Learning to paint?
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TECH Apprentice
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Hampton Roads, VA
Learning to paint? I am considering painting my car, 1994 Formula myself. To be honest I have almost no experience painting, but I also had no experience building engines until I built one or honestly, watched someone build one. I would like to learn how to paint but don't have time to go to classes to learn. I know its cheaper to pay someone but its something I want to learn. I am not planning on painting the car as my first project. I also have a collection motorcycles I am restoring which most need paint also. I would start with those since its easier and the parts are smaller. I also have the original hood which I was intending to practice on as well. In the end maybe its not worth it, but its something I'd like to learn. Maybe a waste of time, I don't know.
Besides taking formal classes what's the best way to get started? I was thinking of asking around and actually paying someone to talk me thru painting the car. I think it would be worth it to get the knowledge and help - or maybe I should just forget the whole thing and have a pro paint it. It's an autocross car and not a show car so I'm not going to perfection. I'm also planning on getting a C5Z this year so I don't want to spend $3000 or more in paint work though I don't mind spending $1500 or $2000 on equipment, most of which I bet can be had used (compressor, guns, etc.)
I also just want to paint the car white, no metallics or anything like that. Just white and clear.
Besides taking formal classes what's the best way to get started? I was thinking of asking around and actually paying someone to talk me thru painting the car. I think it would be worth it to get the knowledge and help - or maybe I should just forget the whole thing and have a pro paint it. It's an autocross car and not a show car so I'm not going to perfection. I'm also planning on getting a C5Z this year so I don't want to spend $3000 or more in paint work though I don't mind spending $1500 or $2000 on equipment, most of which I bet can be had used (compressor, guns, etc.)
I also just want to paint the car white, no metallics or anything like that. Just white and clear.
best thing would just be go out and try it. search some websites/forums. watch some videos on youtube. ask some people who work at a paint shop. then just start painting. everything. just keep doing it and it should help you get a pretty good idea of things. i recently started getting into airbrushing and have been going this route and it seems to be working alrite for me. best of luck to ya man and keep us posted on how it goes.
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
best thing would just be go out and try it. search some websites/forums. watch some videos on youtube. ask some people who work at a paint shop. then just start painting. everything. just keep doing it and it should help you get a pretty good idea of things. i recently started getting into airbrushing and have been going this route and it seems to be working alrite for me. best of luck to ya man and keep us posted on how it goes.
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Columbus,OH
I think you have the right idea on trying to paint. Start out with the small parts and when something doesn't turn out the way you would like(and it won't the first time) you don't have such a big job to fix. I've been restoring cars for 15 years and my first work definately wasn't the best, it just takes practice. You are definately right on about practicing. I would also maybe suggest that you get the car ready and pay someone in your area to spay the car. It will turn out clean because they will have a booth to keep all the dirt out of the paint job. Good luck and have fun.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Hampton Roads, VA
Cool. Thanks. At this point I have two vehicles that need paint, a 1994 Formula and a 1972 F100 390 C6 Shortbed, lowered 4 and 3 (no it doesn't have an LSx in it). The Formula might be do-able, but the truck is partially completed and the interior is already done in a 3 stage candy orange so not much chance of me trying that. I think my plan will be to prep the Firebird and have someone paint it, and the truck will be sprayed in yellow primer until I can afford the high dollar paint job it needs.
I do think I've come up with a good idea for my new garage however (already wife approved). The garage will have a rolling ladder that will be able to be rolled around the entire shop wall and through the corners even on a single continuous railing. I was thinking last night that the railing could also be used to hang a curtain and essentially cover all the walls of the shop with a tarp or plastic to prevent overspray. I haven't devised a very good ventilation system as yet but I'll be thinking about that as well.
So, I may never work up to painting a full car, but motorcycles would be a good start and probably what I'm more interested in painting anyway really.
Thanks again for the help. I've never been much of a body man, but I'm also not a plumber either and I spent last night redoing all the piping and pvc under my kitchen sink (wife wanted new counter tops and new sink/faucet ext.) There's something nice about doing a job yourself I guess.
I do think I've come up with a good idea for my new garage however (already wife approved). The garage will have a rolling ladder that will be able to be rolled around the entire shop wall and through the corners even on a single continuous railing. I was thinking last night that the railing could also be used to hang a curtain and essentially cover all the walls of the shop with a tarp or plastic to prevent overspray. I haven't devised a very good ventilation system as yet but I'll be thinking about that as well.
So, I may never work up to painting a full car, but motorcycles would be a good start and probably what I'm more interested in painting anyway really.
Thanks again for the help. I've never been much of a body man, but I'm also not a plumber either and I spent last night redoing all the piping and pvc under my kitchen sink (wife wanted new counter tops and new sink/faucet ext.) There's something nice about doing a job yourself I guess.
Practice makes perfect, even though a perfect paint job is impossible. Just learn as much as you can and start practicing on old parts until you think your ready to tackle you car
I agree am learning too jst use any other car parts...start grinding painting and so on its not that hard tho but it needs work and practising...gd luck but practice well be4 u paint 
Trending Topics
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
I have been friends with professional painters for a LONG time. My advice is, dont cheap out on equipment (paint guns are sacred to painters 
) prep, prep, and more prep, its very labor intensive to produce good paint jobs. most dont realize this. Good luck 
) prep, prep, and more prep, its very labor intensive to produce good paint jobs. most dont realize this. Good luck LS1 Tech Stories
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Gainesville, FL
i taught myself.
i know i'm probably doing it the ghetto way.. but i have a air compressor, gravity gun, a regulator, then a thing that catches water that hooks up beside the regulator. i just spray the prime, then i use 1stage paint. spray a tach coat then 2 more coats. then i'm done. never had a problem.. except for once where my side skirts came out too dark on my cobra. someone told me the pressure on the regulator might've caused this.
its easier to use a air sander instead of doing it by hand with a sheet of sandpaper. i always get the deep scratches out with a tough sandpaper, then i use a real smooth sandpaper with water to make it smooth... my dad told me you're suppose to sand it til its as smooth as glass.. so thats what i try to do.
but i'm still a beginner myself. although a guy at a paint shop told me he was very impressed with my first paint job. he said he was expecting the worst and and the paint came out perfect.
i know i'm probably doing it the ghetto way.. but i have a air compressor, gravity gun, a regulator, then a thing that catches water that hooks up beside the regulator. i just spray the prime, then i use 1stage paint. spray a tach coat then 2 more coats. then i'm done. never had a problem.. except for once where my side skirts came out too dark on my cobra. someone told me the pressure on the regulator might've caused this.
its easier to use a air sander instead of doing it by hand with a sheet of sandpaper. i always get the deep scratches out with a tough sandpaper, then i use a real smooth sandpaper with water to make it smooth... my dad told me you're suppose to sand it til its as smooth as glass.. so thats what i try to do.
but i'm still a beginner myself. although a guy at a paint shop told me he was very impressed with my first paint job. he said he was expecting the worst and and the paint came out perfect.
