I am wondering where to go from where I am with my Dart. Dennis at DMC racecars installed frame connectors and hung the quarters for me. I had another professional do the rest of the bodywork up to this point. As it sits, it is covered in an epoxy primer that was baked on. The guide coat was put on after. Since I was going to move, I paid my bill, and had the car shipped to my new house. I have sand blasted the engine compartment and filled the unneccessary holes. I have a Sears Craftsman HVLP siphon cup spray gun, longbord hand sander , small sanding block, and a craftsman 5HP 20 gallon oil less compressor. I bought some 2k primer and I would like to prime the engine compartment, trunk area ( still needs to be sanded and cleaned ), and door jambs. Basically, I'd like to get it ready to paint. What materials will I need? Cleaners, sandpaper grit, etc. The car isn't going to be a show car, but since I've gone this far, I may as well make it nice. Any and all advice is welcome. I have a basic understanding of bodywork, and my Father has painted several trucks for a Fleet, but nothing really on a professional level. Hopefully, the pictures I am posting will work.

Thanks.

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Try this link http://www.autobodystore.com/home.shtml
They have a good Forum, videos, classroom.

Mike

I would, but I have a bad case of myfundsarelow .

I feel ya there, no doubt. The prep work is your paintjob though. I'd almost be inclined to say that you could spray the car yourself after a pro finishes the preparation...... FWIW

A nice paint job is all in the prep work. I have seen some kick-butt paint jobs done at home by people who were willing to stick with it. Put the horse blinders on and just work your way around the car one panel at a time. It's easy to get intimidated looking at the whole thing at once.

Most painters have told me that actually applying the paint is the easy part.

Maybe prep it yourself and then pay a pro to shoot it over the weekend for a few bucks????

Try this link: http://www.southernpolyurethanes.com/perfect%20paint.htm

My guess is your compressor is too small to keep up with an HVLP gun. What is the CFM requirement of your spray gun? Compare that to the output of your compressor. The compressor should provide about 1 1/2 times the amount the gun uses especially with a small tank.
If you are just going to spray the primer you could get away with doing a panel at a time but once you go to spraying color especially if it is a metallic you should have the car assembled and paint it all at one time.

DaytonaTurbo is right on...get a fender from the junk yard and practice. I have been doing bodywork and painting now for some 20+ years for the Air Force and I have seen some natural that just pick up the spray gun and go at it. Others work at it and get the basics at least if nothing else...Point being, they did it themselves.

Anyone with a huge bank account can pay someone else to build their ride for them but is it really theirs? They paid for it so I guess so but I take more pride in building and creating/painting the car mayself then I ever could by just handing over money. Money doesnt make the car the man makes the car.I jsut want to build cars...kewl cars Approach it like a fine wine...dont rush into any part the repairs. Keep at it and someday you too will look at some of your work and be amazed not to mention being hooked by Ma Mopar and that devish fish she has. They will draw you in....and once we have you hooked, all his fun...seriously just take you time...ask the worker at the paint stores and us. ASk away, but know this...thier are no set rules with any one correct answer to every answer. I we can offeer you is what we know for ourselves to be true and a great time learning it all that will give you the pride of knowing...I(you) build that...sweet looking srart...practice practice practice and then show us some more. Looks like a great start.