If you really want to paint it yourself, the topic is far beyond what can be pointed out on this board. Go get a book - Haynes makes a good book specifically on bodywork and paint. Follow that up with the myriad of web sites that talk about what it takes.

But you need to think seriously about what it takes to do the job yourself, and also think about what you are willing to accept as a "decent job." If you don't have very high expectations, then you can do a cheap job and get OK results that probably look better than the current paint. If you want a really good job, listen to Ims in his message - it takes LOTS of work and time. Plus, you have to have a serious air compressor and a decent paint gun, and depending on the paint you buy, a respirator - buying those items will already put you past the cost of having a cheap shop do the work.

Having painted a number of race cars, I've found that the paint alone for the "easiest" job (a no-buffing type that goes on pretty thick and is really pretty easy to apply) costs about half of what giving it to Earl Scheib or Maaco costs. The results have been wildly ranging in quality depending on whether we needed the car painted for a race in a month from now, or if it needed to be painted for tomorrow's event. (grin)

I'd suggest saving your money, pull off all the trim stuff you can, then take it to Maaco or Earl Scheib and have them do their second from the lowest quality paint job. Getting the trim off will keep them from masking those parts and keep the paint in one smooth patch which will keep it from flaking off at the mask points. I did a quick check of Earl Scheib and you're only talking about $275 for the job (after they charge you environmental fees and tax on top of their advertised price). I had this done on my car in high school and the paint outlasted the car.

posted by 205.174...

• Does anyone know how to paint a car?, Tyler, Mon, 18 Nov 2002 15:24:28
  • Yes n/m, Chaz, Thu, 21 Nov 2002 04:31:02
  • I have done it but wouldn't again., Gary, Wed, 20 Nov 2002 14:55:43
  • Yup - have someone else do it (grin), Erik K, Tue, 19 Nov 2002 09:01:11 <-- Viewing This Message
  • CarCraft magazine...hie thee to a library!, JohnB, Mon, 18 Nov 2002 19:02:21
  • Re: Does anyone know how to paint a car?, lms, Mon, 18 Nov 2002 18:02:03

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