well me and two other mates (both of em have done work in paintshops) are going to get started on painting the mini. i have been wanting to do this since getting the car about 5yr ago since getting it i have driven it for close too 1 1/2 yrs then shedding it for nearly 3 years while i went Cheffing out west (getting my home loan deposit sorted). over Xmas we will be getting into preparing a clean prep & paint tent under the house and getting started. now im realy in a Drama about how far i want to go with this whole thing do i Just want to prep it as far as we can go then take it to a panel shop or should we do the whole thing under the house? how many people have did the whole job at home or done partly and had it finished at a panel / paint shop? where those who did the lot happy with the result?

this was my little beaut back when we first finished her. i remeber being over the moon and no real issues since either just take the time and it will be well worth your while

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Enjoy Chris

I did my Minor myself. It was my first ever full respray attempt. Cellulose paint in a double carport. It took much longer than I expected and I spent more than I expected to, but I'm very happy with the results.

Finish is perfectly good and shiny, and cellulose is very forgiving.

From a cost point of view, even including buying a big flash compressor, I came in waaaay under half of the lowest quote I was given from professional shops.

I'd definitely do it again. (but not for a while...)

pics & story:

http://www.morrisdownunder.com/forum/vi ... php?t=2372

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1958 Morris Minor 1000 - "Nigel"

ahh this sounds like a good idea. im about to prep and paint the mini in the xmas holidays too.

on the topic of painting. do you prep all the doors hinges etc seperately then put them on the car for the actual colour or do you paint it all seperately?

also is a bare metal paint job always going to be better than overcoats?? (changing colour)

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1975 Leyland Mini: 1060cc - resto/ ex-hsc project.

My dad and I painted my first Mini. Still looks pretty good, and can come up very nicely with a good polish.

I would do it again, but would put more effort into the body work to get the panels smoother etc.

The car doesn't look as good as it first did but you expect that when it's daily driven so scratchs and chips are hard to avoid.

For my current project I haven't fully decided on whether I will paint it or get a professional job done. I'm leaning towards pro as I'd prefer 2 pack this time instead of acrylic. But chances are my car wouldn't stay in top condition for too long due to where I live; animals and gravel driveways aren't the best for top condition cars. So I'm sitting on the fence at the moment.

A question to all the painters - Is metallic a lot harder? I'm planning to do dark blue metallic on my current project.

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1964 Morris 850, 1330 Supercharged - 81.8hp atws.
1975 Leyland Mini S 1100S powered - Nice and reliable.
1977 Leyland Mini LS - Project LS-T

I was happy when I first finished the car - however the paint has not aged well. It has faded badly.

The answer would have been to do 2pac however I am not going to do this at home.

Next time i will just do the prep and then get a pro to apply 2pac in a booth.

I am happy as a pig in crap about mine. Buy a buzzer, sand is a crap job and you will be tempted to use to course a grit sand paper. If you do it will be hard to cover the swirl marks with paint..

I would never get someone else to paint my cars as dad is a panel beater by trade and I have access to all the tools and know-how. I have also seen some shocking stuff come out of panel shops in our area including one $7500 dollar job I looked at the other day which is blistering and cracking after only 6 months due to poor prep (new paint over multiple layers of cheap paint). Everything I do for myself now is bare metal inside and out and I know exactly what is under the paint. It's also heaps cheaper and quicker.

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Lindsay Palmer
06 Mazda SP23
80 Alfa GTV (weekend toy)
86 626 Turbo (daily drive, now stolen)
71 cooper s replica
69 cooper replica
76 clubman
62 english 850
68 Mini Auto

i did all the work on my car and got my dad to spray it in the back yard paint work is very good and shiny once poished only thing is i didnt spend enough time on the prep b4 the paint so the body isnt exactly perfect. but i say have a go take your time and be patient you will get a good result in the end if you take your time. good luck.

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1964 smooth roof panel van
1967 Mk 1 X-Police cooper s
1970 mini k
1975 leyland

First time we paid a fella to spray mine in his backyard - he had no idea and made a bit of a mess. second time round we did it our selves (dad) but it was the middle of winter with a pearl and different colour coats and a clear over the top. It didnt turn out the best - it looked good for a while but then it started to crazy crack and the paint never really completely dried it stayed soft.
But my brothers and fathers cars turned out pretty good (they were done when it was warmer). I reckon im going to spray my Gt when it comes time.

I just cant justify 5-$7000 for somebody to spend part of a day spraying it
I have seen some jobs done by panelbeaters/ sprayers and they have been very ROUGH!

Have a go and take your time and make sure its a warm not hot/cold day and it should be ok.

Brenton

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yeah im unsure of how far back we should go with surface prep. im scared about going to bare metal cause of all the things my 76 clubby could be hiding. yeah i know it all about puting In the time for the results. What paints primers thinners and clears is every one using im thinking about using Acrylic as ive heard lots of decend reports on how flexible and Forgiving it is to use.

good read on that morrie forum Shawn.

Driveway spray job. Lots of time on the body prep etc.


This is in acrylic. Decided that mini will live indoors, out of sun etc. Tartan red body with a metallic silver roof and stripes. Maybe not as good as a body shop but OK - maybe a 7/10.
The final result will only look as good as the preparation under the paint. Take your time. Acrylic is good and can be fixed and improved. If I had the correct booth (or the money to pay someone who has) I would certainly go the 2 pac route.

Will update my gallery page shortly.

Regards

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Dave K.
1979 Moke Californian + 1981 'Coke' Moke

Painted in a shed 2pac prep was spot on