where to get paint job?

[Doppel]

Sand the car a little and sand real well on the rust areas. Then prime any bare areas that are metal or close to it.
Then this...

http://www.rickwrench.com/index79master.htm?http://www.rickwrench.com/50dollarpaint.html


This will work better than macco/earl shicb type places.

Damn, that looks nice @ 3 years. Paint seems way, way more susceptible to damage than a factory job, from what I can tell, but other than that not bad at all.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

Damn, that looks nice @ 3 years. Paint seems way, way more susceptible to damage than a factory job, from what I can tell, but other than that not bad at all.

ya, thats what I was thinking.

I am also looking at alternative options to use on my MR2.
I want to keep it the metalic silver though, which may be an issue.

Question for you guys about Maaco. If I prep it myself, do mean up to primer?

 

[NutBucket]

Prep to the point that primer is ready to be applied. There are special primers you use to find high/low spots when smoothing panels; that you'll want to use when prepping.

Also, remove as much trim as possible and do as much masking as you can. Ideally, you could get it all prepped and trailer it to Macco.

Prep is 90% of the cost of a good paint job.

 

[Lithium381]

I think that's the best best bet......prep it myself. i went to maaco today and they quoted me 1400 for the second cheapest level. 750 for the prep-work. I have enough free time, and this is a third vehicle, so if it goes unused for a month i doubt anyone would notice. i watched youtube vids, but the basic proccess seems to be:
remove trim
sand down with 80grain to bare-metal in the rusted spots,
apply bondo where needed
sand progressivly from 120 to 320 until smooth
apply primer
apply primer again
sand to 400

paint.

 

[sontakke]

If you are keeping the same color, you at least have a fighting chance. But if you are thinking about going for different color, just forget it completely.

- Vikas

 

[Zivic]

I think that's the best best bet......prep it myself. i went to maaco today and they quoted me 1400 for the second cheapest level. 750 for the prep-work. I have enough free time, and this is a third vehicle, so if it goes unused for a month i doubt anyone would notice. i watched youtube vids, but the basic proccess seems to be:
remove trim
sand down with 80grain to bare-metal in the rusted spots,
apply bondo where needed
sand progressivly from 120 to 320 until smooth
apply primer
apply primer again
sand to 400

paint.

you are missing a few steps and "apply bondo where needed" is a bit vague and is easier said than done.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

you are missing a few steps and "apply bondo where needed" is a bit vague and is easier said than done.

definitely vague.
THere are different kinds of body fill that you will be needing. The typical Bondo that people seem to talk about is a deep fill bondo. There is also spot and glazing putty you can buy to put over top of either that or over the primer.

Then there are also different kinds of Primer too.

Im still trying to figure this all out and am working on a quarter panel for my MR2 atm. Ill be posting an update in my thread once I learn a little bit more.

 

[Vette73]

definitely vague.
THere are different kinds of body fill that you will be needing. The typical Bondo that people seem to talk about is a deep fill bondo. There is also spot and glazing putty you can buy to put over top of either that or over the primer.

Then there are also different kinds of Primer too.

Im still trying to figure this all out and am working on a quarter panel for my MR2 atm. Ill be posting an update in my thread once I learn a little bit more.

What are you trying to figure out?

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

What are you trying to figure out?

The complete process from start to finish.
This is where I am at currently.

I have no clue what Im doing other than from reading the boxes that came with the products Im using and a few youtube videos. Right now its smooth as a babys bottom, but Ive most likely done it all completely wrong and will have to start from bare metal again.

What Ive done so far is
1.Washed the panel with dawn dishsoap to get rid of heavy dirt and grime.
2. Wiped it down with Wax and grease remover.
3. Sanded it down to bare metal (which took a LONG time because there was already a ton of bondo on it).
4. Cut out the rusted areas and welded in a new pieces.
5. Scuffed with brillo pad.
6. wax and grease remover again.
7. Rubbing alcohol to get rid of organic material (finger oil, etc)
8. Bondo onto the bare metal (the white)
9. Sanded with 80, 180, 400
10. Sandable primer (the dark grey)
11. Spot and glazing putty to fill in minor scratches and pin holes. (the red stuff).
12. Wet sanded with 400, 800
13. Sandable Primer again (light grey)
14. Let that dry, and then was able to see all my imperfections, so I did 6-13 on a few spots over again.
Now its hanging in my garage with more sandable primer on it.

Whether these steps are done correctly, or in the correct order, Im not %100 certain. Im just having fun figuring it out!

 

[Vette73]

^

Yea thats fine if not over kill. Most shops are no where near that anal and it turns out fine.
Don't go overboard with the primer. You don't want to many layers/thickness.