Painting questions.

[Stewart]

Well it looks like the time table on painting my MG has been moved in the good way and it's looking like I will be doing the paint and body this summer vs. next fall or early spring. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I do have a few questions as this will be the first car I’ve repainted.

While I'm not looking for a concourse paint job I am looking for a good job that’s going to last as long as possible. Are there any types or brands of paint I want to avoid?

Cost obviously this varies on the amount of work needed but generally what would be the average cost for paint work assuming the body was striped down to metal prior to the painting with minimal body work needed. Also for stripping the body I’m thinking about having the body media blasted any idea on cost?

When it comes to shops what do I want to look for in them? Any signs that scream run away?

 

[shorn]

If the car is going to be stripped, I assume that all the trim will also be removed. I am in the process of having my Austin Healey painted now. PP&G gave me some guidelines for a high quality job:
1. Clean and sand the bare metal
2. Apply 2 coats of DPLF epoxy primer with hardener. Let dry 48-72 hours.
3. Apply 3 coats of K36 as surfacer, dry 24 hours
4. Apply a guide coat of SXA 1030 and block sand
5. Apply 1-2 coats of K36, dry overnight, block sand.
6. Apply sealer
7. Apply DBC base coat
8. Apply DCU clear coat.
9. Lightly wet sand and color buff.
Obviously, the above are PPG products. I am sure DuPont and others have the equivalent. The important thing is starting with the good epoxy primer and subsequent primer coats. The finished product and final coat will only look good if the sub coats are done correctly.
Finally, I would write into your contract with the painter, exactly everything that is to be done. If you just go by the painter's estimate which might say: Dismantle to paint, strip paint, paint and polish, how do you know if you are getting apples but paying for oranges?

 

[Super_Coop]

Painting costs vary tremendously and a large portion of the expense is in prep work. As to the paint itself, a lot of painters have a preference for a specific brand, become accustomed to using it, and have better results. My painter like Dupont so that's what we'll be using. Painters/shops get a reputation (good or bad) so ask around - friends co-workers club members, etc.