painting the car

[fctoyota]

i want to paint my car but i am short of money,
so decided to remove the paint myself and then have
someone paint it, i think i can save a few dollars like that
does anyone have a guideline or suggestion on what needs to be done
i wont be using the same silver but very similar
the solara is 1cf im using 1d4 (4runner silver)

[drewcrane]

have you painted a car before? i have done a few ,there is alot of info on what to do, i will say this its 90% prep,and once tha paint goes on that is is so make sure all the little dents, dings are taken out, and , make sure everything is CLEAN!.and take your time.

[Ilovemylara]

Theres alot of work involved when it comes to body work. Most of it is PREP work, which is basicly what you are wanting to do. Unless you have all the necessary equipment (air compressor w/at least 80 gallon tank, paint gun, expensive paint stripping chemicals, automotive primer, (NOT SPRAY PAINT) a dedicated space to do all this work, etc, then you're better off letting the body shop do it.

[fctoyota]

i have the compressor and the gun, im good at engine, electrically work
i replaced bumpers, fenders and hoods before
but i just want to do the prep work cause im foing to have a professional
do the paint

[QuickSEV6]

im foing to have a professional
do the paint

Painting it is actually the easiest thing to do of the painting process.
If YOU are doing all of the sanding, masking and dent removal yourself, you might as well just paint it yourself too.

Just be sure to get high quality paints.
Primer
Paint
Reducer
Hardener
These alone should cost you somewhere in the neighborhood of $700

[Donnie]

When I was painting I wouldn't touch anything someone brought me that they had done the prep work. If something happened with the paint people would always want to blame it on the sprayer.
Should be able to find lots of on line info to get you started.

[Black Bob]

^^^^I agree, the owner prepping and the painter painting is gonna cause all types of drama if the slightest imperfection pops up. Also, stripping paint off a car is labor intensive and intensely dirty. Besides gaining sciatica at an early age (look it up) you'll be spitting silver for a month. Hate to say it but a decent paint job ain't cheap and I've seen many people try it the non-traditional way and you can see their suffering in their heavily flaking orange-peeled hood, fenders and doors.

[99BlackSandv6]

Good luck with everything. I hate the paint on my car, some of it looks terrible. Stupid botched hail repair!