Prep/Paint Full 97 Eclipse Conversion

For those that haven't seen the car before, it was a 1995 Talon awd converted into a 97 Eclipse. I drove it all winter with 5 different colors and now it's time to paint it.

I decided that if i'm going to spend any money on paint I want it done properly, but I don't have 8 grand to spend on a proper job. To solve the money problem, I decided to do all the prep work myself and strip all the paint off down to the bare metal. Paint will be done by the body shop.

Here are some pictures of the progress so far.

[img]http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/matrixhunter/IMG00089-20090506-1841.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/matrixhunter/IMG00090-20090506-1943.jpg[/img]

eeek the chemical stripper....make sure you tell them you used it otherwise you'll have some nasty surprises in the not too distant future...

It's going to be sanded down to bare metal, and properly washed before it goes to the shop and they will be doing the final prep.

Also there were over 7 layers of paint on the car!! repainted atleast twice and the paint chipped so easily there was no way it could painted again. Every rubber seal has been removed, so there is no place the stipper can hide to haunt me later!

Stripping it was definitely the right thing to do. Its just that if some stripper dries up in the creases or anywhere, the second it gets water to it....well you know what it does

Just don't want you to spend double the amount after having done all that work.

What do you suggest I wash the car with once it's all sanded? Is there a special liquid I should buy or do I just wash it with water properly?

I wouldn't recommend any water at all as it is going to be bare steel. Once you're done with the sanding, blow it all completely. Go by some Wax and Grease remover at Napa (otherwise called Final-Wash or final-Wipe), wash the whole car with it. The proper way to do it is to have 2 rags, soak one rag with the cleaner, wipe an area and using the second dry rag, dry it up right away. Repeat on the whole car.

When you bring it to the body shop, tell them what you did and tell them you used a chemical stripper and washed the car with final-wash but thought they should know about the chemical stripper.

That should do it

Just don't use water.

ok thanks!

I like how you got the mailman to help you ... no wonder my packages are always late ....
Just kidding .. I'm assuming that's your old man. Nice father and son bonding!!

looking good!!! Can't wait to see more!!

How long does it take to strip down a door lets say? How many hours have you put in it so far? It looks good so far are you also going to spray primer on it.

keep it up bud she will be nice one day

Very nice man.

I'm thinking about doing the same to my car before i send it out to be painted. I'm going to be getting it towed back to ryans tonight, pictures to follow.

The car is now about 90% done, only one door left. Every inch of the exterior has been taken to bare metal. Every piece of trim including all the windwos have been removed. It has been cleaned twice with degreaser and sanded down twice also.

I've decided to get the car painted in the Lancer Evo Graphite Gray - A39 MZ313354 color.

http://www.evoxforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11014&page=2

i'll post up the rest of the pictures tommorow before it's goes off to the body shop.

How's it coming? Can't wait to see your hard work pay off!

Wow, that's a nice color.

Can't wait to see it.

If you dont mind telling us see what the shop would have charged vs what they actually end up charging.

some new pictures

Looking good James, next you'll have to sink some money in your interior to clean it up!

The cars interior is fine just a bit dirty from all the sanding soon this car is gona look good with the new paintjob.

How much are they charging you for the paint job.

Youve left me hanging on this, update james.

I'll update everything once I get the car back from paint. The total is going to be $1800 which includes new trim for all windows and a new windshield and better quality paint.

That's really reasonable! Looking forward to seeing it completed.

Sideskirts were left in the trunk. This is how I drove it to the paint shop.

You should just sand it to the metal and clear coat it... Delorean style

^^^ thats what im doing to my laser right now:)

uhhh what about the plastic parts???

when you see, it will all make sense

^^yea

Well in that case it better make sense AND look good
because Im really not understanding

good its a secret, now shhh
Feed us updates

I took a look at the car a few days ago, it is fully primed now, i'd imagine it should be done by the end of the week. I'll post pictures once I get it back.

Taking their time huh

I just realized these pictures are really overdue! I'll have them up tonight. The car looks excellent!

Looks great James!

looking good james gotta go for a ride in it sometime!

turned out really nice! Hot car!

Fix the fender / hood gap.

Definatley looking good, but agreed, fix that fender. Looks more like the front corner of the fender needs to be moved down?? If that is possible.

Pretty sure is more of a matter of simply adjusting the rubber cushion(stopper) for the hood upward slightly.

I know that that is adjustable, and may be part of the problem. But my hood is very close/tight to the headligts, and doesnt have a problem. And I m not shure if it was a bolting problem, but there is a small gap between the fender and bumper. Looks like the bumper couldnt go any higher because the headlight is in the way. Almost like the fender just wasnt bolted on quite right.

It's fixed now, the rubber needed to raised. The bumper was missing the metal spacer, and the bottom fender bolts had to be tightened.

James, that turned out awesome!

Great job. I wish I had the patience for this.