510 Painting adventure:
   I decided to paint my car.  I basically had no idea what I was doing, but I think it turned out okay.  Especially considering that while painting the hood and trunk, a huge thunderstorm blew in and nearly killed Kristi and I.  The trunk has some dust in the paint, but I didn't have enough paint to re-do it, so I have to live with it that way. 
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Craftsman 30 gallon, 6 HP compressor = $270 
Hoses and filter
        for compressor = $45
Craftsman general purpose Sprayer = $70
Here's how it turned out:
Metallic Turquoise Eurethane enamal (paint) from Napa = $110 

Some old newspapers, and two rolls of masking tape =  $5     (No pictures)
Total cost to paint car = about $650.  The estimate I got from Maaco was about $650 including door jams.   So I ended up with about the same thing as Maaco would have done,but I also get to keep the canopy as a car cover, and now I have a compressor (which I have been wanting).  All in all, I think I came out on top.  The car looks pretty descent, and I can say I did it myself.  No more primer with rusty spots for me!!!
Here's what I used:
20ft by 10ft canopy = $150  (Used as spray booth)
Shown here the day after I finished painting.  No doors, bumpers, or back windows.
Shown here the day after I finished painting.  No doors, bumpers, or back windows.
The doors just after getting a fresh coat of black on the window frame.
Here's Bambi a few weeks later, all put back together
Note the door handle, pillar vent, and side marker lights are all shaved off.
Driver's side ...
So much better than primer!!!
Back ...
When you get up close, you can see a few drips, and some flat spots, but from a few feet, I think it looks pretty good.
                                               Tell me what you think...
jonesb@erau.edu