Destiny is not with me, or my Z

[bpilati]

d240zx2, actually I have shopped a bit and most don't want to touch a classic car job (i.e., restoration vs collision).

[JimmyZ]

I was...no..wait...still AM where you guys are. I could barely afford to do anything to my Z. It seems that life pulls us and our money in different directions.

I think you'd be surprised how easy basecoat/clearcoat is to spray. I sprayed my own since I couldn't afford the $400 the local bodyshop guy wanted to charge me for applying the topcoat. (Yes, I was so strapped I couldn't spare $400:) ) If you screw up the base or clear you can save it with some sanding. The forgiveness of BC/CC is truly amazing compared to the way things were thirty years ago.

This is a bad time of year to paint in anything but a heated booth/shop. My bodyshop friend has several diesel fired burners going outside his spray booth when it is cold enough. (Booth enclosed in shop of course) I imagine the paint booths up north need more elaborate heating.

The truth is that everyone is affected by our economy and very little is cheap anymore. Women, cars and food are a lot more expensive than they were 20 years ago. Buying paint, primer and other supplies is a real blow to the wallet. If you go with a lesser line like PPG's "Omni" line and can stand/work with it's reduced quality you can achieve decent results. In the Omni line you can get 1gal base and enough clear for around $200-$300.

Here's a page I made for DIY types. I've done a few cars and enjoyed this as a hobby while learning from a few mistakes.

http://warbuddies.homestead.com/RestoHelp.html

2c

Jim

[fuzze]

Bryan , my factory paint was the same 920-gold , around 20 years ago it was painted out black so that the car didn't look like a manila envelope blowing down the street ," this was the prior owners comment '' , personally I like the color .My spare tire\trunk area is still this shade and when I paint next year ,the paint in trunk area will stay the way it is . It is spotless and gives me a feeling of originality . If my pics posted , check out my gallery and you will see what I mean.

Chris

[bpilati]

I just need to find a body guy who'll do the work for a reasonable price. It really needs expert attention.

[Ramses]

Try doing what I did. Strip everything and I mean everything off of the car. Tow it to the shop that has a garage in the back with the owner doing some of his own restoration projects. Tell him you will leave the car for a long while if he would work on it when he is slow. When the shop guys start to work on it, buy them beer for when they have finished their day. Stop by and get to know the guys working on your car and maybe after a year and a half in the shop you will get the quality of paint and body work that I did for $1500.00 excluding paint and parts. Oh and hopefully they will allow you to start to put the parts in the car when they are getting close so you can drive it home when they are finished.

[zman525]

heh I wish I was even close to getting my car painted. I have spent 2 years working on it spending lots of money but to be honest it doesnt look like I have put a cent into it, it looks more as if I've been parting it out. Luckily there is a collision and restoration center where I work, but I got a quote from them and I'm still looking at a hefty chunk of dough. I'm considering doing all the prep work myself, priming it and having them just do the final coats. As mentioned early, atleast with the prep coats u can screw up and fix it. Best of luck man, and remember its always best to wait and get it done right than rush and not get what you want.

[Bonzi Lon]

I think I have you all beat on time to get a car painted. I've waited 27 years!! The painter gave up after primer in 1980 and I just pushed it in the back of the barn. Avitar 2006. It wasn't supposed to sit for that long, but glad it did, no daily driver demo derby, or just being thrashed, trashed and crashed.

After the Rip Van Zwinkle sleep it is now blue and I have rust free antique Japanese sports car. Is that possible? Magic barn? I am so glad now it was time capsuled and not sold during the sleep.

One other thing: The engine was completly rebuilt at the dealership before the painting fiasco. Less than 1 hour running time. Should be on the road March 08 when it becomes an "Official Antique."

Bonzi Lon