Paint Advice

"whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU" (whiskey-business)
07/07/2016 at 08:04 • Filed to: None

There comes a time in every cars life where it decides to shed it’s skin and become a beautiful butterfly. And by that I mean have all the paint peel off. My S40 has reached this metamorphoses, and I desperately want to make it look halfway decent once again.

However, my budget it small, and so too are my options. It seems the best option at this point is to bite the bullet and paint it myself on the cheap. Do it right, of course, using a compressor and paint gun, temporary booth, and whatnot. And the other option is Maaco. Anyone have any experience with either here, and willing to advice me on what to do?

Nice looking S40 for your time.

DISCUSSION (34)

Tripper > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/07/2016 at 08:11

No personal experience with a re-paint, but a friend had Macco re paint his miata black (it was Hulk green). It was a few years ago and I want to say it was around $1000, maybe more like $800. Paint was ok, but it was just the outside. Inner door sills, underside of hood, trunk you name it, still hulk green.

Somethin' 'bout a truck > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/07/2016 at 08:14

dip it?

LongbowMkII > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/07/2016 at 08:24

Paint is 90% prep. If you do all the work I bet a decent shop will cut you a great deal.

Marijuana may or may not be extremely useful for the repetitive tedium of sanding. Work in circles. YMMV.

OPPOsaurus WRX > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/07/2016 at 08:33

have you considered getting a vinyl wrap? That might be able to carry you thru til you can afford to do it the more expensive, permanent way. I’ve just head horrible things about macco. I’m guessing doing it yourself isn’t as easy as spray painting a table but i also have no idea what your experience is so who knows, maybe you can do it.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Tripper
07/07/2016 at 08:34

Well, I’m considering keeping it red, so I don’t think that would be the end of the world. Good insight though.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Somethin' 'bout a truck
07/07/2016 at 08:35

Considered it until I had to scrub off PO’s shitty plastidip job. Ain’t going back to all that. Took almost 10 hours for one racing stripe.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > LongbowMkII
07/07/2016 at 08:36

Will keep that in mind, I do not partake but it seems logical. Is a rotary or random orbit sander a good idea?

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > OPPOsaurus WRX
07/07/2016 at 08:38

I have a little experience painting my school’s FSAE car parts, but not too much. I considered a wrap but the paint under would be so bad I’d worry about rust. I’ve heard awful things about Maaco as well, but for the price? Eh?

Tripper > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/07/2016 at 08:45

Yea definitely the cheapest way to go, keeping the same color that is.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Tripper
07/07/2016 at 08:53

Yeah, I’d like to change it, but I’m not sure I’m ready to pay 50% more to do it.

Tripper > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/07/2016 at 08:59

Yea I would also want a better quality job done if I was changing colors which would probably double the price again.

LongbowMkII > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/07/2016 at 08:59

A dual action pneumatic sander was always on the wish list, but it’s quite possible me and my friends were morons. There ought to be plenty of paint threads out there. And as always, take your budget and time frame and double it haha. Sanding and prep can be very labor and time intensive.

OPPOsaurus WRX > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/07/2016 at 09:32

maybe do a quick coat of primer where it needs it and then wrap?

Monkey B > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/07/2016 at 09:40

here’s the thing, that guy at Macco paints cars all day every day, you don’t. I guarantee you it’d turn out nicer done there then under a tent in your back yard. If you need to rent the equipment, you’re probably not suited to get the desired results. Every Macco is independently owned, so you have to vet them. They also will give you what you pay for and are capable of better than you think...it’s just they will do what is asked as where a regular shop will quote you a do it right price only. I have a good local Macco, and have prepped a car or two and shipped it over there to get sprayed (even though it’s the only enjoyable aspect of the job, prep is hard and hard on you)

Have you considered material cost? Since you need to buy more than you need it would cost more than paying for a cheap spray to buy proper paint (unless you go cheap single stage) plus necessary sandpapers, tape, paper and other various supplies.

I’m not trying to sound like a jerk, but I painted cars for a living and it’s not easy. The application is the easy part that requires the most skill, and just like a good meal there is plenty of unseen work in the kitchen for a good one. Prep isn’t just grabbing some sandpaper and having at it. Those small dings and imperfections you can’t see, they show up under new paint. Sand that scratch out, did you feather enough? Did you finger fuck it, did you leave assholes all over the place from having at the bad spots with a DA?

If you’re intent to do it yourself then get on some youtube videos and see what’s what for prep. It’s not impossible to paint a car and have it turn out OK, it’s just unlikely as in this case you don’t have the equipment or even general knowledge of the process. If you want a spray bombed car like that dude with the green Buick, then ignore me and have at it.

The wrap is an excellent alternative. Good ones are supposed to last 5 years, I’ll guess this car belongs to someone else by then. If you have a local vo-tech or community college with an auto body program they sometimes offer night courses where you can have at it with your own car and have some proper guidance along the way.

OCD-CO > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/07/2016 at 10:17

I will tell you this as I just finished spraying my new WRX bumper last night. I say “finished” because it is finally ready for cutting and compound.

Here is what I will tell you. IT IS A HUGE PAIN IN THE @$$!!! I am a can do it type of guy and I knew that it wouldn’t be easy. It was not.

Bumper - $200 OEM

Mounting brackets and hardware - $150 OEM

Adhesion promoter, 2 part primer, 2 part base, and 2 part clear - $285

3 mil tarps for 3rd bay (paintbooth) garage - $25

HF HVLP gun - $50

Compressor I had - $350

Finishing products (haven’t bought) - $150

Miscellaneous - $100

That is $960 for a bumper cover!!! $1310 if I had to buy a compressor.

I have painted many a thing in my time. This was my first proper car paint job. I will admit, I had to take it back down to base coat after I had too much orange peel on the finish. After I redid it I had learned what I did wrong and it is absolutely stunning, seriously!!!

So after about 20 hours and $1000 I have a new bumper cover for a 13 year old WRX. Because I did so well I now have a bumper that looks like it should be on a Ferrari and a WRX with an entire body that doesn’t look good.

So what am I saying?! You are in for a lot of debt and time to do a car. Alone you will be looking at $700 in paint supplies. Add everything else up and you learning and it is not a good idea!

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > OCD-CO
07/07/2016 at 14:17

I appreciate the advice, but will Maaco even hold a candle to diy?

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Monkey B
07/07/2016 at 14:21

Best answer so far, I love hearing and deferring to the pros. It seems like finding a good local Maaco and going a few steps up from their cheapie paint job is probably the ticket for me. I thought about a wrap, but the paint underneath is so trashed I’d be worried about rust in Michigan winters. Is that possible? I’d love to do a wrap and be done with it if possible, but with flaking clear coat I’m not sure.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > OPPOsaurus WRX
07/07/2016 at 14:22

That sounds reasonable to me, I’d like this car to last and I’m not sure if that and a wrap agree.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > LongbowMkII
07/07/2016 at 14:23

So I’ve heard, and dual action anything sounds like money. I’ve read a number of paint threads that make it sound easy, but I guess the shitty ones never get written about.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Tripper
07/07/2016 at 14:27

Totally agree, and if I’m gonna do that Ive gotta save some money first.

OPPOsaurus WRX > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/07/2016 at 14:28

yea i know nothing about wrapping. I’d thinkn it would keep everything waterproof and it would not rust but i have no idea

LongbowMkII > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/07/2016 at 14:38

If you've already got the air tank/pump it shouldn't be too bad. They go from $60-600 depending on brand/quality.

OCD-CO > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/07/2016 at 15:07

I’d rather paint a car myself than use MAACO. I have never seen a “good” paint job from them. My brother took his Subaru there and they didn’t even scuff the paint for the new basecoat?! Peeled in less than a year.

If you have a place to do it, another car to drive, want to try/learn, and have the money to buy the necessities, then do it!!!

Or call your auto insurance company and ask who they provide for collision repairs if you were filing a claim. Insurance usually uses mid to good level repair places with warranties. Find out who they use then call them and get an estimate. If it is $3000 then save up, charge it, sell blood, etc.....

If $1500 then all the better.

Tripper > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/07/2016 at 15:08

I would say go for a wrap, but I just recently looked into that... 3500-4k!

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Tripper
07/07/2016 at 15:32

I’m working on getting quoted for that, locally it’s looking like under a grand which ain’t bad.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > OCD-CO
07/07/2016 at 15:33

I’ve heard the Maaco stories too, makes me wary. However, this is my only vehicle. . .

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > OPPOsaurus WRX
07/07/2016 at 15:33

That’s my thought, but I know nothing as well.

Monkey B > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/07/2016 at 18:30

I’m no expert on wraps, and my vinyl experience is limited to decals and stripe kits. That said, vinyl isn’t porous, so if you are worried about what is happening below the wrap I’d say nothing as there will be no moisture or air to cause oxidation/rust. If you put vinyl over rust it will act as paint does and you’ll see similar effects, and I’d imagine the panel edges are more important than the middle in regards to prepping loose paint.

I imagine when they prep a car for a wrap they clean it and address any loose paint, possibly sanding and priming any spots that would create adhesion issues or poor aesthetics. Likewise with dings, dents and scratches with the likelihood it’s less time consuming than paint prep as it doesn’t need to be finished as meticulously.

Again, I’m no wrap expert, but I imagine those are the keys to the prep work. What kind of car is it? Is it factory paint or a respray that’s peeling? Is it flaking or just oxidizing and dissipating from too much high speed polishing in the past (turning white/surface rust)?

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Monkey B
07/07/2016 at 19:50

Car is a Volvo S40, it is indeed a peeling respray located on the roof only, and the clear coat only is peeling. The base coat seems to be completely intact.

Monkey B > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/07/2016 at 20:02

there’s a good possibility the rest of the clear will come off with air pressure. So long as the base is in tact there will be no issues with a wrap. If you let it continue, eventually the base will erode and possibly the undercoat and you’ll get surface rust. That’s probably some time from now.

Wraps aren’t cheap from what I understand, about the cost of an inexpensive respray ($1-1500 for a basic?), but you can get more for your money that way. If the rest of the car is ok and it’s just the roof giving you issues maybe just have it painted.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Monkey B
07/07/2016 at 20:32

Considered going that route, but people around here want huge money for repainting red cars. Like, 4500 for a cheapie paint job. Wrap for color change seems to be an ok option, my quote for a quality wrap came in under a grand.

Monkey B > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
07/07/2016 at 22:01

red is expensive, but it shouldn’t add thousands to the cost. I’ve been out of the industry for a while but that sounds excessive. Is the body extremely beat up? Dents/dings etc?

Even if you found someone at half that the wrap is considerably cheaper. I’d highly consider it. Why not wrap it in red? Would look better when you open the doors/hood/trunk and would be an easier sell in the future. Matte red would look nice I think. You thinking silver like the photo? I like that.

Me, I’d wrap it. But vet them too, try and find cars that are a year into it and see how they look. Check for shrinkage in tight corners and color fastness. Cheap vinyl tends to shrink and grooves, tight spots and inside body lines around moldings will tell the tale of their product choice. 3M is probably a safe choice, but there may be varying levels of quality and a glut of other manufacturers I’ve never heard of due to popularity. I know when I apply a decal it’s obvious if it’s cheap or quality.

Monkey B > Monkey B
07/07/2016 at 22:09

Just checked your profile to find pics. I like the red, and if the panels other than the roof are in good order I’d leave it and just paint the problem areas. Any dings and dents find a paintless dent removal tech. If you have any residual glue from the stripe and emblems use Xenit Citrus Cleaner form Stoner products. You can get it on Amazon or maybe some local outlets.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Monkey B
07/07/2016 at 22:10

The installer I’m looking at has an excellent clientele including camo work for test mules (I live in Detroit), a lot of corporate car advertising, as well as some really nice looking consumer cars they’ve sent me pictures of. As far as my cars body condition, it’s a Florida car. Outside of the clear coat issues, no rust, one door ding, nothing else. Ive gotten the same story about red and how it’s 50-100% more than other colors from every shop I’ve talked to so far. All in the thousands.

For color, I’m torn between matte red as you mentioned, the dolphin Gray in the picture in this post, and Polestar Blue. (3M gloss sky blue). They have offered to wrap the jambs as well if I do the prep, which I’m all for as I’ve pulled them apart several times before to reseal the doors.