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!!

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

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.

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

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]

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...

after.....

[Edited on 13/4/2005 by boof2332]

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]

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

hehehe fat chance

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

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

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

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

Sorry, some would say it sooner or later

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?

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!

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.

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

nice to meet you a the jamboree also

Hey thanks for sharing Das!


Killa you're a legend.

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

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

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!

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.

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.