Paint Job for Cheapskates?
 

My '86 300E is losing its clear coat and looks terrible (hood, top and now the trunk). Almost like a pimple faced teenager (still runs great but disheartening to look at). I'm cheap, especially for an 18 yr old car, and the prices I see to do it from the "pros" range from $1200 to $3000. Is it possible to do it myself? Is the equipment rentable? These and other questions haunt me.... Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
David

A DIY job won't be much cheaper if you end up with a crappy job and have to get a professional do "undo" what was done.

I had my old 83 300SD done at Maaco and it came out really well. There are some important tips, so search the archives under my user name to see what I did.

The most important things are:
1. remove EVERYTHING you don't want painted. Leave it on and it's guaranteed Maaco will paint it!
2. "accidentally" leave a case of beer in the trunk and let the guy who's actually spraying your car know it's there :D You tend to get a better job this way.. just tell him not to start drinking it until AFTER your car has been painted, not before :o

Neal

Hay Bhatt, can't find that post you are referring to about Macco.

Here is one post I found. There may be another.. you might want to search under my user name and look for any posts that have to do with painting a car.. my posts are most likely responses to other people.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/90194-help-talk-me-through-prepping-my-car-body-shop.html