Auto Paint - Self or Professional?

[IHaveAMustang]

So I am planning on finishing the engine swap in my CoPart salvage car this weekend and at that point I will be moving on to painting the front bumper and side skirt that were damaged.

I am torn between what to do. I can pay $218 for a Devilbiss Finishline FLG-670 gun that has fantastic reviews stating it is a great gun for beginners and experts alike and puts down base / clear well with its interchangeable tips....

Or...try to find a bodyshop that will only charge around $200 to paint the bumper and side skirt.

My dilemma is the whole teach a man to fish vs give a man a fish...I'd like to paint my own stuff and keep the gun for future projects, but also worry I would absolutely suck at laying paint.

I tried to paint my 2004 Cavalier myself and it turned out awful - though I mainly blame the old beat up gun my Dad had. The silver paint didn't atomize right and came out splotchy.

Open to suggestions either way, and if you have a recommendation for a good auto shop that'll spray off-body parts for a good price, please do.

[dcs13]

$20 Harbor Freight purple gun. Its the painter.Shot this in my shop, dirty conditions compared to a booth... (although I will say I love my high end guns)...
Read this for a good primer on painting steps..

[dcs13]

Forgot to add the link, sorry.. https://www.southernpolyurethanes.com/perfect-paint-job

[IHaveAMustang]

Forgot to add the link, sorry.. https://www.southernpolyurethanes.com/perfect-paint-job

Gorgeous paint job. Does the purple do both base and clear?

What size compressor do you have?

[Rick Modena]

Gorgeous paint job. Does the purple do both base and clear?

What size compressor do you have?

Yes it does, I have one that I used for doing door jambs, small spot jobs and even did a few panels at a time with it cause I didn't want to bust out my SataJet and clean it. After more than a few use's it still works great, just clean it after each use. Once it gets to dirty or starts fucking up, throw it away and get a new one.
I have a small HF 5HP 50gl tank, it was $199.99, it works great for small jobs and even will do a panel or two, but you have to let it fill up quite often. If your going to attempt to do a whole vehicle, your going to have to invest in a 5hp + dual stage 90 gallon or more compressor.

[IHaveAMustang]

Yes it does, I have one that I used for doing door jambs, small spot jobs and even did a few panels at a time with it cause I didn't want to bust out my SataJet and clean it. After more than a few use's it still works great, just clean it after each use. Once it gets to dirty or starts fucking up, throw it away and get a new one.
I have a small HF 5HP 50gl tank, it was $199.99, it works great for small jobs and even will do a panel or two, but you have to let it fill up quite often. If your going to attempt to do a whole vehicle, your going to have to invest in a 5hp + dual stage 90 gallon or more compressor.

Very good, I am heading to Harbor Freight after work to try this out.

It's just a front bumper and a 5 foot long side skirt, so my 8 gal 2.5 hp compressor should be able to handle it.

Thanks for the information!

[JC316]

It's the painter, the prep work, and the finish work. I have a high end gun, and have put down some shitty jobs.

[Rick Modena]

It's the painter, the prep work, and the finish work. I have a high end gun, and have put down some shitty jobs.

This is all true, but a good compressor that can keep up is the most important tool in getting good automotive paint jobs, the paint gun must keep an accurate amount of pressure while painting. This and a nice air filtering system, compressors emit humidity and contamination (oil/water) and will fuck your shit up with fish eyes and trash.
Refinishing cars/parts is serious business, you don't have the proper tools and even the best painter will get shitty jobs...

[black2002ls]

This is all true, but a good compressor that can keep up is the most important tool in getting good automotive paint jobs, the paint gun must keep an accurate amount of pressure while painting. This and a nice air filtering system, compressors emit humidity and contamination (oil/water) and will fuck your shit up with fish eyes and trash.

Refinishing cars/parts is serious business, you don't have the proper tools and even the best painter will get shitty jobs...

This, and most of the other stuff. I only spray tiny shit, but here is my .02:

Pick up the purple HF gun, use your compressor, add an inline pressure regulator and a moisture trap. Practice on a scrap hood or something. Learn to adjust the pressure for the paint. Good atomization and coverage. A little practice and you'll be OK.

Granted this is 1/12th scale but it was cleared with the HF gun.



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[dcs13]

CLEAN the HF gun before use. They always have grease and stuff in them. Get a regulator and a filter for end of gun. You'll need to regulate your pressure .
Read this on setting up your gun..

http://www.spiuserforum.com/index.php?threads/how-to-adjust-your-paint-gun.24/

That header I shot was straight outa the gun. SPI universal clear. Was not cut and buffed. I LOVE SPI products.. So easy to get good results. I don't do this for a living (I'd starve to death).. I just learned because I was too cheap to send my cars to a body shop..