Canadian 73 Cuda Restoration; Project Sassy.

[twalker]

GYSOT fellas!!!  Time to crack beers open.

[Topcat]

Looks Great!!

Nice work done in a Garage.

  

[twalker]

Looks Great!!

Nice work done in a Garage.

  

Thanks man!

[dodj]

 
NICE!!
 
Hope I can do as well in my garage

Nice work twalker 

[Paul97]

Inspiring Results     

[twalker]

Thanks guys

[daaboots]

Excellent work! Any tips for a person that has never painted before? I'd like to paint mine myself in my garage but I'm a little bit afraid of making a huge mess. What kind of equipment are you using?

[twalker]

Excellent work! Any tips for a person that has never painted before? I'd like to paint mine myself in my garage but I'm a little bit afraid of making a huge mess. What kind of equipment are you using?

Thanks!  This was my first time too.  Don't be afraid, it's doable. The hard part is actually the lead up to painting, all the body work to make the panels straight.  I spent 6 months just blocking and prepping panels - I usually put a couple hours in each night, more on the weekends.  Not every night but most.  Here are a few tips I can pass on:

Equipment -
Air compressor is critical, min 60 gal tank and 5hp, good CFM rating, 15-18 I would say.  And a good air dryer min 25ft away from the compressor
air tools - 6" DA sander, air file, jitter bug, ...
Paint guns - get the three gun system! Primer gun, top coat gun, detail (small) gun.  I chose devilbliss starting line - very happy, great price and great guns.
Blocking kit - dura block is what used and 'soft sanders' is another branding kit I highly recommend
Rotisserie or hoist if you are doing metal/body work under the car
Strong and stable saw horses for blocking panels off the car
Large orbital polisher, 8-10 inch wheel, for the cut buff and polish
And all the usual tools to pull the car/panels apart.

Materials -
I sorely underestimated the amount of sandpaper and hi build primer I needed.
Part of this I'm sure is my inexperience in blocking panels, likely use less on the next car.
Choose a good quality paint system and use the whole system - epoxy primer, hi build primer, top coat.  I decided to use eurothane because of my research it should be more user friendly - and I have to say it's great paint.  I chose DuPont nason products, see below for pictures.
Get good quality filler, it'll make your life easier, and get a very good quality polyester finishing 2 part filler, key for the final stages of blocking.

General tips -

The Internet is your friend ... I learned from reading and watching videos.  I watched everything from Kevin tetz, YouTube and paintucation - huge help for me.  Like how to block a panel.

Get a test panel and practice!  I did this to start and it built my confidence.

Patience ... Patience ... Patience ... There were times where I lost mine, it's very tedious to get panels just right.  But it's what makes the paint job turn out.

I'm sure I'm missing some stuff but it's a start.  Let me know if I can help more.

[daaboots]

Thanks. Looks like I have a lot of research to do!

What about preparing your garage? Did you put up plastic sheets and use some type of an exhaust fan? I'm just wondering how you controlled the dust.

[74 challenge]

ohh man if I painted a car drinking labatt's there would be water marks everywhere - the tears of my tastebuds. 

I would also be interested in pictures of the setup in the garage. I don't think he tented if off because there is green dust in all the pictures.

[twalker]

Hi guys, I only covered the things that matter in the garage with overspray plastic sheeting.  No tenting, etc.  I have a window in my garage which fits a household box fan perfectly.  I run it high speed when painting.  That's it, nothing special.  Of course I make sure the garage is clean.

[twalker]

Next stage complete...




Should have the doors, mirrors, deck lid and rear valence on the car this weekend.  Yeah!

Also spending time this weekend doing the cut, buff and polish.

Cheers guys

[anlauto]

I think you should paint cars for me 

The trunk lock rod cover hanging in the last picture should be black

[Topcat]

Hi guys, I only covered the things that matter in the garage with overspray plastic sheeting.  No tenting, etc.  I have a window in my garage which fits a household box fan perfectly.  I run it high speed when painting.  That's it, nothing special.  Of course I make sure the garage is clean.

Do fumes go into your house?

I've heard this is something to prepare for; like taping the door shut.

[twalker]

Hasn't been a problem so far.  It doesn't take long for the overspray and deep fumes to exhaust out.  The garage smells of paint for awhile of course.