Painting a Car

[Holden23]

Hey I was just wondering if it's cheaper to paint a car youyrself or pay a place to do it? I cant't find posts from places online so i need your help. Also, if it's cheeper to do it yourself, what are the order of the coats that need to go on, and is it necessary to strip the painting of your first car. I want to paint my car a shiny black so I think im looking for a paint with metalic flakes or soemthing right? Comment Back please!

[Mustangman25]

It's cheaper to do it yourself, but if you've never done it before, don't expect it to turn out the same as if a good shop did it.

[astroracer]

Is it cheaper to do it yourself? If you don't have the equipment or knowledge? NO, it isn't. I have invested many thousands of dollars into the equipment to do it myself. If you already have the shop, air compressor, hose, filters, guns, sanding boards, die grinders, D/A's and fittings, go for it. If not, the job will most definitely cost you more. On top of the equipment cost you can add the consumables. Paint, sandpaper, tape, masking paper, thinner, pre-cleaner, etc., etc. And don't forget the learning process. You will waste money on botched jobs, believe it.
Over the long run I have saved myself a lot of money though. If this is something you think you would like to do as a hobby by all means invest in the equipment, learn the trade and make a little money on the side.
This is up to you though and what you think you want. Do some research into equipment and materials and see if you want to "save" money by doing it yourself...
Me... I would much rather invest in the tools then give the money away.
The other plus, at least for me, is when someone asks who painted your truck? It is very satisfying to say "I did"...
Mark