Almost ready for paint...what should i do?

[lester]

Been working all summer on sanding down my 78 280z 2+2 and it is finally almost ready for some paint. It is all down to either original primer or bare metal in the rusted spots. I just covered the spots with some rust inhibitor today, and now my z looks like someone colored it with a purple crayon haha. Have to put the front fiberglass fenders on, and find a hood, and then it should be ready for some paint. Question is how much should i spend on the painting? I have a msa type 2 body kit that will be going on the car as well, which im pretty sure im going to have whoever paints it put on sense ive heard its a pain. I plan on keeping this car for the rest of my life sense it is my first car. I just dont know whether i should go all out and get a really good paint job, or just get an average one that will do for the next couple of years. Everyones opinion is greatly appreciated.

[cgsheen]

If it's a keeper, and you have the money, pull the glass and weatherstrip and have a quality paint job done. "All out" means different things to different folks... You can get a very good (and long lasting) paint job without necessarily going full restoration or custom. But then, that depends on your pocketbook.

[jasper]

This is meant as advice, not abuse.

 

If this is your first car, I suspect you're very young, with lots to learn.

 

If the picture you posted is the car in its current condition,

it's not ready for paint.

 

Body work is the hardest, most tedious,time consuming auto repair to accomplish.

 

Many "professional's" work leave much to be desired.

 

My suggestion to you,

read up on body work, learn the basic techniques, do the best you can,

in a reasonable amount of time,

and get a cheap Earl Shieb paint job.

They are more fun to drive, than do body work on.

 

You will be very surprised how flaws show up once painted.Don't waste your money

on an expensive paint job.

Oh Yeah,.......cars and women come and go, This one won't be your last

[lester]

Thats what ive been thinking, not get something too expensive so i can drive the car and enjoy it and not be worrying about the paint at all times. And yes i am a 19 year old college student. Plenty to learn still. One thing was i shoulda waited on buying a z instead of buying one when i was 10 to restore. Going to be putting way too much money into it, but its the sentimental value that counts. The picture was taking a couple weeks ago. Have done quite a lot more sanding sense then. Still need to get the quarter panels patched up, and obviously get the front end back on before its ready. Been a lot of fun learning with this car though. Ha and love your last quote...think i found a new motto to live by

[Oddmanout84]

I painted my Z for the first time for about $300 total. That's paint, primer, activator, reducer, mixing cups, gun etc. The paint used was Transtar single-stage urethane. I did not opt to remove the doors, windows and weatherstrip. It came out *ok* besides some minor flaws in the paint and was a good learning experience. The paint, though on the low end of the cost end of the spectrum, held up very well over the years. It would have held up flawlessly had I not decided later to delete my sunroof and cut and weld various bits for the flares and fuel filler. Of course, I will have to do it again, and this time I will do it completely right with all the necessary disassembly. What I learned was that it's better to go cheap on your first paint job (though not dirt quality) for your first, especially if you plan on any modifications later on down the road. If nothing else, the experience of spraying it once will give you experience to use a better technique for the next time. Keep in mind that my reasoning is based on doing ALL the work yourself and not taking it to a professional painter.

 

Of course, you could always go full out and hopefully not worry about painting it again for a long, long time but it will cost you.

 

My vote is still on the cheaper paint job.

[lester]

I agree with you, the cheaper route right now seems to me the best option. I wish i could spray it myself, but dont have the space to paint it, or the time to do it myself. Im hoping to find someone who can primer,paint, and install the body kit for 1500 or less. Hopefully it works out