Sudox_E

Well, im the proud owner of a 85 gs, and I noticed that the original dark grey/silver paint is starting to get pretty worn out. Over the years chips, scratches, and fading has taken over. So I figured, why not try to paint my own car? No body work is needed, and the car is rust free (except those damn wheel wells , but theyre getting fixed!). So it shouldnt be too hard, right? and as far as costs... lets say 100$ for prep, 200$ for a decent spray gun, another 100$ for random equipment, dont know how much paint is going to be, lets say 200-300$. So 600-700$ for a decent paintjob, that is if i take my time and do everything correctly. I could be totally wrong in my -it wont be too hard- logic, if so let me know. I'd like to hear from other people who have gone down this road, and maybe get some tips. Ive been reading over some books and tutorials, and I have experience with paint prep, and I would like to give this project a shot.

damon

I will be doing this as soon as it stops raining in south Georgia, I already have all of the equipment and paint , as well as most of the prep work done. I took the car for some quotes since I am changing the color and they ranged from 1700-2800 just to paint. I bought the compressor, sprayer, filters, sanding and fillers (not bondo) and the paint for less then 800. It will be going from the metallic grey to black with sapphire blue metallic racing stripes. Good luck and it is not too hard (only finding a shop to paint in is hard).

peace

Diablorx7

where did you buy your paint from? I found a website that doesn't sound to bad http://home.att.net/~brer/paintad2.htm

Mr. ImportGuy

There should be local auto paint places around (supply shops). I would recomend going into one and talking to the people about the different paints, and the best way to apply them. That way you have someone local to go to for answers, and you will end up with the right stuff for the job.

damon

I paid 250 for 1 gallon grey primer, 1 gallon clearcoat, 3 pints hummer flat black (reducer premixed), 1 pint sapphire blue metallic (reducer premixxed), 1/2 gallon hardner, and two gallons of thinner. I also paid about 50 for Dolfhin Glaze, which is similar to bondo but does not absorb water and it is only used to fill in knicks and scratches.

peace

Eville140

Absolutely buy your paint local. And with paint you usually get what you pay for, so pass on the really inexpensive stuff. I repainted my mustang a few years ago, used an acrylic enamel base with a urethane clear and it turn out way better than I ever imagined it would of. I am in the process of repainting my rx7 now. Just take your time and read as much info as you can. When it turns out really nice and you can say you did it yourself it is pretty cool.

Here are a couple painting forum links
http://www.autobodypro.com/wwwboard/wwwboard.shtml
http://www.autobodystore.com/cgi-bin/config.pl?index



Later
Randy

Narcisse91

In a recent issue of Sport Compact car, they painted a 240SX / Silvia project car with spray paint. I know, it sounds ghetto, but the pictures looked sweet. It was a flat black, which is probably the only car that will really work, but it got the job done.

Total cost : like $20


PS. This wasn't a post to try to convince someone not to get real paint and real equipment, this was just throwing an option out there for anyone checking out this thread to see who was painting their car on their own.

Sudox_E

I also plan on changing the cars color from grey to black. Thanks for the help guys, its reassured me in this project. I found a local paint store, which I'm going to check out later this week. What spray guns are you guys using? and in general, whats your equipment setup?

HadaGSL-SE

iTrader: (6)

hey eville,
Do you have pic of the car from the back without the rear bumper, i think it looks badass in the picture.

Eville140

Here is the best one I have right now.


There is a rx7 on car domain where he removed the bumber and filed in all the holes and smoothed it out.
I will be putting a bumper back on as soon as I can find one in good shape.

Later
Randy

1genrx7

We painted rx7 in backyard with black primer spraypaint for $18.00, it looks good for now. Having problems posting pic will try later.

JEC-31

Well, I was about to start my own painting thread when I saw this one and decided to hi-jack... err, I mean join it.

Just finished reading David Jacob's "How To Paint Your Car" twice (much thanks to the Purple 82 for recommending it) and here's my list of required items:


Phase 1) Sanding paper, blocks, discs
Body filler
More sandpaper
Paint stripping disc
Lots more sandpaper!
Paint stripping chemical, lots of rags

Phase 2)On-gun air regulator & dryer (already have compressor w/ filter and a cheap gun)
Paint:
Primer surfacer
Sealer/adhesion promoter
Color
Clear
Reducer (suited to local weather at painting time)
Flex additive (for airdam)
Mixing cans, sticks, and filters
Wax & grease remover
Tack cloths
Gloves, masks, aprons, goggles
Paint booth:
Sheet plastic
Power stapler, staples, lath strips
Fans & filters
Saw horses (for bumpers, hood, airdam, etc)
Professional paint masking tape & paper

Phase 3) Buffing & polishing compounds (already got a used buffer)
Wax

Additionally, the car will require new rubber grommets for side mirrors, new weatherstripping all around, etc.

The unibody is covered with a thick & scratched coat of Corvette red, over faded original 1982 RX-7 red.
The doors, fenders, hood, and front valance are factory 1985 Tender Blue. Right now I'm acid-converting and rattle-can priming the rust on the driver's side floor (too much spilled coffee?), gotta do the same to some rust on the '85 fenders from mudflap holes.
Also need to patch some rust holes in the rear hatch water drain groove, some no-longer-used targa-band screwholes, and make damn sure the nice rear wheel wells are secure against future rot.

This is tenatively scheduled for this summer. First, though, I plan to do a complete practice run through: all the way from rough stripping to waxing the finish on an extra scrap hood from my parts heap.

-Josh

Sudox_E

I was talking to a guy from a celica board the last night, who is a professional I-Car certified auto body refinishing technician. Anyways, he has a good writeup for begginers looking to paint their own car. check it out: http://celica.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb...;f=36;t=000379 . I thought it was fairly helpful, and it made me want to get started on this project right away even more