Painting my 78 SC

MikeD48082 · 01-22-2005, 05:56 PM

I am 1 week away from starting to tear down my SC for a new paint job.
Any suggestions on how far I should go ?? I plan on removing all the glass, doors, decklid, hood, etc. What about fender removal ?? I greatly appreciate any help that anyone can offer. I would really like to see some pics if anyone has documented their restoration....

Thanks.

itsall911 · 01-22-2005, 06:09 PM

Hi, had my car painted last year. Did all the prep work my self, tear down, windows out, roof out, flatting the paint and re-build. Paint shop took the doors and lids off. Left fenders alone. Replaced all rubbers .Simon

MikeD48082 · 01-22-2005, 06:12 PM

Thanks for the info, How did it turn out ??

itsall911 · 01-22-2005, 06:15 PM

See'More G50 info please' A few threads down on this page.

MikeD48082 · 01-22-2005, 06:34 PM

Beautiful, now I'm even more motivated....

Thanks again.

afterburn 549 · 01-22-2005, 07:23 PM

your on the right track.....are you doing a collor change??......rip the doors off and take them apart...that way you will install all new weather striping and will be awsome!........dont forget the trunk area too

MikeD48082 · 01-26-2005, 06:54 PM

Yes, I'm going from red to black....
Any help would be appreciated....

Thanks

afterburn 549 · 01-26-2005, 07:38 PM

I did a coller change too and made a deal with the PPG shop dwn the street......I would buy all the pruducts from them (well most) they would ans. my questions and when done roll it into thir clean heated paint booth and they shot it.....I supplied 99% of the labor.....small charge by them to shoot it........right thing to do in my book

GBStu · 01-26-2005, 07:50 PM

Mike,

I painted my my 79SC last year the original color. I did the prep work and spraying my self, I used base coat clear coat. It took way more time than I thought, however, the rewards were worth it. Here's a couple of pics I took during the project:

Good luck

Stu

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

I did a complete paint job about 2 years ago. I took everything apart like the bumpers, rockers, trunk and engine compartment lid, all glass and trim. Since I didn't do a color change, the paint was "cut" at the the rubber seals at the door openings. My car was in the shop for two and a half months. Good Luck with your project!

strother · 01-27-2005, 11:09 AM

Two and a half months! Holy crap!

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

It was good to give the paint time to harden before reassembly. New rubber new seals, and pounds lighter cleaning all of the gravel and dirt built-up in all the nooks and crannies.

Argeo · 01-27-2005, 11:40 AM

Space is most important thing in my book, heat is number 2 if your in a cold climate area. Well maybe $ should be #1.

Not sure if you are doing the whole job or just part of it but the costs add up pretty fast. If money is no problem, which it was for me; just plow ahead. If you haven't looked into cost, you may want to before you start. Just a quick list of what I had to buy.

Compressor - $300
Primers- $320
Seals - $210
Paint Remover - $120 (5 cans of that aircraft stuff for likecoats of pant).
Solvents and cleaners - $75 (I am learning to get $.25 out of a $.05)
Sand Paper $75
MIG welder -$200 just for this job then it can blow up for all I care)
MIG GAS and accessories - $100
Had a grinder.
Misc - $100
Paint will probably run about $400.
Bondos - $45

Total: Approx $2K

If you don't buy the equipment, it will cost much more to have someone else do but you'll save on time. Obviously, if you already have the equipment, that saves a bundle.

About taking parts off:
I would say remove everything that you can. It is so much easier working the door jams when the doors are off. When pieces are off you can work on them anywhere too.

Taking fenders off, that is up to you. If you have the time and money great. I decided against because I just know it would have opened a whole can of worms. I tapped around with a hammer to look for problem areas in the wheel wells to search for rot and decided everything was pretty solid. I did have rot to correct but fortunately not in there.

Make sure to:
Set a time frame but realize there will probably be surprises along the way. Be prepared for the worst. You are bound to find things you didn't expect to find or have to do. Hopefully I am wrong which is not too unusual.

Not to deter you just want to give you a heads up before you strip and then decide it is going to take longer than expected due to cost and unexpected. It stinks when you can't drive. I am going on 6 months now. Ughh.

Good luck and keep us posted.

David