I am not trying to be cheap, but I was just quoted $1,600 for a gallon of PPG paint.... So, I want to end up with a burnt orange color, multiple coats of paint and clear coat over the top. Yes, I want eye popping but I do not know what a reasonable price is per gallon. Any thoughts and recommendations on paint brand and what is reasonable price.... Are people really paying $1,600 a gallon??? This did not include any thinners, etc, just the paint.
Different colors will dictate different prices, but $1,600 for a gallon of paint is way out there. I just paid $100 for half a gallon of MAE Omni (a PPG product) champagne with gloss reducer (for the interior). Reds are the most costly and catalyzed paint will cost more. Where are you trying to buy this? Also...a large factor...some of today's paint isn't cut with thinner nor hardener too much. What I mean to say there is you may have a mix of 8 parts paint, 1 part thinner, 1 part hardener. So the take away of this is 1 gallon isn't going to go as far as yesterday's paint would have gone. And another thing...multiple coats? How many and why? Here's a trick I've used for a long time: 2 color coats to start, let this dry/cure and then the 3rd coat mix 50% color and 50% clear (with hardener) and spray that. Gives you the look of more depth. I'd be careful about putting on too many coats. Good luck. I've had really good luck with MAE Omni. It is very hard and durable plus the catalyzed paint is very glossy.
~ Jon 1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
One more comment on MAE Omni PPG paint. If you're using this for the interior and it will be de-glossed (which I suggest), wait at least a week before recoating it or painting over it if you have to sand out a spot for whatever reason. If you've de-glossed it, you can't add hardener...it will cause it to be glossy (which in an interior some people see as all wrong). This is acrylic enamel and a very good paint (especially for the money) but if you recoat it before it is dry it will crack, craze, lift, etc. But please don't take this as a criticism of MAE Omni. Every acrylic enamel without hardener I've ever used will do the same exact thing.
Also: BIG WARNING...catalyzed paint is harmful and dangerous. Hopefully you already know this. You can absorb harmful elements through your lungs and/or through your skin. Painting with this stuff is serious business. Use a professional grade face mask/ventilator and a paint suit if you can get one. Paint in as large of an area as possible. Personally I like to paint outside with a little breeze and then move the vehicle or part inside to finish drying. You can't have enough warning about this stuff.
~ Jon 1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
Try this place. Tamco Custom Paint I've been using them for my primer and top coat and I love the stuff so far. They are getting a lot of positive reviews from users, both production and custom. I'm using their stuff to refinish my OEM coat on my '98 C3500, so they can mix you up anything, including one off custom colors. Just call them and ask.
I will look at Tamco, interesting. I have settled on using a 2 part paint much like the color on the image you attached. Do you have a paint code ????? Probably a 3 stage job which is probably farther than my skill level and more than I can attempt right now.
That color is Toxic Sunburst that you can find on Tamco's custom color page. Click the link I posted! The only colors I have checked out so far have been Freedom Blue and Liberty Blue. Wanted to see what they would look like for my roadster project. Otherwise, I'm using single stage Summit White on my crew cab.
On the Facebook age, Tammy will mix up and show off new colors. One of the more helpful groups around, too! Like Stovebolt. Not like some of the other paint and body groups on Facebook where they just want to make fun of you or your work. And their tech support is outstanding. One gallon of that Toxic Sunburst Orange is less than 1/3 what PPG wants for their gallon! And Tamco does free shipping for any purchase over $200 or so.
Used Dupont Hot Hues Blue By You on a 34 Ford nine years ago when it was bargain priced at $425 a PINT. Hot Hues line has been discontinued but this color was for a 2004 Harley Davidson which probably explains the small size. Have paid almost 2k for a gallon of PPG which was for a 70 Camaro also burnt orange.
Small shot of Camaro with clear coat color sanded but not buffed. Will knock your eyes out in the sun.
Wow.... Can you get a quality red / orange color for $500 or less per gallon? Does not have to be a name brand, but a proven vendor? I understand price / quality and red's are expensive. But how do you know a quality mid grade paint. Want to be proud of the color but know I paid a fair price per gallon.
I think you need to find out which places supply actual body shops in your area and talk to them before you commit to any course of action. Maybe in Beaverton, Portland, someplace like that. Also...if there are any community colleges in your area teaching auto body repair, find out where they buy paint and what they use. Normally those guys gravitate toward paint that is easier to spray successfully. And honestly for somebody who doesn't have a lot of experience, mistakes can be painfully expensive, especially if you're using tricked out (expensive) colors. You can find some reds out there for around $200 per gallon from online vendors, but as the Italians say "procedere con piede di piombo" (literally---proceed with feet of lead). Loosely meaning "don't rush in." Friends of mine who have bought some of it have said it ok at best. Plus they said tech info was scant. PPG and other makers of professional grade paint will flood you with useful data if you ask for it. Good luck.
~ Jon 1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
So it's a little of topic but a chuckle may be in order. My uncle is big into Vettes and the Vette circle. Back in '78 he acquired a rare options '63 split window in rough shape. Being he had big connections at Ditzler he ordered a custom case of correct red paint....in rattle cans, no less. Did the body work and paint on the lift in his service station. Wet down the floor and had at it. Ended up with a show winner. Has a line on a holy grail he has had an eye on for 30 plus years...next up. Moral of the wind bag story is... There is nothing we can't do paint wise with some diligent searching and effort.
