if they might even have have a green one. Add $150 for shipping to any bodyparts from Scottsdale. (Kinda kills the discount eh? )

Not sure what that would cost since it depends what kind of shape it's in (it might need alot of extra sanding) and what the paint costs -so it's hard to say (don't forget their overhead).

Some times when you mix the paint there are no mix numbers for a pint ... only a quart, which becomes a pass-along cost (like all those xtra charges on a phone bill) to you, the shop keeps the paint, which is really no good to them anyway. The diff from a pint to a quart on this paint can be a lot. Not sure so I'm just citing examples from experience from looking into painting my Dad's Ivory Pearl Quartz Q -paint was sky high for this since it was a pearl -and it needed 4 different layers of paint for a 2inch scrape. $400 from my buddy prob $1000 anywhere else (I didn't have time).
Modified by squeefoo at 10:19 PM 10/26/2005

[Jehangir]

No used ones near me on car-parts.com. Those that have a hood I need won't ship it to me. Moreover, nobody wants to show me pictures before I buy the hood. I have a hard time purchasing something used which I can't see and will cost upwards of a couple hundred bucks..... Anyone interested in a finder fee. I am willing to PAY $50 TO ANYONE WHO FINDS ME A USED EMERALD GREEN HOOD FOR LESS THAN $300 SHIPPED

[redmanfx]

Since I've tested painting car parts(fenders for freinds, trunks etc..) to practice for when I paint my Q in the spring I've foung two very important things.

First never ever paint anything if the temp is not 70 degrees or higher. I'm serious! The paint has to dry right and at temps under 70 degrees it doesn't!

2nd, Iv'e found that 3 coats will get a real good finish. 2 coats of clear coat after that! It just seems that combo looks better then anything else I've done. Don't ask me why, it just looks better. I'm sure you can get by with 2 coats of paint and 1 clear coat, but this is a Q and it needs more.

and 1 last tip,...it's all in the wrist!

red