Painting advice

[AJM944]

Hey all,

Well my new front spoiler is installed and all of my cookie cutter rims have been stripped down and clear coated, which look very nice by the way! (I want to thank all those that pointed me to a few tech articles out there.) Although what I’m about to do next may just shock a few of you! *So be prepared*

Were going to strip her down, and paint her!!! She is already Guards Red, but the color has deteriorated and faded since I have owned her and the orange hood doesn’t look good at all.

I have done some research but I would like to hear from those who actually have painted a 944 themselves. I mean, is it worth it? Would you do it again? I understand that it would be a lot of work and the commitment level would be high but, I do have the time and the willingness to learn. Please keep in mind that I do not oppose to bringing the car to a professional but as I see it I have done a lot of work to this car, and maybe it’s a pride thing? I would also like it if anyone knows of tech articles or documentation out there that would help me further.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you
AJ

[binky]

I have offered this advice before and I still feel it is the most cost effective and fun route to go. If you have a community or junior college in your area, and they have a body shop class, sign up for it. It is cheap and you can get your 944 painted within a semester. You buy the paint, they provide the paint booth and spray gun. I painted an old Ford Ranchero in the class and it came out perfect. But, if you decide to paint it in your garage/driveway, I have also done that route. I rented a compressor and bought a gun. Came out okay, I used lacquer, so I was able to remove all of the bugs afterwards!

Professionals charge an average of between $2,000 and $5,000 for a paint job these days.

Good luck!

[Scott R]

$4500 for me, including some body work at the same time. I'll post a pic if I can find one.

[Roastin944]

Hell yah its worth it to do it yourself, will save you a truckload of money going this route. Plus you get to learn something about body work and painting in the process. My paintjob is on the way, should cost less than 500 bucks, should also turn out perfect!

-John

[robm-951]

A friend and I painted mine this past summer. We did it in his garage with an HVLP gun and compressor he had. You can see some pictures of it in my signature link. Total cost ran about a grand. This included a lot of new seals, gaskets, 968 door handles, rocker schutz & applicator gun, and some new clear wheel well protectors.

Rob

[Roger Hall]

I dont know if I would spray it myself, but alot of what body shops charge for is the prep. Also alot of paint jobs are less than perfect because they do not remove all the trim. If you sand it yourself to the body work and remove the trim (mirrors, door handels, door seals, and window seals maybe bumpers and headlights and rear hatch also). Then have it towed to the paint shop for the spraying. You might save enough money and have the perfect paint job. I have been thinking about this but I have not done the research yet.

[Frank B]

I had a '79 Ranchero, with a 351. Very fast car. handles like a pig though.. I gave it to a Mechanic that I knoew who was looking for one. It ran fine and was in fair condition. He just needed a car and I had one sitting there. They aren't worth a dime.. so, I gave it to him. He was just a nice guy and always gave me excellent service. So, I was nice in return.

Frank B

[green944]

Originally posted by robm-951
A friend and I painted mine this past summer. We did it in his garage with an HVLP gun and compressor he had. You can see some pictures of it in my signature link. Total cost ran about a grand. This included a lot of new seals, gaskets, 968 door handles, rocker schutz & applicator gun, and some new clear wheel well protectors.

Rob

I am thinking about doing this as well. How did you do all the jams etc... or did you just paint it the same colour again?
Also, I was thinking about painting the spoiler on the back as well. Has anyone done this? I know it will be a little harder as the paint would have to be flexible, but I am looking for an idea as to how much harder it would be.
Thanks

[robm-951]

I am thinking about doing this as well. How did you do all the jams etc... or did you just paint it the same colour again?

I went with the same color. I did clean and lightly sand the very inner lip of the door jambs to help blend and adhear any paint that got in the jamb. I also did strip the car strip the car down (i.e removed the mirrors, door handles, rear spoiler, hatch, etc) before painting. If you notice in the pictures, I also painted the rear bumperettes and the mirror surrounds. While these parts are flexible, they are not nearly as flexible as the rear spoiler. I would think you would have a hard time getting anything to last on the rear spoiler without cracking. As far as I've heard, the flex additives aren't going to give you enough flexability for that.

Rob

[Scott R]

Do the complete strip down. In the end I removed the following:

Windsheild
Rear Hatch
Quarter Windows
Sunroof
All lights (exterior)
Door handles
Mirrors
front clip (less the fenders)
Hood
Door latches and catches
Stickers
Stone guards
All exterior rubber and gaskets
Alarm lock
Rear Spolier
Wipers
Emissions stickers in the door jam (you can get new ones at the dealer)
Door glass
Door skins
Bumperetts


Also to answer your question yes you do need to use flex additive on the rear spoiler and font valance. I had them mix a hybrid of Glasurit and PPG flex additive to do all of my flex parts. If you don't the paint will falke off in a few years. Also if you can swing it use the factory Glasurit, its not much more and it really brings out that factory look.

I am attaching some pics, the first is from a concurs that I took first in, the second was last summer after its first wax.