Have you ever painted a car yourself?

[Skytrooper]

I've painted airplanes and helicopters...does that count ?

 

[slimt]

I've painted airplanes and helicopters...does that count ?

Yup sure does.
Did 8 years of that as well. And still do the odd one.

 

[jaws]

I have done all of mine, just take it slow.

 

[Cranky]

Never done a whole car but done panel work too. Last one was a fender on my daughter's Pitiful Thing and it came out nice and my shop is dirty as can be with open ceilings and the like. What I did was dampen the floor well, closed the doors and stuck a box fan in the west window and a filter in the east side window (light breeze from the east) for some ventilation and did it with B/C paint. Didn't bother to cover the tool boxes or the machinery either but if I were to do a whole car, everything would get covered up and would probably hang plastic to cover up the open ceiling.

 

[Hikin Mike]

I did my Firebird. They guy I bought it from was a friend who had some painting experience, so he was there for "moral support". At that time I was in the USAF and the base had just made a new auto shop, including a new paint booth.

 

[slimt]

I did my Firebird. They guy I bought it from was a friend who had some painting experience, so he was there for "moral support". At that time I was in the USAF and the base had just made a new auto shop, including a new paint booth.

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I havent seen a suction feed gun in a long time.

 

[Hikin Mike]

I havent seen a suction feed gun in a long time.

That was "a few years ago"...lol. Probably around 1989.

 

[dadsbee]

All I own are suction feed, that and the Wagner Electric!

 

[slimt]

All I own are suction feed, that and the Wagner Electric!

You still got the wagner? Those put out a wide pattern.

I. Still use a Greco airless for aircraft , lots of cleanup after ,but a wide pattern with little mist.

 

[slimt]

That was "a few years ago"...lol. Probably around 1989.

Dating our selves here.

 

[dadsbee]

Not the same one from '77, but yes I have one I bought in 95 to spray all the doors in the house in one shot in the shop.

 

[barbee6043]

IF you have lots of $$$$ pay a pro and hope you get it back before 2033.
If you have the time, have access to the needed tools/supplies, go for it and remember 95% of success.
Remember that paint can kill you.

 

[Skytrooper]

I have, and still use a suction gun. I'm cheap and don't want to buy a new gun when the one I have still works fine. Plus, it is what I am used to.

 

[69a100]

This was my first attempt, after 15 years in the western sun has faded it. Fresh after paint still puttin it back together.

 

[slimt]

This was my first attempt, after 15 years in the western sun has faded it. Fresh after paint still puttin it back together.
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That looks like a cool looking ride.

 

[Kern Dog]

I've painted several. I also am no expert but my stuff comes out decent. That is a relative term though. What I consider decent may not satisfy a paying customer.
There is a tremendous amount of labor leading up to spray day. For me, there is almost always some degree of work after the paint or clear is dry. Stuff gets in the paint whether it is an eyelash, a bug or a spec of dirt. I have come to accept that some stuff just has to be redone. All my work gets sanded and buffed. I've done cars that look every bit as good as some I've seen from professional shops. That may not be saying much, take it how you want.

 

[Kern Dog]

 

[bandit67]

AS K Dog has said , The worst critic of your paint job will be YOU, and that makes you try better with learning on the next one.....

 

[Skytrooper]

Those look pretty good KD !

 

[Kern Dog]

Thank you. I like body and paint. It can be really frustrating work though!