Cost of a DIY paint job....

ren Wolfsburg Wizard

629 posts · joined Mar 2005 · 13 Apr 2005, 9:36 am

#335296

Hey Folks! I'm just wondering whether anyone has a rough estimate of what the materials cost to do a DIY paintjob. Nothing special, just something to get me by, and patch up my current peeling multi tone paintjob!. I think I have access to a compressor, spray gun, tips etc. but what about paint, primer, clear coat, wet and dry etc? Any info would be hugely appreciated. Also can anyone recommend a good painting supplies dealer in Melbourne? Cheers!!

FATBUG Slammed & Awesome Dubber

82 posts · joined Mar 2005 · 13 Apr 2005, 10:53 am

#335334

Hi,

Heres a quick list of my cost to do my car:
Already had spray guns and compressor.

Cheap electric sander ($80)
Sandpaper for sander (maximum of a $1 sheet) Dont know how much you will need.
Paint Stripper (4L) about $58.00
Etch Primer (4L) $48.33
Matt Black Acrylic (4L) $100.78
Acrylic Clear (4L) $40.86
2 in 1 (Putty and Primer) (4L) $40.86
Thinners (4L) Cant remember how much i paid. about $20 or less.

You should get away with 4L for most stuff
Thats just a rough price list. So im only looking at about $300 to repaint my whole car.
Alot better then paying someone $3000

🙂

ren Wolfsburg Wizard

629 posts · joined Mar 2005 · 13 Apr 2005, 2:34 pm

#335494

Sounds good FATBUG. I was hoping of a figure no more than around 400. Have you started painting it yet? You should make a post about your experience when you do.

helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body

7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 13 Apr 2005, 2:55 pm

#335512

The paint place in Ringwood I used to go to closed. There is one in Croydon that a few mates go to that have acrylic in less expensive range of paints available. You can also get from a lot of Autobarn stores, I don't know what info they can offer to help though, compared to a proper auto paint shop.

Paintaway is another automotive paint company. They have a couple of shops around including western suburbs

EJ22 into Bay Microbus - Finished project build thread- click on this spot here for info

FATBUG Slammed & Awesome Dubber

82 posts · joined Mar 2005 · 13 Apr 2005, 3:43 pm

#335544

Yeh i have been taking pictures at the end of each day from what the car looked like to when i finish it.
At the moment i have only.

Removed all windows (Some how managed to do them all in 35min with 2 flat head screw drivers without breaking a window) Me and Girlfriend doing it.
Removed roof lining
Removed Mirrors
Removed Arieal
Removed Bumpers
Will strip the interior shortly.

I am stripping the gaurds at the moment. I have found it easier to strip them while there on the car if you dont have a proper work bench or somewhere that the gaurds can sit stably as i took one off and it was a prick to sand as they bend so easy. Once i get to the closer edge i will take them off and do that small area off the car. Just found it alot easier as they gaurds arnt flimsy on the car etc. Everyone has there own way though.

Also other stuff i had to buy was like Tarps etc. to put under the car and in areas where i am stripping or painting otherwise you will get shit everywhere. (A huge 7metre by 3metre tarp is only like $14 at super cheap autos. or your can get like 2.5x3.5metre tarps for like $4) Very cheap.
I like to use newspaper when i use stripper though as i can just scrunch it up and chuck it in the bin. Once it gets on the tarp its a prick to get off and you walk through it. Ill stop rambling now.

Cheers,
Scott

[Edited on 13-4-2005 by FATBUG]

[Edited on 13-4-2005 by FATBUG]

boof2332 Custom Title Time!

1,210 posts · joined May 2004 · 14 Apr 2005, 12:16 am

#336003

Buy some black sanding blocks, the rubber ones and use the wet and dry on them.......with a bucket of water and a sponge....This is for the final prep. The blocks mould to the curves of the car and as you rub them back sponge off the area when the paper feels as though it needs it, and as the water runs off it will reveal rough spots that need a bit more work. Try not to use you fingers on the paper as it can leave grooves. Leave windows in for the first rub back and primer coats...then kick them, rub back the lip and blow in the colour .

We did mine at the spur of the moment in a weekend....and for about the $300-$400 total.

I had never done it before, although had a mate who was a panel beater helped me.

Before...

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boof2332 Custom Title Time!

1,210 posts · joined May 2004 · 14 Apr 2005, 12:17 am

#336004

after.....

[Edited on 13/4/2005 by boof2332]

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ren Wolfsburg Wizard

629 posts · joined Mar 2005 · 14 Apr 2005, 9:07 am

#336137

Nice work Boof, (1 weekend?! and 300-400 bucks) That's what I was hoping to hear. I'm sure I'll have much more problems, because I don't know any panel/paint peops. But I'm looking forward to having a go. Besides, Ruckus is going to do all the sanding anyway (!).....

[Edited on 13-4-2005 by ren]

ruckus Veteran Volks Folk

2,118 posts · joined Jun 2004 · 14 Apr 2005, 9:09 am

#336138

Yeah and he's paying for all of the materials too :thumb

hehehe fat chance

akean1 Remember To Love

1,088 posts · joined Dec 2004 · 14 Apr 2005, 9:37 am

#336146

the paint factory on sydney rd in coburg north does good prices

ren Wolfsburg Wizard

629 posts · joined Mar 2005 · 14 Apr 2005, 11:51 am

#336254

Thanks AKEAN. I'll keep that in mind...

baybuscamperkid prince of insufficient light, ruler of heck

4,316 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 15 Apr 2005, 9:19 am

#337021

i think the guys in Croyden that helbus is talking about are 1car or something like that? they were great with me with selecting colours (have lots of old colour chips)
also the little auto parts shop in Lilydale industrial; has pretty cheap paint. prewtty sure you will need a LOT more thinners tho, as most paints mix 1:1 or 2:3 parts thinners, plus some left over for cleanup

Reimagined/Recycled/Upcycled Cool

helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body

7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 15 Apr 2005, 9:44 am

#337032

You could do it with a brush and house paint for about $25. 🙂

Sorry, some would say it sooner or later

EJ22 into Bay Microbus - Finished project build thread- click on this spot here for info

ren Wolfsburg Wizard

629 posts · joined Mar 2005 · 15 Apr 2005, 4:58 pm

#337331

Yeah I thought that was a good idea helbus, now you've convinced me! Does anyone know where to get cheap paint brushes in Melb?

baybuscamperkid prince of insufficient light, ruler of heck

4,316 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 15 Apr 2005, 5:01 pm

#337338

hey, dont bag the housepaint! i almost bought a bus a while back with about 3layers of it on, the sun and moon and all sorts of images on the side, a 1600 engine and it had survived the oodnadatta track. only $200, what a bargain!

Reimagined/Recycled/Upcycled Cool

Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus

5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 17 Apr 2005, 7:12 am

#338479

I guess it really is dependent on what paint and products you use.

I went through close to 6L of Spies Hecker base coat which costs around $90/L....so it adds up quickly! Obviously there are paints which cost far less.

www.dasrestoparts.com.au

HGFS Wolfsburg Wizard

531 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 18 Apr 2005, 12:28 am

#339048

Dasdubber wrote:I went through close to 6L of Spies Hecker base coat which costs around $90/L....so it adds up quickly! Obviously there are paints which cost far less.

Any chance of a brief overview of approx $$ required to achieve the standard on your car dasdubber?? I know many have said it previously but it's a bit of a standard setter for home paint jobs. Also realise the final finish is reliant on the prep, sanding, bodywork, skill of painter etc....

Just thought $ for a top end home paint job would be nice, to go with the $ for basic paint jobs already mentioned .

Thanks, Greg

1954 Oval long term project going nowhere
1958 Beetle drag car project
1959 Beetle project I need to sell one day
1969 Squareback

killakornkobb where's that clutch?

1,663 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 18 Apr 2005, 5:19 pm

#339395

ren i'll B up for giving u and ruckus a hand somtime🙂 i'v got an air fed mask so i can spray 2pak paint anywhere there is a compressor

Tagedeezee Heezy

killakornkobb where's that clutch?

1,663 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 18 Apr 2005, 5:19 pm

#339396

nice to meet you a the jamboree also🙂

Tagedeezee Heezy

Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus

5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 18 Apr 2005, 10:10 pm

#339644

SVW-054 wrote:Any chance of a brief overview of approx $$ required to achieve the standard on your car dasdubber?? I know many have said it previously but it's a bit of a standard setter for home paint jobs. Also realise the final finish is reliant on the prep, sanding, bodywork, skill of painter etc....

Just thought $ for a top end home paint job would be nice, to go with the $ for basic paint jobs already mentioned .

Thanks, Greg

You are a nasty man, I promised myself never to look through the receipt file for this project....Luckily all the paint related receipts are from the same place so I could pull them out without paying to close attention to all the others! Okay, deep breath, here goes:

Materials:
Etch primer 1L $29
1L wash primer $54
1L 1K primer $54.10
Metal plastic x-fine filler $19.80
2K tech putty 4kg $45.65
2K clear 1L $32.00
2K reducer 1L $13.20
Fast hardener 1L $36.00
2K normal hardener 1L $30.00
2K clear 1L $32.00
Gunwash 20L $35.00
500ml base coat $55.00
Acrylic thinner $12.80
Car joint seam sealer $26.40
Polyester putty 900g $14.00
Blade putty 450g $12.50
Base coat 1L $100.00
2K high build primer $116.00
Farecla G3 compound 400g $23.20
Meguiars tech wax $43.00
Farecla G4 liquid 1L $65.85
8in compound pad x2 $73.00
8in polishing pad x2 $61.00
2K clear 1L $32.00
6L basecoat $540.00
5L clearcoat $210.00
Medium hardener $140.00
Universal reducer $45.00
Stone chip addagel $50.00

Equipment etc:
Gravity gun stand $30.00
Plastic paint cups $15.00
Gravity feed gun $240.00
Misc other sanding blocks $36.00
Gun cleaning set $18.00
Gravity feed gun (for primer) $150.00
Paint filters $3.00
Tack rags $9.00
Masking tape $50.00
Mask (filter) $95.00
Gloves (2 boxes of 100) $26.40
Sandpaper $40.00
Lge rubbing block $17.85

$2770.75 all inclusive (or $2040.50 minus equipment etc)
Labour $0 (thats the part I like)

Please note that not all the above paint, clearcoat, primer etc was used solely on the body...I used some on things like clearcoating rollcage, painting suspension components etc etc....so that is why there are double and triple ups of stuff.

Hope this helps. Damn you for making me look at all those receipts!! :duh

Alan

www.dasrestoparts.com.au

ruckus Veteran Volks Folk

2,118 posts · joined Jun 2004 · 18 Apr 2005, 10:15 pm

#339650

Hey thanks for sharing Das!

Killa you're a legend.

HGFS Wolfsburg Wizard

531 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 19 Apr 2005, 12:22 am

#339710

Yeah thanks heaps. Geez I never expected that much detail, I was only hoping for "Reckon it set me back around $2 grand". Receipts can be a very bad thing for sure, hope you dont feel too dirty.
I'm with you on the labour charge, I like the sound of that also. Wouldnt full tote odds for a paint job like that be somewhere in the vicinity of $6-8 grand?? If so you have a bargain, and a first hand appreciation of just how much work goes into it.
Great work Alan & thanks for the eye opener. I promise not to ask you how much something costs ever again.:thumb
Greg

1954 Oval long term project going nowhere
1958 Beetle drag car project
1959 Beetle project I need to sell one day
1969 Squareback

Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus

5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 19 Apr 2005, 8:13 am

#339766

No worries Greg, I am not too upset because as you say to have this work done professionally would have cost many more thousands of dollars.....so it can still be classed as a saving in my books. Might help to justify the other costs incurred during the project!

At least people can get a better idea of actual cost of materials - I didn't get any trade price and majority was spies hecker which is excellent quality. I am sure there are cheaper and more expensive paints out there but I am very happy with the result I obtained. All the little things like gun cleaner, thinners, sandpaper, filler add the cost up very quickly hence why I thought it was important to list everything.

cheers
alan

www.dasrestoparts.com.au

ren Wolfsburg Wizard

629 posts · joined Mar 2005 · 19 Apr 2005, 4:07 pm

#340069

DASDUBBER- Thanks for taking the time.....your car is looking amazing in the pics......and to be able to say you did it all yourself is priceless. Obviously my effort will be a whole different ballgame. Actually it will be more like a completely different sport (rounders or something) in both finish and the extent of the process.

KILLAKORNKOBB-Nice one mate, look forward to talking to you when it's time to paint! I was pretty impressed by your car too!

ren Wolfsburg Wizard

629 posts · joined Mar 2005 · 19 Apr 2005, 6:17 pm

#340161

By the way.....540 dollars for your basecoat? That's a lot of money. Do different brands of paint vary much in cost? I suppose Spies Hecker is at the top of pile then.

Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus

5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 19 Apr 2005, 8:25 pm

#340281

For 6L of high quality two pack base coat bought retail (no trade discount for me)....that is what I'd say normal.

I am sure there is significant variations in cost for different brands. Maybe Helbus could comment more being in the trade?

You can imagine how happy I was when accidentally knocked the tin over and lost 1L of basecoat whilst mixing paint 😠

Won't make that mistake again though.

www.dasrestoparts.com.au