My Paint Project From Hell

[Rupert]

When I got the 944, there were a number of small spots of clear coat that were starting to blister, most of them small. I flaked off the loose stuff and just covered them all with new clear. The one large spot on the passenger rear fender turned out looking like ass, of course, but at least it wasn't going to get bigger, right?

Well, enter my sander. I had intended to simply sand down and repaint a very small area, and then clear coat the whole panel. Within moments, I knew that was a fantasy. Down to the original primer, and even the metal in some places, I realized this was not going as planned, so I went out for some primer. Primed, sanded, primed sanded, still a depression where the old paint was worn away. So I went out for some putty. Putty, sanded, primer, sanded, oh fuck now the clear is coming off in a new spot. Primer, sanded, putty, sanded, primer, waiting for it dry. I noticed more blistering on the gas cap. Flake it off, sanded, oh fuck now it's a different color. And a new blister spot next to the gas cap, flake off way too much, fuck.

Whenever I go to work on this project, I leave it looking worse than it already did. The condition of the original paint is pretty poor, with the blistering clear coat and sun damaged paint in some places. I think I am determined to finish it myself. When (if) I ever get everything even and smooth, I'll try to just spray over the actual damaged area, and then clear the whole panel as originally planned. I'm not painting the whole car (yet).

Lesson: Don't do dumb shit with paint.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Do it in camo.

[mzziaz]

Paint the whole car - or in your case - have your whole car painted.

[Rich]

Maaco

[shp4man]

I did a similar thing to my pickup. It ended up costing almost $200 bucks- I did the roof and most of the hood. It looks better than the previous cracked out mess, but it's not as good as factory paint. A Porsche deserves better than an old pickup, though.

[Byteme]

Maaco

I had Maaco do my 69 Fiat Spider.  I did the body prep, sanding, trim removal, etc.  The finished product came out very good.  The name on the sign out front is not nearly as important as the skills of the people in the building.

[hotrodalex]

I had Maaco do my 69 Fiat Spider.  I did the body prep, sanding, trim removal, etc.  The finished product came out very good.  The name on the sign out front is not nearly as important as the skills of the people in the building.

That's the important part. Maaco can do a decent job of painting, they just don't do much prep work.

[r0tor]

Clearcoat did the same thing on my friends old 944.. ugh

[Rupert]

Paint the whole car - or in your case - have your whole car painted.

$$$ and/or timetimetime to do it right. Give it a few years.

[Rupert]

Clearcoat did the same thing on my friends old 944.. ugh

Yeah, at least I'm doing something about it. I see a lot of 944s with totally hopeless clear coat and paint.

[Rupert]

I did a similar thing to my pickup. It ended up costing almost $200 bucks- I did the roof and most of the hood. It looks better than the previous cracked out mess, but it's not as good as factory paint. A Porsche deserves better than an old pickup, though.

Yeah, well...

[mzziaz]

$$$ and/or timetimetime to do it right. Give it a few years.

I'll say it again. You're too poor to own a Porsche.

[Rupert]

Bah, who isn't?

I'll say one thing, though. If you aren't too poor when you buy it, you will be soon!

[Speed_Racer]

That's the important part. Maaco can do a decent job of painting, they just don't do much prep work.

I hear that's key - have your car completely prepped before hand: sanded, low spots filled, trim pieces off, etc. Then it can turn out really nice for the cost.

[Byteme]

I hear that's key - have your car completely prepped before hand: sanded, low spots filled, trim pieces off, etc. Then it can turn out really nice for the cost.

When I took the Fiat in the lights were all off, the windscreen and windscreen frame were off, all chrome trip was off, even door handles and locks. All they had to do was mask and spray.  They did do a final fine sand and go over the car with wax and silicone remover though.

   

[Rupert]

That is the cheaper way to do it right, I hear, but it takes so much time, and I want to drive the thing. I would maybe be into it in a couple of years as a winter project.

[AutobahnSHO]

http://www.carspin.net/forums/index.php?topic=27375.0   

[Byteme]

That is the cheaper way to do it right, I hear, but it takes so much time, and I want to drive the thing. I would maybe be into it in a couple of years as a winter project.

The cost to me was the same.  The outcome was superior though.  Removing all that stuff took maybe 4-6 hours, reinstallation the same amount of time.

[Rupert]

http://www.carspin.net/forums/index.php?topic=27375.0   

Don't even joke about that.

[Rupert]

The cost to me was the same.  The outcome was superior though.  Removing all that stuff took maybe 4-6 hours, reinstallation the same amount of time.

Well, if I'm going to bother repainting the whole car, I'm gonna fix a bunch of dings and stuff, too. I would probably really want to take it down to metal to get rid of all the crappy paint and clear that's on there now.

[AutobahnSHO]

Don't even joke about that.

Wasn't joking, I think it could look good. Haven't looked at their color selection though.

[Rupert]

No fucking way am I putting that shit all over my car. Not to mention the non-stock color.

[Cookie Monster]

Wasn't joking, I think it could look good. Haven't looked at their color selection though.

It does look pretty good, and they have tons of different colors on dipyourcar.com

However, I don't think I'd want to spray it all over my car either and I'm filing a paypal dispute with DYC to get my money back.

[Rupert]

Yeah, if there was trim or something... Not the whole car.

[AutobahnSHO]

and I'm filing a paypal dispute with DYC to get my money back.

What happened there??

[Cookie Monster]

What happened there??

Been close to 3 weeks since I paid for the stuff, and haven't gotten any shipment notice since then. I even emailed twice asking about where the paint was, and got no response, which is kinda dumb considering when I emailed them asking what I should buy before placing an order, they got back to me in less than 12 hours. I'm tired of waiting and I'll end up moving out of my house in the next few weeks (plus finals are coming up). From looking online, it seemed that other people were getting their stuff within a week or two, so I ordered it thinking I'd have time to actually spray the wheels but it looks unlikely at this point.

[Rupert]

Threaten to file a complaint with their local BBB, then do it after another day of no response. You might call them, too. I would just ask for your money back.

[sportyaccordy]

I have heard people having a lot of success with foam roller paint jobs. If you have the time to do the prep they come out looking phenomenal. Prep is the key.

[Byteme]

I have heard people having a lot of success with foam roller paint jobs. If you have the time to do the prep they come out looking phenomenal. Prep is the key.

It's all the post roller sanding that makes it look good. 

[Secret Chimp]

I'm pretty sure you need a real deal catalyst/hardener nasty-type car paint if you want it to adhere and hold up to weather and washing over time.