Date:         Wed, 17 Jan 2001 08:50:41 -0800
Reply-To:     Craig Spaeth <spaeth@GORGE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Craig Spaeth <spaeth@GORGE.NET>
Subject:      Re: painting questions
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>
>
> Date:    Tue, 16 Jan 2001 23:59:24 EST
> From:    CHRISTOPHER FRYER <alienj@USA.NET>
> Subject: question about painting
>
> howdy, ive been thinking about all this seam rust, and once i get all tha=
> t
> ugly rust stopping primer and seam sealer on, im gonna want to paint my v=
> an,
> so does anyone know about the epa's laws conscerning diy painting? i alre=
> ady
> have a capable air compressor and spray paint adaptor as well as a protec=
> tive
> mask, so all id really need to build is the painting tent and buy the pai=
> nt,
> thereby saving lots even over a macco paint job. any input is greatly
> appreciated
> christopher fryer
> 87 gl syncro
>

I don't believe that any painting is really "allowed" without a properly filtered spray booth. You also want to make sure you have at the very minimum a full respirator with newly replaced organic
filters (make sure they are the right filters for what you are spraying). Even better is a fresh air supplied hood set up that delivers only clean air to you. You will probably spend more than a
Maaco paint job to get a good quality finish. By the time you get done with primer, sand paper and good quality paint you will probably be up around $500 or more. If you are careful it can be better
than the Maaco job. If you have not painted before and are not planning on doing more vehicles in the future, I would do the prep work yourself and then find a good paint shop and have them do the
spraying. It is more environmentally friendly, it is much more healthy for you and your finished work will probably be better. I have done a few paint jobs and obtained some decent results. If I can
do it so can anyone. You really need to decide if the health risk and amount of work are worth it. The cost savings will not be that great compared to Maaco type prices but you can do a "real" paint
job for less than a true paint shop would charge. Just be careful. These paints are nasty and can do permanent health damage in a short time.
good luck,
Craig
the Gorge VW club