16 replies to this topic

[Garrett Richardson]

Hi, I am new in the Spec Miata community and trying to get my feet wet into SM racing. I have a 1990 which I have made some upgrades within the limitations of the rules. Currently I am having trouble finding a paint shop for my car. All the local guys want over $2000 for just the outside and roll cage that I will be installing shortly. Any ideas on a cheaper way? Also is there anywhere I can go to find a used SM suspension set up or do I have to buy brand new? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Alberto]

Hi, I am new in the Spec Miata community and trying to get my feet wet into SM racing. I have a 1990 which I have made some upgrades within the limitations of the rules. Currently I am having trouble finding a paint shop for my car. All the local guys want over $2000 for just the outside and roll cage that I will be installing shortly. Any ideas on a cheaper way? Also is there anywhere I can go to find a used SM suspension set up or do I have to buy brand new? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Paint is expensive. Live with it or try Maaco. Interior you can DIY.

I wouldn't bother with a used SM suspension setup. Shocks take a lot of abuse.

The Spec Miata Constructors Manual by Dave Wheeler from Advanced Automotive is a good guide.
http://www.advanced-...db9b853d742ae61

[Kevin Anderson]

I Paint my own car, and over the years I have gotten pretty good at it. Saves a ton of money during repairs as well. I would say get a book, watch some how to videos and start learning.

[Danny Steyn]

30SpecRichRacing, in this thread are some decent build pics from the great new build that OPM did for me
might be some ideas for you
doing cage / interior / exterior in three different colors adds time and money and not for the faint hearted.
http://www.dannystey...iata-period.htm

[svvs]

30spec, $2K sounds like a big quote number. I've gotten a lot of cheaper quotes up here in NY.

What are you planning on doing with it? I told people I just wanted a single stage, one color job and prices were sub $1K.

[LarryKing]

Maaco can do an OK job if you do all the prep work yourself. Agree with Vick - single stage, one color, something common like OEM color - you WILL be repairing it.

[davew]

Always paint a race car the color of duct tape. You will learn why.

I paint all my interiors with Rust-o-leum. My method is described in the book.

The problem with Maaco is that their cheap paint is not any specific color. It is basicly a combination of what ever they could get their hands on for that 55 gallon drum of paint. The next drum will be slightly off color or off metallic.

Maybe somebody who owns a body shop (PINK) can chime in. The cost of paint has gone through the roof. Just the materials to paint a late model car with 3 stage paint can be well over $1000. Red has always been the most expensive paint with yellow not far behind.

Dave

[Alberto]

The cost of paint has gone through the roof. Just the materials to paint a late model car with 3 stage paint can be well over $1000. Red has always been the most expensive paint with yellow not far behind.

Dave

You ain't kidding... My SM is the first car I ever had painted. I spent about $5-600 on cheapo Sherwin Williams automotive paint in the OEM color + supplies. Never knew paint could cost so much.

[dstevens]

Always paint a race car the color of duct tape. You will learn why.

I paint all my interiors with Rust-o-leum. My method is described in the book.

Truer words have never been spoken.... Dave's brush and spray method in his book is cool but I use US made automotive paint from TCP Global. Just got another pint of hardener yesterday. (feel free to insert joke)

From PPG or Sherwin Williams the paint alone will be $400-500 depending on the color. Mazda red is code SU, about $55 a point and now that it's low VOC you don't have to use a reducer. Actually, I could be talking out my ass because the change to low VOC coincided with the option of using a reducer.

It's easy to do, it's messy as all hell and Wheeler's method is the low buck way for a good job. I've said it before, I use these guys, single stage urethane. I'm going to leave more paint on your car and the wall. So I like cheap but better than Rustoleum. Though I do use Rustoleum on some things.

The red and black is Rustoleum engine paint and the white is Ermine White TCP Golbal.



almost plumbed by Dave Stevens, on Flickr

My Dad was a comercial painter until the paint took out what was left of his lungs. They were real men , they didn't need breathing apparatus back then. It just interfered with the Pall Mall reds.... Seriously, he's lucky it didn't kill him but in three weeks he becomes the first male to make it 70 in the history of that side of the family. Unless his 3rd wife kills him but I think he can out run her..... We were going to paint the Miata and the trailer during the big birthday celebration weekend but both out wives found out and there will be no painting, or other car work that weekend.. And I don't know that I can outrun my wife and she was a marksman in the Marines. So no car working that weekend.

[suck fumes]

Maaco only charged me $350 for the whole outside and that was with primer. Looks awesome!

[Garrett Richardson]

30spec, $2K sounds like a big quote number. I've gotten a lot of cheaper quotes up here in NY.

What are you planning on doing with it? I told people I just wanted a single stage, one color job and prices were sub $1K.

Thats what I thought also I know the prices of paint are soaring but not for 2k for a single layer. I am keeping the original color (white) and adding some green on the back end.

[Garrett Richardson]

30SpecRichRacing, in this thread are some decent build pics from the great new build that OPM did for me
might be some ideas for you
doing cage / interior / exterior in three different colors adds time and money and not for the faint hearted.
http://www.dannystey...iata-period.htm

Beautiful car... Truly an amazing build. On the interior of the dash panel the carbon fiber background that holds the switches and guages I imagain that was all custom but I am looking at doing somthing similar to that.

[Tom Hampton]

I bought the paint for my car from Summit racing: 1 gallon of base color, 1 qt of the accent color. A local racer painted it for me. I did all the body work, and prep sanding before I took it to him.

I still have about 1/2 of thepaint leftover. Total cost was just under $1000.

[Adam Figarsky]

spray can for me....
anodized bronze for sides, semi flat for bumpers....original red for middle...beautiful in my eyes

[Rob Burgoon]

If you're new, I'm not sure making the car look pretty is such a good idea. My car got smashed pretty solidly in race weekend #2.

I've found it's much more enjoyable to have a race car that's hideous and fast. For aesthetics I stare at the street car instead.

[davidb]

Rust-o-lium white and a fine roller, lots of decals. My paint job cost around $30. At 50 feet and 50MPH it looks as good as most.

Rustolium gray for the interior stuff.

[dmq]

graffiti artist $200 of paint and a 12 pack

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=Clw8kEaL3Pk