Paint your own Cobra?

767Jockey · #1 (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 02:07 PM

I'm getting my winter projects lined up, and way in the back of my mind (probably more like Spring) I'm starting to think about painting my own Cobra. I have an 80 gallon 220V 2 stage Kellogg compressor with line dryer, a Binks spray gun, and way long ago when I was young I painted a few Corvettes that I owned. Taking my time and working hard to get the details in the prep right, they came out really nice. However, it's been over 25 years since I've done it, and I'm sure spray gun and paint technology has changed drastically. I have tons to try to relearn, and even more to learn period. I guess the question is, can anyone recommend some books and/or websites that I can start reading up on? Geez, my wife is going to be furious when she comes home again to a house that stinks like paint!

Has anyone re painted a Cobra? Did you strip it or just go over the old paint (with lots of prep work, obviously). The body will be off the frame, and every single trim piece will be off the body, and still area shops are quoting me 8K and over. I'm guessing I can probably do it for 2 - 2.5K.

RedBarchetta · #2 (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 02:34 PM

If I were in your neck of the woods (Northeast), I would seriously consider reaching out to Metal-Morphous (Ron Randall) of Wallingford, CT. He's here on CC as well.

http://www.metal-morphous.com/pages/...izingpaint.php

Ron does a LOT of Cobra bodies and his work appears exceptional via the 'Net. I have also spoken to him on the phone...nice guy and has worked on several concourse level cars in the past (the really, really expensive classic car types). Plus you get the added benefit that he could apply his molten aluminum coating to the underside of the hood and anywhere else you think it would make the car look more original.

Shipping there and back shouldn't be as expensive...heck with your own trailer you could make it a day trip, right?

I too painted a few cars in my day and the technology has definitely gotten better with the HVLP (high vol, low press) guns and the two-three stage systems. My last resto almost cost me my marriage (I guess the wifey's idea of fun wasn't watching me color sand at 10pm under the din of floodlights).

Good luck!

-Dean

767Jockey · #3 (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 03:01 PM

Ron does exceptional work. He's out of my price range by a fair margin.

RedEsprit · #4 (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 03:18 PM

I just finished painting my ERA (742) with acrylic lacquer. (Not big on iso-cyanates) No big deal and saved about $6,500 over a quote from Tony's, one of ERA's preferred painters. The hand-rubbed lacquer finish mimics the
60's look. Not quite show quality (painted it in a warehouse) but no apologies will be necessary either. Bought the paint at www.autocolorlibrary.com. Lacquer is not as thick as it used to be and thins only 1 to 1. I used a gallon of color and two gallons of clear. Plenty of paint for a cobra. Have about $850 in materials give or take plus I picked up a new Devilbiss gun at www.spraygunworld.com. Another nice thing about painting the car yourself is its soooo easy to touch up if you have little mishaps on the track.

ZOERA-SC7XX · #5 (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 03:56 PM

Do it yourself! You have the experience...it doesn't go away. Just take your time. For tips (instruction dvd), products, and other info spool up www.eastwood.com. They have just about all you'll need. Good luck.

jopper · #6 (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 04:52 PM

I painted my own cobra. I used to paint IBM mainframes and decided to try it myself. I also used to paint, and airbrush motorcycle tanks, started with my own. I used ppg two stage paints. Just load it up and wet sand. I have been offered 10k after people saw my paint job.

niles · #7 (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 06:22 PM

Piece of cake.
New paints make it very easy if your an experienced craftmans(no neophites)
show quality for about $2k for materials.
PEM if interested in details
gn

niles · #8 (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 06:25 PM

Forgot the most important; thrash the binks!!
new gravity feeds are wonderful
gn

bmwdb10 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 07:16 PM

Hey Doug,

I was the local Corvette collision specialist for a few years and did collision/restoration and paint work for 25 years... another life time ago!

There is a ton of things to consider before making a decision as to what type of paint and if stipping is needed. The condition of the current paint and the jel-coat, stress cracks, crazing, dead paint, even what type of paint is currently on the car. IMO: Stay away from lacquer. You can have all sorts of issues with it. Brittle, dies, solvent scatches and crazing... lots of headaches and not near the tough finish you will get with a quality urethane, despite the iso's. Even with my experience now, I would do the body work, strip it if needed, apply a urethane primer, sand, prep and take it to a good painter with or without my materials. Most shops would charge a flat rate paint time, and that would entail only a quick scuff to ensure mechanical adhesion, blow, wash, tack and shoot. What $ it cost you would be worth it compared to the headaches, especially it you have any problems.

Let me know if I can help! Feel free to email me.

rsb427 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 10:12 PM

I just decided to paint my own as well!5k to 6k for paint no way i got all winter i figure 1,500 to 2,000 tops for materials inc. gun,some elbow grease and time is all i need.

autoxmike · #11 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 06:11 AM

I painted my Cobra. I had never picked up a spray gun B4. Read a book, practiced on an old hood. I had to sand and re-shoot one of the doors because of a run, but overall the paint turned out great. No spray booth so it did have a couple of dog hairs that got into the paint. I used a $150gravity feed gun, basecoat/clearcoat. Total paint materials were about $700. For teh cost savings and if you have the time and patience, you can do a great job in your garage. I get lots of satisfaction out of knowing that I did the paint myself. Since then I have repaired & painted the tailgate on my daughter's jeep after a minor parking lot incident, which saved $. Now I'm getting ready to fix & paint the rear quarter on my wife's Denali....

autoxmike · #12 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 06:13 AM

Also - The Duplicolor Paint Shop line of auto paint looks attractive for the home car painter. It comes ready to shoot (no mixing, etc), you can re-spray anytime, etc. The biggest limitation that I can see is that there are very few colors to choose from. I ahve seen this paint on the shelf at the local auto parts store.

Snakebit · #13 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 01:05 PM

I just finished painting my FIA Rio Red with Wimeldon White stripes. PPG base and clear about $1100 for paint, thinners, hardners, and clear, You need a quart of thinned clear for each coat. Then add sand paper, paint gun, primer gun, sealer, primer, tac cloths, degreasor, respirator/ fresh air system. Figure $2000 TO $2500 just for materials. masking tape, paper, buffer, pads, and compound. Lots of blood and sweat, but to see the end result and say you did the paint job Priceless!