Anybody Painted their cars themselves before?

[mshred]

Just wondering if anyone on here has painted their cars themselves instead of taking their cars to a shop to have it done....does anyone have any pics of these paintjobs of theirs, or any things they did or followed in order to make the paintjob turn out good? I know there is a section on the tech pages of this site about, but just wondering if anyone else has done it and with what results?

[mshred]

i was just thinking too, has anyone ever tried a paint roller paint job?

[ab7fh]

I'm working on a project where I will be painting the car myself. There's lots of photos here: http://www.rhphoto.com/dart.html

[CARNUT]

I did mine by myself and at home its far from professional but it will do for know one day I hope to have it done professionally but I just cannot afford it  good luck with yours
some advice if you don't have access to a really good compressor then rent one for a week end it makes all the difference in the world and practice on some scraps before you shoot your car also paintucation tapes are very informative unfortunately I seen them after the fact
ray

[68fish]

I think I'm in the same boat you're in right now. I plan on doing my paint myself. Chaeck the tech pages for good advice. Flyboy01 has lots of good posts on this stuff too! You may want to search his posts. Good Luck!! If I learn anything or have anything ggo d to offer, you can bet I'll put it up here on 

[Jim_Lusk]

I've painted before with so-so results. I also plan on painting again. My Barracuda is next. I will pay to have my GTS done next time.

[sunsetdart]

Biggest thing if you are doing it yourself is to take the time to do everything right the first time. Sanding correctly with the proper grit from start to finish, the body work, EVERYTHING!!!......a good paint job is 99% preparation and 1% paint. Most pros will tell you that why it costs so much to have it done professionally is the labor. Just be prepared to take your time. I have over 500 hrs. in just getting the body ready. When we painted ,we were 14 hrs. in the booth and then 50 hrs. to color sand and polish. I put one pic in of the rear of the car,the rest of it is the purple.

[CARNUT]

here's a great link
http://www.southernpolyurethanes.com/perfect%20paint.htm

[hemi62valiant]

I just enrolled in a local tech school for auto body part time just so I will have access to a booth and good equipment. I will be painting mine before the summer is out..I will load some pics soon

[wjaholic]

I am working on my own paint and body work. It takes me twice as long as most others because its my first try at it. Like they said above, prep is key. Have a lot of patience, and double check your work before you move on to the next step. It dosne't matter if you have to go back and do something again, and again. The important thing is that is that you are happy with it.

[mshred]

Thanks for all the replies....i always knew prep work is the most important. If you dont prep the car well, it doesnt matter what kinda paint job you get, it wont turn out very well...For those of you who did paint your rides yourselves, did you do it in a booth or at home and build a makeshift booth?

[dangerdawg]

 

[eldubb440]

i wouldnt wish an autobody career on anyone.........but it does have its advantages 

[hemi62valiant]

It is hard work and low pay........, but I am retired so I can do it for fun and learn how to work on my own....

[rjsjea]

i was just thinking too, has anyone ever tried a paint roller paint job?

I have never done this, nor will I ever.  If you have a compressor, a spray gun is relatively cheap. 

A garage paint job can look very decent if the prep, materials, and tools are good.....  Dont paint in your garage that is attached to your house though if you have kids.   

[sunsetdart]

I, fortunately have a good friend who has a custom paint shop in my town. He told me if I get the body ready and in primer, sanded and taped, I could use his down draft booth to shoot it. I am lucky to have a friend like that.

[hemi62valiant]

Could he use another friend?......

[larry408]

I am getting ready to paint my 73 Dart Sport with the Dupilcolor Paint Shop paint. Here are some before and after pictures of my 1980 Honda CB900C that I painted first.

[68dodge]

I also did my own paint work.

[sunsetdart]

68dodge..........looks like you took the time to do things right.........good job, looks great!!!!

[Ivor383]

Yep, painted mine, inside, outside and underneath using R-M basecoat and two pack clear...make sure you've got an air fed respirator or you'll be feeling uncle Dick!

[mshred]

my cousin is an airbrusher and he said hes always wanted to spray a car, so im gonna get it to the booth at my dad's work and he can hopefully spray it....hopefuly his knowledge with a gun will help it turn out good

[dartracer]

I did mine in the garage 18 years ago. Base coat clear coat.

[dartracer]

Yep, painted mine, inside, outside and underneath using R-M basecoat and two pack clear...make sure you've got an air fed respirator or you'll be feeling uncle Dick!

Ivor383, You can drop that car off at my place. I'll give it a good home, 70 Roadburners are my favorite B body

[hemi_jay]

I did mine myself too, pics in the body and paint section.

[440valiant]

I work as an apprentice at a bodyshop, so i can paint all my cars there, and get 40% discounts on all the products


huhahahahaha     

[Ivor383]

Ivor383, You can drop that car off at my place. I'll give it a good home, 70 Roadburners are my favorite B body

I wish I could Dartracer, here's how it turned out but I've moved on and building a big block '64 Barracuda now...THAT'S a challenge!

[motorhead]

i think it is safe to say that yes we all paint our own ,you will learn to hate sanding 

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x218/522chevy/HPIM0480.jpg

[magart]

I've never painted a whole car before, but I did the new front fenders and one door on my pick-up. They were turning out real well. but I lost my heat, and had on a touch too much paint.the sag is enormous. I'm hoping to eventually  be able to paint my duster. Iin one way I m lucky that I have to re-do my whole truck to get it back into road-worthy condition, so I'll get a shot at doing a whole vehicle. The unfortunate part is that I have to do the truck first, which keeps the duster on the back burner for a while yet(for paint, anyway)

[uwee440]

Lots of prep. work as stated and a make shift booth in my garage.