TehMonkay

iTrader: (-1)

So, I have decided, no seam or stitch welding, it's not worth it, however, i am still going to strip the whole car.

I'm going to either buy or borrow a body cart, and strip everything off of the car.

Then I am going to DA sand the entire car and put a coat of primer on it.

I also plan on covering the bottom with rubberized coating, fender wells also.

Now here is what I can't decide.

For $3500, someone local will paint the entire car, base and clear, in innocent blue mica, he will lastly lay down the rubberized coating. However this does not include assembly or dis-assembly. He does amazing work, some of the best cars ive seen, he has a candy red 240sx, he's done many other nice cars as well, he is a perfectionist with all of his work.

The car will also require sheet metal replacement, i have some bad rust in one wheel arch, small rust in another, a hole along the seam of one wheel well, a large one at that, and some bad rust at the corners of the rocker panels. This is included in the $3500 price.

However, this will take me around 3.5 months to have the money for, well, at the worst, plus i'm buying another $500 - $1000 in FRP parts, vented hood, fenders, lip etc.

So i'm wondering, if I buy a HVLP gun, and borrow(not buy) a welder, how much would I be looking to spend if I do all of the body work myself. i already have a rather large air compressor, so that is not an issue, i guess i also need a DA sander too :p, but i'd be buying that anyway.

Not to be taking any chunk out of another skilled worker's pocket, but I will be in school this fall, and I don't have money to spend on things like... labor, lol, outside of exhaust fabrication i've always done all of my pervious work myself.

I know i may have asked this question or something similar before, but not in so much detail.

Oh, and I do want GOOD quality paint, however, I don't know how to get any automotive paint, primer, clear, etc, so any info on that would be nice as well.

Don49

iTrader: (3)

Given your lack of experience, it would be worthwhile checking out your local vocational school with an autobody program. They usually will do the work for the cost of materials, and I've seen some pretty nice work come out of said programs. Generally speaking, they are not real quick in getting the job done. Although body work is very labor intensive, there is also a very steep learning curve to doing really nice work The difference between professional quality work and amateur is usually easily visible. If you have the welding skills, do the metal repairs and leave the finish work to the pro's. I am speaking from 30+ years auto body experience and have done award winning show cars. I do think your best bet will be your local vocational school for a reasonably cost effective job. Good luck!

freemanrx7

I see clean rx7's with no rust sitting in the junkyard here in cali!

Another way to go is getting a clean shell from the south (dry climate) and tow it home.

TehMonkay

iTrader: (-1)

The rust on it really isnt bad at all except for the spots i've mentioned.

It's actually one of the cleanest cars anyone has seen locally in a while.

Most of the spots couls probably just use body filler theyre so small, i'd just rather not go that way.

So i'm considering now doing everything except for the exterior myself, then taking it to someone else for the final exterior/engine bay paint and clear, wetsand, buff etc, since i know i could do sheet metal repair primer and rubber coating.

rmjmotor

if he is as good as you say, then it willbe worth it in the end

TehMonkay

iTrader: (-1)

If only I REALLY had that much money to work with.

Chaotic_FC

just don't come to Florida then