Mechanically inclined noob

**Scottydoggs** · 09-08-2014

before.

after.

then after wet sanding and a buffer.

ive never painted anything this large. all i did was watch a lot of youtube vids on painting bumpers. used dulicolor rattle can and clear coat. prep is key.

if your car is black, looks like it is, get GM metallic black. the flake is hardly there, but if you look real deep into your old paint you may see some flake.

**keonmakesbeatz** · 09-08-2014

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

ive never painted anything this large. all i did was watch a lot of youtube vids on painting bumpers. used dulicolor rattle can and clear coat. prep is key.

if your car is black, looks like it is, get GM metallic black. the flake is hardly there, but if you look real deep into your old paint you may see some flake.

Prep seems like the most extensive part. I do see flakes in my paint.

Thanks this helps me so much! I was afraid I was gonna have to just paint everything over or have it mismatch.

I watch a lot of YouTube about cars and car technology and stuff like that. it seems like it would take HOURS just to sand it down correctly (I'm talking about repainting a whole car).

How do you feel about carbon fiber wrap?

**Scottydoggs** · 09-08-2014

you'll want to take the bumpers off the car to paint them. sand do all the big pre on the car, then take it off to do the sides and edges.

use a tall saw horse to hold it and do it in a place that you can leave it sit over night.

i did fix a large crack on the lower part of the front, ran out of epoxy but its under the car and not seen. its still holding today. some kits have a mesh to lay in the filler over the crack on the back side then coat the mesh to make a stronger bond, i just laid it on a bit thick on the back side and filled the face, sanded smooth. yours would need a heat gun and lots of mesh, or hot staples to hold the crack together.

your rear bumper, it may just be easier to find a used one, if not in your color, you know you can paint it.

**keonmakesbeatz** · 09-08-2014

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

you'll want to take the bumpers off the car to paint them. sand do all the big pre on the car, then take it off to do the sides and edges.

Thanks for the help! Painting is one of the many things that I'm eager to do. And replies made me feel quite a bit better about taking on this task.

**BillBoost37** · 09-08-2014

I've found some of the easiest body work is ... if the panel is bolted on.. find a new one in the right color from a junk yard. That is the easiest

**stocker** · 09-08-2014

Originally Posted by keonmakesbeatz

I am on an extremely tight budget.

Where do turbo setups and carbon fiber wraps fit into this?

**keonmakesbeatz** · 09-08-2014

Originally Posted by stocker

Where do turbo setups and carbon fiber wraps fit into this?

Lmao .................. I have dreams ya know

**keonmakesbeatz** · 09-08-2014

A turbo is more of a long term goal and vinyl wrap isn't expensive . I dont want real carbon fiber, just the look

**BillBoost37** · 09-08-2014

Never hurts to ask a billion questions, be knowledgeable so when he bumps off a relative and has money.. he can mod a Giant Pile

**keonmakesbeatz** · 09-08-2014

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

Never hurts to ask a billion questions, be knowledgeable so when he bumps off a relative and has money.. he can mod a Giant Pile

Thank you.

**BillBoost37** · 09-08-2014

My paypal is........................ lol

**keonmakesbeatz** · 09-08-2014

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

My paypal is........................ lol

Hahaha I'd gladly pay for knowledge!

This comment actually made me want to start donating to the members in this forum. Though I can't do this right now, you guys are extremely helpful and you aren't obligated to tell me ANYTHING. I personally feel like I should give back in some kind of way.

Just a thought for now.

**stocker** · 09-08-2014

Originally Posted by keonmakesbeatz

Lmao .................. I have dreams ya know

I'm all for dreaming dude. I have also dreamt about, and spent a lot of time researching, turbo setups on my NA. If you actually need a reliable car right now, my best advice would be to turn this into a reliable driver first. Get it running and shifting correctly so you can always get into work and make that paper for your new ride. Once you've got it running like a champ start buffing the heck out of it and getting the cosmetics back in shape.

Also, try to stay practical. If a used engine or transmission are almost as cheap as buying all the tools and rebuilding yours, sometimes its best to just get the package deal. I'd love to try rebuilding a transmission or engine but I'm not going to do to my daily driver and risk not making it into work.

I do like your enthusiasm though - don't lose that.

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

Never hurts to ask a billion questions, be knowledgeable so when he bumps off a relative and has money.. he can mod a Giant Pile

Haha.

**stocker** · 09-08-2014

http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...p-this-site-on

**keonmakesbeatz** · 09-08-2014

Originally Posted by stocker

I'm all for dreaming dude. I have also dreamt about, and spent a lot of time researching, turbo setups on my NA. If you actually need a reliable car right now, my best advice would be to turn this into a reliable driver first. Get it running and shifting correctly so you can always get into work and make that paper for your new ride. Once you've got it running like a champ start buffing the heck out of it and getting the cosmetics back in shape.

Also, try to stay practical. If a used engine or transmission are almost as cheap as buying all the tools and rebuilding yours, sometimes its best to just get the package deal. I'd love to try rebuilding a transmission or engine but I'm not going to do to my daily driver and risk not making it into work.

I do like your enthusiasm though - don't lose that.

Actually, I did come into this project with the wrong direction. I instantly thought "my car is gonna be so fast" as soon as I got it. That made me overlook a lot of different things like fluids and tires.

All I do is read about cars and I've read a lot on the 97-03 Grand Prix in particular. I watch videos on installs of different parts and other stuff alike. There is something about putting things together and making them work that gets me going haha.

I will most likely plan out exactly what I want done to this car starting with maintenance. I have the manual and I think the tell you what should be replaced at certain mileages. I believe this car has about 140k on it.

I can't wait to post pictures and videos of a car I worked on myself and receive feedback on my work.

Or to see my car being posted on various W body instagram pages.

**stocker** · 09-08-2014

Nice, keep reading - you'll find almost all the information you could ever need. The rest is just jumping in and doing it.

**BillBoost37** · 09-08-2014

Saving, reading and planning are good. On my current Regal, I had a ton of parts and no car. Friends called it the ghost car. I had stereo, subframe, suspension, etc etc etc. Tons of stuff.

Once you have learned enough etc, you'll tell your fiance that you are heading to the other house to do some work on the house. End up discussing a noise with a buddy and before you know it.. you've done this to prove to the buddy that it's a flexplate and not a rod bearing.

Started at 1-2pm was out driving it by 6pm and when I got home, I had the garage to house door open to let her see that I brought the car home. She had seen the above picture already (only comment was "be safe")... she didn't flinch at the fact that a couple hours before she got a picture of the car in pieces and then it's in the garage and she's looking at it. Meanwhile I was standing there, feeling damn proud of the accomplishment.