Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum DIY Paint Job?

I have an older Acura with a wretched paint condition, clear is gone on hood, roof and tops of fenders. Basecoat is pretty much gone there too. Body has the usual scratches and a couple of dents typical for its age. Interior is also atrocious.

Mechanically, the car is in great shape. It’s a 2004 TL w/ 250k miles. It’s a joy to drive, just looks awful.

I figure I can redo the interior for about $1500, but repainting is an issue. Everybody wants $3k+. Car isn’t worth $3k. It’s the metallic gray paint code. Selling the car isn’t an option, as it was a gift from family.

I’m contemplating tackling the paint job in my garage. Watching videos, etc. Redoing the whole car seems to drive toward a paint gun rather than rattle cans. I’ve got the compressor, decent random orbital sander and am pretty handy. I’d probably rig up a paint booth in my garage for it. Just haven’t taken something like this on before.

I’m guessing it’ll need some filler on the pass rear quarter where a garage shelf fell on it, but otherwise just the usual sand-prime-seal-paint. I’m not looking for like new, showcar, just something that isn’t totally embarrassing. I’d gladly pay someone $1500 for the work, figure I might could get it done for < $500 in materials.

What’s the forums’ opinion on tackling this kind of a job? Take a week off work and knock it out? Realistic cost? Don’t bother? Rattle cans are just fine? “So-and-so in N Bama will do if for ya’”?

I’m in Huntsville, but the car could be driven anywhere. Part of me wants to tackle it, just to learn how. But I also don’t want to get 30+ hours into it and way over my head.

Thoughts, experiences and advice please, folks!

I am watching this thread because I am in the same boat with 3 high mileage Toyotas in need of paint

At 250K I would not bother with paint & would just keep rolling as a beater/commuter car. If you insist, see if there is a Maco shop near you. Their cheap paint jobs aren’t terrible IMO

MACCO? I think if you take it ready to paint they’ll tape it and paint it for cheap

I know when I was a kid a school buddies dad did a truck. He framed up 2x4s cover with poly sprayed water in the poly on the ground and cut a hole in the wall poly and put a box fan at blowing out. I still remember it. It was mud 60s Chevy. It actually looked professional

My father years ago rattled can a Buick skylark, kinda same reason as you, it was painted but you could tell easily, now maybe with the proper setup it could turn out nice.

Go to one of the local trade schools or community colleges, talk to the auto body and paint shop teacher see if they’ll do it for you.

Before you get too set on DIY, contact Josh Spillman at Spillman's in Fort Payne. (256) 845-6749 You might be surprised...

Tell him Mark sent you. He repainted my green 1997 Jeep Wrangler and did a great job. Painted my buddies white Nissan Frontier too. He fixed my white Jeep Rubicon when I backed into a tree in my buddies yard. (Bourbon may have been involved in that last one...)

This right here. Most of them will do it for the cost of materials and, depending on the trade school, they have pretty good equipment. Walker county's trade school has a down draft booth.

As far as doing it yourself goes, you will spend a lot on equipment unless you already have it. If you are looking for very nice results, you will have a lot of time in prep work as well. Prep will make you or break you. You will need an HVLP gun and a compressor that will handle the volume of air flow and it takes more than you may think. The biggest thing is a filter that will remove the moisture from the air. If you're thinking a small Harbor Freight filter, you are wrong. You will end up with fish eyes for days. I painted my Jeep when I restored it. I took some adult night classes at the local trade school and was able to use their equipment for prep. I sprayed it at a good friend's body shop using his gun. It turned out pretty fair.

Tried to call him and the number has been disconnected. Also reached out to the Madison County Tech Academy but haven't heard back...

I'm not afraid to try it, not afraid to spend some money on it, just don't want to dive in and get overwhelmed.

Try this one... 256-844-0445

Painted the doors, front fenders, hood and windshield frame of an old Jeep YJ I had. I made a booth from 2x4s and clear plastic in the driveway and purchased the primer, paint and clear coat online. I used cheap harbor freight HVLP sprayers and a run of the mill home use air compressor with a water separator. Didn't have much in the whole set up. I was meticulous with the prep work and took my time wet sanding and buffing. It wasn't easy work, but I enjoyed it and had the satisfaction that I did it myself and it turned out excellent. I'd encourage you to try it. Be meticulous in your prep, strain your paint and thin it accordingly, set your gun up and test it before you spray. Also, buy a few of the cheap HVLP sprayers. I cleaned them well, but used a different gun for the primer, base paint and clear coat.