Project Dark Horse, budget build, including painting with a roller Options

[rivs]

So I have been working on my celica for a few years and I figured I would post my work now that things are finally coming together.

Here is my car as it is today:




I still have to finish some minor body work on the back. Then I need to paint the hood, roof and the rear.

This post has been edited by rivs: Aug 23, 2012 - 9:01 PM

[rivs]

Here are some pictures of the car as I bought it($300 too, not a bad deal!)







This post has been edited by rivs: Aug 23, 2012 - 9:45 PM

[Box]

Look forward to what all you have in store.

[rivs]

Some body work:

[rivs]

Some mock up and completing some body work:



Still needs some work!

[rivs]

Lighted keyring installed:



Hey that's not supposed be there(broken spring). Maybe that's why the clutch wouldn't disengage!

[rivs]

Gt-4 crash bar:


More body work:




Some primer:

[rivs]

The engine had a bad rod knock. So I took a chance and replace the bearings:




I got lucky, 20k after installing new bearings, still no knock

Nasty drum brakes? I hated drum brakes!



That's better:


New black carpet and leather seat covers:

[rivs]

Look forward to what all you have in store.

Thanks man,
It's been both fun and a PITA but it's nice to see it finally taken shape.

[Box]

Indeed. Need to work on making mine prettier.

This post has been edited by Box: Aug 23, 2012 - 10:31 PM

[psyxo69]

Man where did you buy these leather seat covers? You just put them on top of the original seats?

[rivs]

Man where did you buy these leather seat covers? You just put them on top of the original seats?

I got them off eBay I believe. No they are the kind where you remove the cloth on the old seats first and swap them for the leather ones.

[celica74]

how did the gt emblem get on there? rear drums came on st's. rod bearings always seem to be cod(cause of death). glad you caught it before anything major happened.

[rivs]

how did the gt emblem get on there? rear drums came on st's. rod bearings always seem to be cod(cause of death). glad you caught it before anything major happened.

Yeah I replaced the rod bearings before driving the car anywhere. The hatch is actually a replacement that I pick up from another member here. I needed a new piece of glass for the back and it was easier just to swap the hatch. My car is an ST and the hatch was off a GT.

[rivs]

Update for today:
Finish side skirts(filling holes made by rivets)
Fill minor scratches and dings



Rolling on first coat of paint for rear




Distant shot showing potential



I'm going to put on the second coat tomorrow morning. I'll try to post updates pics then.
-rivs

[Box]

So far so good.

[SwissFerdi]

Would never have guessed that's roll-on.

[rivs]

Update for today: wet sanded with 400 grit. Then coat 3. I hope to get a 4th coat on tonight.






A close up of a semi-finished panel(still needs to be washed a buffed)


This post has been edited by rivs: Aug 28, 2012 - 2:31 PM

[Edser]

Good work!! I'm very impressed. I don't think that I'd have bought mine if it needed as much bodywork fixing as yours. A bit of filler is about as much of a challenge as I can handle!
How did you paint it? Outside? Did you have dust problems, wind etc? Any orange peel?

[rivs]

Good work!! I'm very impressed. I don't think that I'd have bought mine if it needed as much bodywork fixing as yours. A bit of filler is about as much of a challenge as I can handle!
How did you paint it? Outside? Did you have dust problems, wind etc? Any orange peel?

I painted the fenders and bumper in the basement. Everything else I painted outside. I run the hose to wet down the driveway to try to eliminate any dust. I also wipe down every part with mineral spirits and a tack rag before painting a coat. Even with all this you still get dust, bugs and other contaminates in the paint. But because you wet sand much of the paint off, they don't remain in the final product.

[Box]

Very impressive to be roll on!

[rivs]

Hey guys, I hadn't had much time to work on the car. I did manage to finish the passenger side. I also finally found my camera so I can post better pics than just the cellphone ones.

Here a few shots of the finished side:




Here's a close up to give you an idea of the shine:


And another shot comparing it to the factory paint(factory paint on top, new paint bottom):


It came out pretty good, it still needs a good polishing and waxing but I'll do that when the whole car is finally done!

[Box]

Very nice, I applaud you. About how much did this cost all together?

[rivs]

Very nice, I applaud you. About how much did this cost all together?

I think total is around $75-100. The paint was like $9. $20 for rollers and the painting tray. $20 for the mineral spirits and another $40 for sandpaper, tape etc.

[Box]

Interesting. And it's just paint, no clear coat needed?

[celica74]

Come paint mine? Looks great

[rivs]

Interesting. And it's just paint, no clear coat needed?

Yeah the paint is really shiny by itself. You can add it for more protection from chips and the elements.

Come paint mine? Looks great

Thanks man! If it wasn't so time consuming, I would consider painting someone else's car. This is one of those more time than money type of projects.

[rivs]

It's been a while I have updated. Been busy with school and other things but I finally got around to painting the hood. Here's a quick preview. I will post a better pic once we get a sunny day.



This post has been edited by rivs: Sep 3, 2013 - 7:43 PM

[richee3]

Looks like we've got another hover Celica on the forums.

[CrossCudi]

i wish i can one day do that rear disc brake conversion ... Good Job !

[rivs]

Here is some better pics of the hood. This is all rolled on paint. I think it looks quite good

i wish i can one day do that rear disc brake conversion ... Good Job !

Thanks man! It wasn't that expensive or that hard to do. The hardest part was the e-brake cable, only because you have to get under the car and the exhaust is in the way.

Looks like we've got another hover Celica on the forums.

HaHa yeah getting it ready for the winter here in New England. I find it better to hover over the snow to get the best traction

[smkr3w]

Looks preety effin sweet!

Is it a ~75/25 ratio? I've seen on youtube?

[rivs]

Looks preety effin sweet!

Is it a ~75/25 ratio? I've seen on youtube?

Yeah it's close to that. As you do it you kinda get a feel for how much mineral spirits to mix in. You could do 100% paint, but it wont auto level and will take forever to dry. The only downside of the paint is that it takes a long time to fully cure. It is dry enough to handle after a day or so. But needs to be left out in the sun for like a week or more before final sanding and buffing.

[smkr3w]

i've seriously contemplated doing this but seeing as i live in a severely WINDY and DUSTY place it might not fare too well, or at least there would have to much more critical wet sanding LOL

[rivs]

i've seriously contemplated doing this but seeing as i live in a severely WINDY and DUSTY place it might not fare too well, or at least there would have to much more critical wet sanding LOL

LOL yeah I have wet sanded for hours! I could only imagine in a very dusty environment. The wind isn't really an issue unless it's blowing crap into the paint.

[kevin311]

What kind of materials are you using for this? It looks amazing, never would've guessed it was rolled on. I may need to test this process on my GT. body is in decent shape, def not as bad off as yours was but the paint on mine has gone to crap. Nice work man!

[rivs]

What kind of materials are you using for this? It looks amazing, never would've guessed it was rolled on. I may need to test this process on my GT. body is in decent shape, def not as bad off as yours was but the paint on mine has gone to crap. Nice work man!

I just used Rustoleum Paint, foam rollers, mineral spirits and lots of sand paper! I bought most of it at Home Depot.

Here is the video I used to learn from: Paint a car with Rustoleum

The only big change I did was you don't have to use a hair dryer. The little bubbles pop on their own.