Cheelee21

So My cars Paint is messed up nd i Really dont have the funds to give it a nice paint job could i just sand it down put primmer on it tape it up nd use auto zone touch up car paint?

bigtimegambler

I would recommend buying a cheap spray gun (assuming you have an air compressor), prep the car, and then buy a couple gallons of rustoleum in the colour you want. Much better than a rattle can job. Then you can add clear coat to it, and clay bar/polish it. I imagine it would look quite good.

kp

Make sure you do your research on the rustoleum paint job (called the $50 paint job on many forums). I believe only certain clear coats will work on top of rustoleum as it's typically used as a single-stage paint.

Cheelee21

Thanks alot i might try that

acmoc

Plastidip it. That way when and if you're ready you can remove it easily and paint.


Also more easier, many colors and covers imperfections better.

bheinen74

use real paint.
its all about prep work, and wetsanding.

bigtimegambler

plastidip looks cheesy. Paint or bust

dacrxguy

Don't do plasti dip I recently had my car painted and it set my painter back a couple days and more money on my end to remove the plasti dip

v4lu3s

personally i would not mess with it. i have done rustoleum roller paintjobs, some rattle can. on the 3rd car i saved the money and time i spent on the prior cars and put it towards a decent paint job and was MUCH happier in the end.

cjwang2

I got my car vinyl wrapped for a fraction of the cost of a new paint job. It has been on the car for over 3 years now and it still looks great.

Before:


After:

James89DX

That looks great, and I have been very impressed with the color/depth of wraps in recent years. Definitely light years away from even 6-7 years ago.

However, I'm astounded at the price tag on full body wraps. They're usually $2k+, and the people who get them (and the shops who install them) usually tout them as being a "budget" option instead of "more costly" base/clear paint jobs. That has always just blown me away.

Especially on these small cars, you can get a legit very nice base/clear paint job from a genuine shop for a $1,200-$1,300 if the car needs very minimal to no body work, and if you are willing to remove your own taillights, molding, etc. to make for a nicer job. I got mine painted in base/clear for $1,300 total, and that even included painting the door jambs and a new hood purchased/installed by the shop.

So - you stated you got your car wrapped for a "fraction" of the cost of a new paint job. Do you mind telling us how much?

I also want to clarify I'm not trying to criticize at all, I've always just been fascinated by how (seemingly) most people feel that spending $2k or more is less expensive than a real paint job.

*edit* Also, can you post some more pics of your wrap? It looks great

acmoc

I would have liked to see an attempt at some slight cut and polishing on the paint of that red civic. It looks recoverable, if not with a slight patina charm.

cjwang2

Hi all,

My vinyl wrap cost me $750 (labor and materials) without me doing a single item of prep work, minus washing the car. But, I did not get it done at a professional shop. I got it done from a guy who lives close to me who is trying to start his own vinyl wrapping business. Fast forward 4 years and he is still doing it, but he said that he now would charge $1,000 for the whole job.

Here are some more pics during the process, and as it sits today:

Before:



During:





.







Pic from a couple of months ago:

acmoc

Man! that's great

I'm going to be plastidipping a edm wing soon. I will post the results here soon. As I will later be doing the rest of the car.