how hard is it????
how hard is it???? how hard is it to paint youre own car? im pretty broke rite now(no job) so i realize that i wont have enough money to pay any1 to paint my car any time soon.....i just talked to my friend and his grandpop has a old paint shop but doesnt paint anymore so i am allowed to use it if i wanted to (my friend is a bullshitter so im not 100% sure if i actually can)but anyway if i was allowed to how hard would it be?
- jake
- jake
The paint can come out like crap if you don't know what you're doing and don't practice quite a bit first. It seems so easy when you see it on TV, but those people have been doing it for years and have the technique down. Also, even painting yourself won't be free. I spent close to $200 to paint a hood and fender on my truck (cost of paint, clearcoat, thinner, hardener and $50 gun).
Indeed, it won't be cheap even if you do it yourself, especially not if it's the first time you do it, as you (just as with anything else) need a bunch of tools. Blocks for sanding, sandpaper, filler, masking tape, masking paper, thinners, gun(s), and of course paint. Easily around $2000 for a complete car.
However, it could also be an investment in yourself, learning how to paint cars.
Your first jobs are going to turn out as crap if you're not some kind of prodigy, just so you know. There is a way around it though. Make the mistakes on something that doesn't count..
Go to the junkyard and pick up some fenders or hoods, and learn on those. Get some with a lot of curvature on them, as that is what our cars look like.
Also, remember, prep-work is key. If you skimp or take shortcuts on the prep-work, it's simply impossible to get a good result.
However, it could also be an investment in yourself, learning how to paint cars.
Your first jobs are going to turn out as crap if you're not some kind of prodigy, just so you know. There is a way around it though. Make the mistakes on something that doesn't count..
Go to the junkyard and pick up some fenders or hoods, and learn on those. Get some with a lot of curvature on them, as that is what our cars look like.
Also, remember, prep-work is key. If you skimp or take shortcuts on the prep-work, it's simply impossible to get a good result.
I agree that you do need to practice. But I don't agree that your first job will turn out bad. My first paint job turned out better than what most shops put out (for just normal paint jobs). But I knew what I was doing before I started. Took my time on the prep work, used good materials (you would be surprised at the difference in cheap and expensive sand paper), and was just real careful.
But just because you do it yourself, don't expect to get out cheap. Most body shops have their own paint systems. Meaning they mix their own colors in house. Meaning cheap. Where an average Joe has to go to a paint store and have it mixed...meaning more expensive.
Make friends with a body guy. Watch him work. Take notes. Then get your hands dirty.
In my opinion, doing a good paint job is one of the most rewarding things you can do to a car.
But just because you do it yourself, don't expect to get out cheap. Most body shops have their own paint systems. Meaning they mix their own colors in house. Meaning cheap. Where an average Joe has to go to a paint store and have it mixed...meaning more expensive.
Make friends with a body guy. Watch him work. Take notes. Then get your hands dirty.
In my opinion, doing a good paint job is one of the most rewarding things you can do to a car.
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: oxford, alabama
I painted a car for a friend a few months ago. To paint the entire car it cost $250. That was paint, sandpaper, tape. It all depends on where you get the paint from, the brand, and if you go with a single stage or a basecoat/clearcoat ect... If you have any questions or need details on the technique or anything then just shoot me a pm. I could take some pics for you that shows proper technique as well as give you all the details you will need.
Goodluck!
-Kody
Goodluck!
-Kody
I"m 20 and I started my first painting project. I suggest for you to just take your time and do all the sanding and taping yourself and pay someone to spray the car. much cheaper alternative.
I painted my honda last week.......took me about a week with prep, painting, and wetsanding in between work and some car shows...spent no more the $100....I have been getting lots of compliments
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Uh-Oh, better get Maaco! Seriously, I was told some locations can do a fairly decent Epoxy paint job for under $1,000. It just depends on what you want. I wouldn't want a $1,000 paint job, but it makes some folks happy until they can afford 3-4 times that or more for a show-car finish. If my car was heavily scratched or faded, I'd consider the cheapie route for 1-2 years until I saved enough to get it done right.
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: oxford, alabama
Uh-Oh, better get Maaco! Seriously, I was told some locations can do a fairly decent Epoxy paint job for under $1,000. It just depends on what you want. I wouldn't want a $1,000 paint job, but it makes some folks happy until they can afford 3-4 times that or more for a show-car finish. If my car was heavily scratched or faded, I'd consider the cheapie route for 1-2 years until I saved enough to get it done right.
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: oxford, alabama
Seems like someone woke up and put their asshat on this morning. Good job **** crust! You really made a huge addition to this thread. What will the world ever do if you stop posting.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,420
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From: long island new york
