He is definitely right on this. When I painted mine the paint alone was
over $200.00 and then you add in sand paper (very expensive), body
tools, fillers, thinners, and a whole lot of time.
Don't know if I would do the paint and body work by myself again.
Mike
Nowroc
nruff wrote:
> Even when doing it yourself, materials aren't cheap. To do it properly
> requires coating the car up to 10 times (if not more). Of course this all
> depends on the painting system you are using.
> 1-etching primer (for bare metal)
> 3-"fill-n-sand" (wetsand for good finish)
> 1-sealer
> 2-basecoat
> 3-clearcoat (this can vary depending on desired finish)
>
> All this adds up and with the cost of paint and primer, can add up to easily
> over $500 (if your lucky).
> Get the best you can afford.
> Nruff
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Robert Porter <drrebob@usnetway.com>
> To: Michael Tarelka <mtarelka@home.com>; <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2000 6:30 AM
> Subject: Re: Paint Job Expense
>
> >
> > Michaelo Trealka wrote:
> >
> > > I was wondering what your experience is with painting a Roadster. How
> > > much did you pay and what steps did you take to insure a good job.
> > > Lastly, is there some Guru, with paint ability, that you would
> > > reccommend?
> > >
> > > My last paint experience was $39.95 in 1966.
> > >
> > > Thanks in Advance
> > >
> > > Michael Tarelka
> > > Alameda, CA
> >
> > Michael:
> >
> > It all depends on what you expect for a finished product (are you simply
> > trying to avoid embarrassment for driving a beater or are you looking to
> > show the car?), and how much work you're willing to do yourself. You can
> > start by asking around for a reputable body shop (NOT one that advertises
> > the $39.95, specials!), take the car in, and get two estimates:
> > 1) If they do the whole shebang, which can range from $800 - $1200 on up,
> > depending on how much body work needs to be done; and
> > 2) What they would charge to do the finish coat if you do most of the prep
> > work yourself. If you're at all handy, and the car doesn't need serious
> > body work or rust repair, then you can get a book on auto refinishing, buy
> a
> > pack of assorted sandpaper, sandable primer, body putty and some bondo for
> > small dents, take off all the chrome, lights, insignia, and get ready to
> put
> > a lot of elbow grease into it. You can rent a compressor and spray gun
> when
> > you need to apply the primer. (Be sure you check with the paint shop as
> to
> > which primer(s) to use, as everything has to be compatible with the finish
> > coat. Test your sprayer skills with some old sheets of cardboard, and
> don't
> > be afraid--primer is very forgiving stuff, dries fast and can be applied
> in
> > amounts ranging from small spots to the whole car.) Once you get into it,
> > you will understand why a good paint job is expensive. It's extremely
> time
> > consuming, more art than science, and if done well, the hardest part is
> > undetectable when completed.
> >
> > Good luck
> >
> > Bob (no, that's not polish on my fingernails!) Porter
> > Harrisburg PA
> >
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