Not really sure if this should go to the appearance forum but here it goes. This is my first time to post pics (using search). I'm not sure about the size if it is too big.

Removed all accessories, front fenders, bumpers, hood, skirts, rear hatch.
It was supposed to be just a wash over but when I started sanding, I noticed multiple layers of putty so I just scraped everthing down to metal.

My door was hit by a stupid female driver but instead of reforming the door, I bought one from Japan surplus


A lot of parts, hope nothing got lost

I used epoxy primer and about 2 liters of filling material and putty to smoothen small door dings, etc... and after 2 coats of urethane paint, here it is



Need some reqork on the left door where I removed the mouldings and shaved the holes it left.

My primed hood, ready for painting




Update:
After applying 2 coats base color, I lat it dry overnight. The next day I sprayed 4 more coats. Make sure that before applying the next coat, the paint is dry but still sticky to touch. I did this by spraying on a piece of tin can every coat so this is where I make the touch test.

Then I let it cure again for 2 days putting the car under the sun at noon and in the oven at dawn. Before I applied the clear, I wet sand using 1200 grit sand paper to even things out. After 6 coats clear while waiting for it to cure, I assembled the interior, rear hatch glass, tail lights, skirts, rear bumper, fenders and door handles. This is how it looks like. Sorry for the dark pics, it was a very long day.





Yes the motor looks like **** and it is about to go. I'm still thinking of a mini-me turbo or B16A. Anyway the paint is my priority now.

I will be buffing it tomorrow so the clear is really cured. I do not want to rush.

EDIT: The problem of painting white is tat after some time, it turns yellowish. The technique is to spray 1 coat black after applying bondo and putty on un-even surfaces. Then apply the base coat white about 4 to 5 coats. When applying clear, the first two coats should be a mixture of base color and clear (ratio is 2 parts clear to 1.5 parts base color). Then the next 3 to 4 coats should be pure clear only.

After buffing, the rubber flushings on the windows and wind shield, rubber mouldings on the roof, front bumper, head light assy, and hood will then be assembled for a nice clean job. After more than 3 weeks of work, the interior is as dirty as hell. I'll clean everthing this week end and post pics of the finished product.

As for now, hope this gives inspiration to some of you who have the ***** to paint ur own car. I'm not saying its easy but as you see the progress, it makes you feel proud and save you a lot of $$$!!! The whole paintjob cost me 225$ and the paint booth/equipment cost under 200$.

EDIT:
And now, after 27 days of back breaking work, here is the finished product. I love how it shines. Hope you guys appreciate it as much as I do.




[IMG]http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wMzY5MDM5NnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg[/IMG[/URL]]





Well thats it for the DIY paintjob. Hope I earn moer $$$ for the next project, the motor. I'll be happy to answer your IM's about the project if you want to DIY like I did, sure saved a lot of $$$.


Good day to all!

Modified by Emong3 at 2:00 AM 4/21/2004


Modified by Emong3 at 4:26 AM 4/21/2004


Modified by Emong3 at 4:28 AM 4/21/2004


Modified by Emong3 at 4:29 AM 4/21/2004


Modified by Emong3 at 2:02 AM 4/26/2004


Modified by Emong3 at 5:55 AM 4/26/2004

 

Quite a big DIY job, but looks good from here!

 

Damn thats alot of paint. I didnt know you were suppose to use that much. You could paint my house twice with that amount. But its looking good so far.

 

Looks good, but the rims are fugly

 

nice job.. finish that up...

No offense, but where in the world do you live!?!??!? Looks like some Asian country..? Only reason I say that is that lil kid jumping up and down on the couch... haha

 

Looks like it is coming along well.
where are you located... it doesn't look like america. I know that has nothing to do with the paint, but...

 

i would like to see a nice write up on "how to prime for paint"

 

yeah it should be in A/C ...but i really would like to see how it turns out....good luck and take your time man

 

lookin good.. keep up w/ the progress pics..

 

can't wait to see the final result.

you seem to have the right thought process to do this right

metal > bondo

 

Im from Manila, Philippines. That kid at the background is our neigbor. I forgot to close the gates.

Sorry if you dont like the rims but I'm broke now because of the materials I bought for the paint job. I'll jut paint it too for the while and save $$$ for new rims.

 

Is that door an OEM part or a reproduction piece?

 

nice work so far.....

 

I was so exited I forgot to take pics of the car when it ws primed.
Well, after scraping the paint, I sanded it with a 250 grit, then used a degreaser and cleaned it very well. after that I used putty to even things out. and sprayed a thin layer of epoxy primer on the areas. When it was done, left it for 2 days to dry. It is summer here and the weather is very great for curing the paint. When all parts are even, I sprayed a thin layer of urethane white paint and inspected for waves, made some re-work, set it cure and spray.

 

You could save some money on the clear but if you got it already then go with it. Just remember though, it doesn't matter what brand paint/clear you are using if you don't cut and buff it properly it will still look like an orange. Lay as many layers of clear on as you can so you have a good amount to work with. Spend the time and wetsand it down properly and buff it. The cheapest quality paints and clears look 100 times better with a good cut and buff than the most expensive materials with not cut and buff.

 

nice work. how do you get the trim piece on the quarterpanels to come off? without breaking all the fasteners.

 

damn man! nice work.

i want to check out the finished product.

 

Its an OEM door, it's much cheaper to get oem than reproduction part. I got the door for only 40USD. It is from a chopped EG4 from japan.

 

damn great job. my driver side door was also hit by a female driver and her insurance paid for my whole car to get repainted. keep up the good work.

 

I have bought the materials that I need. I used Anzahl Urethane. Price is just a few dollars lower from PPG and Dupont but the quality is much the same. Took me about 200USD for all the materials that I needed for the painjob - 1.5 liters tafeta white urethane, 1 liter epoxy primer, about 2 liters putty, 1 liter clear coat. A lot of rags and sand paper. That doesn't include the spray gun, overhauling my compressor, DIY paint booth with 10 - 500W halogen lights and exhaust fans.

 

thats some serious work for DIY looks like all is going well. good job hope all continues to go well

 

that is some good work

 

I hope you're having fun in the process, 3 weeks and counting for a paint job isn't worth it for me. Looks good so far though, props.

 

I would never have enough ***** to do a DIY paintjob Looking good

 

looks good

now
wanna take my offer of .50 cent for it?