Custom Car Painting on a Budget
Everyone wants a great-looking paint job on his or her car, but it’s not cheap. Since most of the expense of a custom paint job is labor, learning to do the work yourself using tips from the pros can save you money.
Veteran author Dennis W. Parks joined body shop owner and TV personality Rick Bacon with Custom Car Painting on a Budget to show you how to paint your car. With the knowledge provided in this book and your willingness to learn, you can be driving a car with a custom paint job of which you can be proud. Step-by-step photos and easy-to-follow directions cover everything from paint removal and disassembly to final reassembly. This book includes chapters on ways to reduce cost, perform minor bodywork, strip old paint, install patch panels, do surface preparation, mask, paint, and maintain the finish.
Bodywork, surface preparation, and buffing are all labor-intensive tasks that quickly add up at the local paint shop. With the knowledge provided in this book and your willingness to learn, you can be driving a car with a custom paint job that you can be proud of. Get professional results at a fraction of the cost with Custom Car Painting on a Budget.r
Dedication
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Introduction
Chapter 1: Paint Job Costs
Skill
Quality
Experience
Materials
Equipment
Work Space
Environmental Regulations
Safety
Paint Products
Tools
Chapter 2: Bodywork
Hidden Issues
Purchase Price versus Expense to Finish
Have a Budget and Stick with It
An Adequate Work Space
Push Your Limits or Contract It Out
Strategy Development
Start with a Small Project
Determine the Type of Existing Paint
Disassembly
Collision Repair
Paint Stripping
Metal Replacement
Simple Patch Panel
More Complex Patch Panel
Body Filler on Bare Metal
Custom Bodywork and Modifications
Chapter 3: Surface Preparation
Aligning Panels and Fitting Gaps
Sanding Blocks and Paper
Is Going to Bare Metal a Necessity?
Chapter 4: Masking
Masking Tape
Masking Paper
Small Area
Roll Masking Film
Large Area
Work Area
Drop Cloths
Chapter 5: Primers and Other Substrates
Epoxy Primer
High-Build Filler Primer
Guide Coat
Sealer
Reducer
Before You Spray
Wax and Grease Remover
Mixing and Application
Chapter 6: Top Coats
Matching an Existing Color
Matching Any Color
Selecting a New Color
From Toner to Paint
VOCs
The Best Coverage
What Best Suits Your Skill Level
Single Stage
Base Coat/Clear Coa
Multistage
Waterborne
Before You Spray Paint
Simple Repaint
Color Change/Total Repaint
Painting a Car
Chapter 7: Reassembly
Tape the Edges
Enlist Some Help
Reassembling the Heavy Parts
Block Sand and Prime the Exterior Panels
Layout and Mask for Custom Paint: Part 1
Layout and Mask for Custom Paint: Part 2
Layout and Mask for Custom Paint: Part 3
Transfer a Pattern for Custom Paint
Apply the Final Paint
Bumpers
Glass
Factory Trim
Grille
Miscellaneous Parts
Chapter 8: Perfecting and Maintaining the Finish
Wet Sanding
Rubbing Compounds and Buffing
Overspray
Extra Details
Repairing Small Nicks
Keep it Clean
Final Words
Source Guide
Everyone wants a great-looking paint job on his or her car, but it’s not cheap. Since most of the expense of a custom paint job is labor, learning to do the work yourself using tips from the pros can save you money.
Veteran author Dennis W. Parks joined body shop owner and TV personality Rick Bacon with Custom Car Painting on a Budget to show you how to paint your car. With the knowledge provided in this book and your willingness to learn, you can be driving a car with a custom paint job of which you can be proud. Step-by-step photos and easy-to-follow directions cover everything from paint removal and disassembly to final reassembly. This book includes chapters on ways to reduce cost, perform minor bodywork, strip old paint, install patch panels, do surface preparation, mask, paint, and maintain the finish.
Bodywork, surface preparation, and buffing are all labor-intensive tasks that quickly add up at the local paint shop. With the knowledge provided in this book and your willingness to learn, you can be driving a car with a custom paint job that you can be proud of. Get professional results at a fraction of the cost with Custom Car Painting on a Budget.r
Dedication
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Introduction
Chapter 1: Paint Job Costs
Skill
Quality
Experience
Materials
Equipment
Work Space
Environmental Regulations
Safety
Paint Products
Tools
Chapter 2: Bodywork
Hidden Issues
Purchase Price versus Expense to Finish
Have a Budget and Stick with It
An Adequate Work Space
Push Your Limits or Contract It Out
Strategy Development
Start with a Small Project
Determine the Type of Existing Paint
Disassembly
Collision Repair
Paint Stripping
Metal Replacement
Simple Patch Panel
More Complex Patch Panel
Body Filler on Bare Metal
Custom Bodywork and Modifications
Chapter 3: Surface Preparation
Aligning Panels and Fitting Gaps
Sanding Blocks and Paper
Is Going to Bare Metal a Necessity?
Chapter 4: Masking
Masking Tape
Masking Paper
Small Area
Roll Masking Film
Large Area
Work Area
Drop Cloths
Chapter 5: Primers and Other Substrates
Epoxy Primer
High-Build Filler Primer
Guide Coat
Sealer
Reducer
Before You Spray
Wax and Grease Remover
Mixing and Application
Chapter 6: Top Coats
Matching an Existing Color
Matching Any Color
Selecting a New Color
From Toner to Paint
VOCs
The Best Coverage
What Best Suits Your Skill Level
Single Stage
Base Coat/Clear Coa
Multistage
Waterborne
Before You Spray Paint
Simple Repaint
Color Change/Total Repaint
Painting a Car
Chapter 7: Reassembly
Tape the Edges
Enlist Some Help
Reassembling the Heavy Parts
Block Sand and Prime the Exterior Panels
Layout and Mask for Custom Paint: Part 1
Layout and Mask for Custom Paint: Part 2
Layout and Mask for Custom Paint: Part 3
Transfer a Pattern for Custom Paint
Apply the Final Paint
Bumpers
Glass
Factory Trim
Grille
Miscellaneous Parts
Chapter 8: Perfecting and Maintaining the Finish
Wet Sanding
Rubbing Compounds and Buffing
Overspray
Extra Details
Repairing Small Nicks
Keep it Clean
Final Words
Source Guide