To build a car or truck at home you have to possess certain skills. Which skills depends on the depth of your project, with some requiring nothing but the ability to remove and replace parts. But when people think about building a project there are a few things that really tend to freak people out. Building an engine or a transmission, chassis or roll cage fabrication, and paint and body work seem to be tasks we often hear people admit to being scared of. Now I’m no professional engine builder, but I’m not afraid of assembling one either. Same goes for transmissions. Chassis fabrication? I’m down. But tell me I’m going to have to pain my own project, and I’m going to giggle and bit and shake my head no. I’ve got friends like Kevin Tetz, Mike Dusold, and Jay Ligtenberg who all paint cars without a second thought, and who have all at one point or another told me to quite being a wimp and to just do it. Well I’m working up the strength to take that plunge, and thankfully on a car that is so ugly as is that I would have a REALLY hard time making it worse.
So I’m going to figure out a plan to make it happen. But it still scares me. I’ll have to have one of my buddies around to keep me inspired and confident. But I can do it. I am sure it will be a learning experience.
What do you think? Would you paint a car at home? Or is the thought of painting your own car just too far out there? If painting doesn’t scare you, what does?
Not if you are still into those four wheeled hobos known as rat rods!
I did a colorcoat/clearcoat on my Spitfire in one of those temporary carport tent things.
Came out pretty decent.
I learned by doing. 1st a work truck that we had to replace a fender due to wall and truck interface. Not terrible and learned a lot. Next, tractor for a friend. Learned that everything you skimp on in prep shows up in paint. Start small, lawn tractor, kids wagon etc. practice makes perfect! Good luck
Paint is not that hard as long as you have the patience to do the prepwork the right Way. Prep is everything in a good paint job. There is no skipping any steps or rushing it. He next thing is using the right materiale and not buying cheap stuff. Its a bitch having to do it all again cause you were slobby or cheap. Do it once do it right.
I did my brother’s Scamp in a small two car garage a couple of years ago. Biggest issue is additional color sanding due to the inability of getting the overspray out of the air in a closed area. (As well as seeing what the hell you’re doing!) Yeah, I used an HVLP gun, but it’s going to be hard to see doing a whole car without proper air movement.
If you\’re in the Los Angeles area, I\’d suggest looking into this…https://oem-auto-paint-spray-booth-rentals.business.site/
As stated above, proper prep is key prior to pulling the trigger, and then having a clean and safe breathing environment while spraying is huge as well.
I have never painted a full size car, only models,but having some airflow in your garage is a big plus in having a good if not great paint job.
I have done both base clear and single stage in the shop, you need good ventilation as the death fog from clear will kill you, go with the single stage and “ buff it out”
Ive done 4 complete cars in the garage … and several bumper covers & fenders,doors
My cousin and I flip cars and we have found having the car 1 solid color even if it’s a 10 footer we get more money than if we try to sell it with a mis-matched fender or door
I got started by taking a class at my local community college
I have done @ 20 streetrods in my extra garage, won a lot of trophy’s with them. Good prep is the deal!
No , i hate sanding and really good at orange peel finish .
Body work costs are insane!!!!!!! I would definitely consider it.
agree with all comments
I’ve painted 4 cars for myself. It’s not that hard, but it is time consuming and you must have patience to get all of the details and prep correct. But doing it yourself cuts the cost in half.
I painted my 69 Firebird in my garage with a 20\” box fan and filter on it. Made a paint booth out of rolls of poly. The base coat went on fine. When it came to the clear, i couldn\’t see shit! lol One big fog. Had to add another fan to clear it out. Turned out not bad for first paint job. Air exchange is the key. And a proper air mask. Used a small electric air pump for air. Worked good.