prep for paint?

[HcOiNvDiAc]

im thinkin about painting my civic championship white ,its black right now and just want get the outside painted and keep the inside blacked out...i wana do the prep work but i need to know just what i should use to go about it and to have it ready to drop off at the shop to paint ....i also just need a ruff est. on how much it will run just to have the outside painted

Registered and logged-in users don't see this ad! Register your free account today.

[delsol161]

first of all, do you have experience w/ prep/paint?

[rzarectah]

for real cuz its some serious ish, you can spend a ton of money on the paint and have your car come out looking like crap because of a poor prep job

[rzarectah]

oh sorry i forgot, as for price well im not entirely sure, i got my Accord (its pimped out) estimated at around 3g's for just a regular job at a body shop, i thought it was too pricey and didnt check around at any other shops but just remember, u get what u pay for... yo...

[delsol161]

Originally Posted by rzarectah

oh sorry i forgot, as for price well im not entirely sure, i got my Accord (its pimped out) estimated at around 3g's for just a regular job at a body shop, i thought it was too pricey and didnt check around at any other shops but just remember, u get what u pay for... yo...

no doubt. you can get a cheap one from some place like Maaco, for anywhere from $300-prolly a grand (depending on everythnig they do). however, my paintjob i'm doing would be equal to nearly $10,000 after body & paint.

and if you don't know how to do it, don't bother w/ prepping it. the best thing in that situation that you can do, is clean it really well, and make sure there's not grease or wax on it when you drop it off.

[rzarectah]

exactly, but even when u take it to Maaco, dont get skimpy (im not talking about your clothes dude, come on focus here!) the "ambassador" paint job is shit. they will mask everything, even moulding, and do a bad job at it, but like i stated many times b4, u get what u pay for, Paint aint cheap! u think this is a game?! this is real F*&#in' life! Protect ya gotdamn neck...

[delsol161]

don't get me wrong... i h8 maaco. lol.

[rzarectah]

me too, maaco sux ass, i guess we are the only ones replying to this one huh?

[pomansouth]

prep is 99 percent of the job... I know a guy that paints on the side, doesnt have a paint booth or anything like that, but he paints show cars, that actually are schedueled for shows before they are even painted. He isnt cheap but he is GOOD. He know what he is doing. He even says, paint booths are for novice painters, take it for what its worth. It always helps to know someone.

[delsol161]

well, i also have no booth. the shop my dad works @ does, but i paint in our garage. or @ school, but we have a $100,000+ booth there. i disagree w/ him though. booths are for the smart painters, not juss novice. they make sure the paint comes out as perfect as needed the FIRST time. w/o one, you risk dirt and a million other imperfections. quite a risk on show cars. if you're good enough, it doesn't matter, but you end up using more material, more time, and more energy removing the materials...

[whiteEJ8]

Originally Posted by HcOiNvDiAc

im thinkin about painting my civic championship white ,its black right now and just want get the outside painted and keep the inside blacked out...i wana do the prep work but i need to know just what i should use to go about it and to have it ready to drop off at the shop to paint ....i also just need a ruff est. on how much it will run just to have the outside painted

Sand it with 600 grit wet sand paper unless you have a DA sander, hit the edges with 600 or scotchbrite. Keep the sandpaper contantly wet. It will sand quicker this way. It is very important to make sure there is little or no gloss left especially on the edges. If you have dents, scratches or waves in your panels I would leave it to the professionals for that. I don't know if you plan on masking it or not. It may seem simple but one little mistake in your masking can cause some nasty imperfections. Minor chips and scratches and be filled with putty or feathered out and primed.

Like everyone has said, preping is the most important part. Take your time and don't half ass it. Make sure the shop uses primer sealer since your color is going from one extreme to another.

[delsol161]

Originally Posted by VTEC-Power

Well I help my friend paint cars for a living, since we are both in college we enrolled in a autobody class for anyone who wants to, and use there spray both

Originally Posted by whiteEJ8

Sand it with 600 grit wet sand paper unless you have a DA sander, hit the edges with 600 or scotchbrite. Keep the sandpaper contantly wet. It will sand quicker this way. It is very important to make sure there is little or no gloss left especially on the edges. If you have dents, scratches or waves in your panels I would leave it to the professionals for that. I don't know if you plan on masking it or not. It may seem simple but one little mistake in your masking can cause some nasty imperfections. Minor chips and scratches and be filled with putty or feathered out and primed.

Like everyone has said, preping is the most important part. Take your time and don't half ass it. Make sure the shop uses primer sealer since your color is going from one extreme to another.

VTEC, where do ya'll go to school together?


whiteEJ8 is exactly right. if you have ass it, your paint will suck. if you don't think it looks right when you're done, juss tell the shop that you aren't sure if it is preped completely or not. let them see it, and if needed, let them finish the prep. i guarantee you won't regret it.