5 replies to this topic

[MiniJen]

I've scanned through about 10 pages as I'm aware this question must have been asked before. Also I'm aware it is a little bit like asking how long a piece of string is but here we go...

I have a mini that is an unfinshed project. She is patchy black and white, all rust repaired, bits of filler in places and rubbed down a bit so you can see red coming through but is by no means down to the metal. All this was done by the previous owner. So nothing actually needs to be 'fixed'.

Whilst the engine was out the bay was painted black. (I think I'm going for black all over.... for now I'll assume I am).

So the poor girl looks hideous but I need to be able to start driving her quite soon. However, it's a big expense so I want to get it right!

My friend is a great mechanic but clueless about paint jobs. He says that there's no need to gut her out (seats etc.) and just do the outside. Is this true? If it's poss then I'm happy to do that at a later stage and may even have a go myself as I'm sure it's not as hard as the outside. Or maybe it just can't be done that way??

Also, she doesn't have any arches on the front. Would it be daft to try and paint her before sourcing some of these?

Also, do you pay a big difference for good quality paint? I'd love to get a super shine on her. Is the shine down to the paint, laquer and/or prep?

And finally, how much is this going to cost roughly? A really rough estimate would help. If there's anything I haven't described which makes a difference to cost, please let me know.

Anyone in the Bristol or Stafford/Brum areas as recommendations would also be great.

Edited by MiniJen, 10 September 2007 - 11:06 AM.

[Matt]

Well taking from experience when i had mine sprayed up.. i regretted not having the inside sprayed the same time. I also didnt have the engine bay sprayed either!

[MiniJen]

Why was it a regret? Could you see the join or something? And why did you not have the inside done at the same time? Was it cheaper?

[Matt]

Umm i regret it because the bits you dont think your likely to see you actually do.. things like behind the windscreen looking in.

umm didnt have the inside painted because i wasnt paying for the paint job and it seemed a bit cheeky to ask for the inside done too!

[Marv 1234]

I've scanned through about 10 pages as I'm aware this question must have been asked before. Also I'm aware it is a little bit like asking how long a piece of string is but here we go...

I have a mini that is an unfinshed project. She is patchy black and white, all rust repaired, bits of filler in places and rubbed down a bit so you can see red coming through but is by no means down to the metal. All this was done by the previous owner. So nothing actually needs to be 'fixed'.

Whilst the engine was out the bay was painted black. (I think I'm going for black all over.... for now I'll assume I am).

So the poor girl looks hideous but I need to be able to start driving her quite soon. However, it's a big expense so I want to get it right!

My friend is a great mechanic but clueless about paint jobs. He says that there's no need to gut her out (seats etc.) and just do the outside. Is this true? If it's poss then I'm happy to do that at a later stage and may even have a go myself as I'm sure it's not as hard as the outside. Or maybe it just can't be done that way??

Also, she doesn't have any arches on the front. Would it be daft to try and paint her before sourcing some of these?

Also, do you pay a big difference for good quality paint? I'd love to get a super shine on her. Is the shine down to the paint, laquer and/or prep?

And finally, how much is this going to cost roughly? A really rough estimate would help. If there's anything I haven't described which makes a difference to cost, please let me know.

Anyone in the Bristol or Stafford/Brum areas as recommendations would also be great.

When i sprayed mine i stripped out the whole interior so i could paint the inside.this also saves the interior from damage.I used mipa 2 pack paint which covers really well and costs around £20 a litre.the shine is a combination of good preperation,quality paint and skill with the spray gun followed by colour sanding .I was very lucky when i rebuilt mine as i am an ex car painter.You will expect to pay £1500 upwards for a top job

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[LilacLilly]

I've scanned through about 10 pages as I'm aware this question must have been asked before. Also I'm aware it is a little bit like asking how long a piece of string is but here we go...

I have a mini that is an unfinshed project. She is patchy black and white, all rust repaired, bits of filler in places and rubbed down a bit so you can see red coming through but is by no means down to the metal. All this was done by the previous owner. So nothing actually needs to be 'fixed'.

Whilst the engine was out the bay was painted black. (I think I'm going for black all over.... for now I'll assume I am).

So the poor girl looks hideous but I need to be able to start driving her quite soon. However, it's a big expense so I want to get it right!

My friend is a great mechanic but clueless about paint jobs. He says that there's no need to gut her out (seats etc.) and just do the outside. Is this true? If it's poss then I'm happy to do that at a later stage and may even have a go myself as I'm sure it's not as hard as the outside. Or maybe it just can't be done that way??

Also, she doesn't have any arches on the front. Would it be daft to try and paint her before sourcing some of these?

Also, do you pay a big difference for good quality paint? I'd love to get a super shine on her. Is the shine down to the paint, laquer and/or prep?

And finally, how much is this going to cost roughly? A really rough estimate would help. If there's anything I haven't described which makes a difference to cost, please let me know.

Anyone in the Bristol or Stafford/Brum areas as recommendations would also be great.

ive just re sprayed my mini (check her out in the complete mini rebuild section under lilly baby) i bought some expensive paint and ended up using £1.00 a can primer from poundland, £5.49 a tin of car plan paint but a halfords lacquer. its not about the quality of the paint as such, but how much prep work you do. it takes time to get a perfect car, and most of it is waiting for the last layer to dry properly. i prime leave 24 hours, use 800 grip w&d. wait 12 hours wipe clean with dry cloth, then repeat using the next coat until it is built up to a good finish, but change to a 1200 or 1500 w&d.