I see many people who paint their own car/parts, and I have a question for them. How much would it cost me to paint my car. I mean everything. The paint spray gun, the paint, any chemcials needed before painting, (i think you use gas to spray the paint right?) the tank. Just give me a rough estimate please.

Also, could you guys explain the process and ammount of time and skill needed?

 

First, you'll need an air compressor. Buy one with a big tank so you keep constant pressure. I got a 6hp 30 gallon Craftsman for about 220 after my associate discounts.

Get 2 spray guns. One for primer one for finish. I like to use siphon feed for primer-cheaper gun. Cost about 50 bucks. And get a good HVLP gun for the finish. Betwen 100 and 500 bucks.

You'll need either orbital/recipricating/ or hand sanding. Depending on body work and filler.

You'll need filler. Cost about 10 bucks.

Sand paper. Only use 3M. Run between 10 bucks and 300, depending on how much you need. Different grits. Don't use lower than 120 grit on the weak paneling. And up to 600 to 1000 for wet sanding.

Self etching primer. Lay down over filler and bare metal. Urethane based runs about 100 bucks with reducer from PPG for decent stuff.

Primer Sealer or Sandable Primer. Could run up to 200 bucks with reducer, and cheap as 50.

Masking tape, paper, and painter's plastic. About 20 bucks here.

Actual paint with reducer and hardeners, depending on type and color, could be between 100 bucks and 1500.
Clear coat optional- depending on type of paint.

High speed polisher to polish after wetsanding clear coat- optional. Use 3M Perfect It. Run about 50 bucks plus cost of polisher.

To buy everything it could end up being as little as 500 bucks or up to 5000. It depends on products you use. BUT, when you do it yourself, you know what goes into it and the quality. Don't take any shortcuts.

You could rent a paint booth or use fans and painters plastic with a wet floor in your garage. It's all about a clean work environment. Go to a body school first, You'll learn a LOT!

 

body schools. hrm. Didnt know they existed, but i guess it would make sense they existed. Know any good ones around NY?

 

I know some good ones in Washington state! You should have some technical community colleges around there. I know of 2 good ones in the Spokane area. If not, just TALK and TALK and ask questions, LOTS of questions. You can buy books and read up on everything. Go to your library if you need to. Find a good paint/body supplier and talk to them. I've learned a lot just from those guys about paints and prep. Start there! They'll get you setup with what you need. It's all technique and product. Get good can control too.

 

haha, where the hell did you get that idea?

well, price all depends on what type of paint and paint system you plan on using. Of course equipment has different prices as well. So its too hard to give you an estimate.

if you dont have access to spraying equipment and AIR COMPRESSOR (NOT GAS -HAHA) then it will cost you about the same as having your car done at the shop with quality.

If you have no prior experience painting, then I dont recommend that you try it on your own. Of course there are websites that give you tips on how to paint, but there is so many variables that you have to learn or else something can go wrong (causing you to lose a ton of money and time)
Also bodywork/painting is a hands on type of learning which takes a lot of time to handle.

If you are still willing to paint on your own, without the experience then expect to: have a very bad paint job, repaint your car more than once, spending more than twice the money and time than having your car done by the pros, and EXTREME FRUSTRATION!


I'm painting my own car and spent so far: a little more than $1,500 BUT I have some experience! All this was spent on all supplies and equipment (spray gun, urethane House of Kolor Paints-primers, sealers, gold paint, kandy paint, clearcoat) The car had custom body work done to it as well, done by me..Meaning that this is a show/street/strip car that I am building

goodluck on your decisions! AND DONT USE GAS!!! hahahahahahaha

 

I don't know where that gas thing came from either.

Here's the thing, if you don't have access to the supplies, do not buy them or do the job yourself unless you plan on doing so again in the future. I've painted a few cars and am doing my truck over again, so when I decide to do my Civic, I pretty much have everything but paint. It is costly. Just go step by step.

 

Gas as in Air, CO2, N2. etc... not like fuel...

 

you need air, but from a compressor. Make sure you have hoses with NO water in them and run with filters.