Sure you can, but it's not really practicle. Acrylic is easiest for a first time painter. And you can do acrylic at home. Well I can (10 acre block... ) but most people should be able to too. If you went to the bother of hiring a booth painted 2-pak and so on and so forth, got it home and realised it would need to be sanded back and re-sprayed, yes it can be done but no way is it practical.

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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

Stereotypical roles - hmmm. I chose a woman who a very similar intellect to me as well as having two degrees. There are no sacred cows but also there no defined duties. If something needs to be done then one of us does it.

I have been married married to this particular women for several decades and she is as capable of crutching a sheep as she is setting the tappets or driving the vaccuum cleaner and doing the dishes - she expects the same from me !!!

Ever seen a corregated top lip - its same appearance as a venetian blind lying horizontal - that the effect I get when I mention stereotypical roles or unequal sharing. It means no conjugal rights etc.

I am happy to share and if she can wave a spray gun better than me then good - I would buy her flowers - she has a feminine side but just for a chance - again- what can she buy me *lol*

LOL, well said Mike.... We are the same here, so you come through load and clear there. So thoughts as to what can your wife buy you.... Maybe a new set of dollies and a lead filled leather sack

Gee - i was hoping you would say a MIG welder - LOL

Sorry to hijack, but Collins, what sort of safety gear is mandatory for spraying 2pack at home. (Please be advised I will not be talked out of it, I have the paint and gear all ready, just need to finish the shell panel work).

A MIG welder? hell no, not that I have started using TIG, I am blown away by how much more enjoyable and better the welds are using TIG. TIG is cooler, way cooler.

Rampage101 Well, my advice is don't try this at home. Now that was for legalities.

My disclaimer from here forth are as follows: If any person follows this as taken as wrong advice, I can not be held responsible for your misfortunes with poor health or posible fatal illness further down the track....

When spraying with 2 pack it is advised to make sure you wear at the very least a breathing aperatus and a disposable suit. I have spent years spraying without, and don't advise anyone to do this. I try and at least wear a mask that has organic painting filters. Quite often I have found myself painting with no respitory or suit, but then again, I got used to it, but that is the reason I had to stop, I ended up in hospital caughing up blood. But this was from years of being adicted to paint and deliberately not using any breathing gear. I was told that if I continued to work as a painter, I would find myself in trouble, posibly fatal.
I don't blame you for not wanting to be talked out of it, it is one of the most enjoyable things you will do yourself. What paint are you using?

Thanks for the help guys, much appreciated. Collins, if you could do a write up, I'm sure it would help heaps of people - I've searched around, but there isn't too much helpful info on the web. Found lots on 2-pac, but I'm happy to play with acrylic for now.

Once you start playing with paint, you begin to respect the years of practice and skill some people have.

On the health side, I hear it can be very bad, my dads mate won't open a tin of paint anymore without a mask and gloves these days - too many years in the paint trade.

It's a steep learning curve, but I can see the rewards, I'll get there.

Thanks for your comment minivan, I will do a write up for the How-To once I get started on my paint job. I'll keep my paint simple, but I am tempted to go mad on it. I am probably 4wks away from starting to paint anyhow. Hopefully I will have something decent to present to the how to after Christmas. If you get stuck, give me a holler....

Collins,

Thanks, I'm paint it black (yes, i know ) with autothane factory black. I've just gotta finish my panel work and I can finish stripping the shell and start prep work.

Collins

This is the best concise how too I have read.

Would you please make mention of spray pressures and their effect when you can

Thanks
Steve

So, any of you pro painters want to go through the differences between standared 2pac and "iso free 2pac", in terms of health risk and paint durability?
Any info appreciated.

I will go throught the diferences tomorrow if you like, I will go though gravity feed and suction feed also, depending on what paint you use... Time for bed already...

should scott buy me a present if he spends all weekend in the garage painting my car?

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I don't know my name anymore.

Do you give him presents for spending all weekend on your car ???

After having just done my fist ever paint job on a mini with no real instruction I know:

Painting a car is not only bloody hard work, it is hard to get looking good.

I've made a lot of mistakes, and learnt alot. Which I was expecting.

The problem is that over time your expectations grow... you go to car shows and see cars with immaculate paint jobs... you think about how much time you have put into it...

But at the end of the day, I don't really want this car to be a show car. I want to be able to park it and not be shitting myself the whole time I'm away from it.

Originally I just want the paint to look good from a distance and keep the rust at bay. On this I think I have been successful.

I probably haven't even saved that much money by doing it myself. But I did get quite an education out it.

But Mike, I would probably be your ideal student. I already know how hard it is, and how much experience brings.

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"Life is not like a box of chocolates... it's more like a jar of jalapenos. Whatever you do today, may burn your arse tomorrow."