You should really take a few tours around Dans Site here

//restorationmini.com/forum/index.php?action=forum

 Dan is really good- responsive- and great at pointer all around - the FAQ is invaluable.

Buying the BEST PAINT- and the BEST TOP COAT can all go directly into the garbage if your prep work is not of the best quality.  Good paint jobs are 70% prep work 10% Primer 20% top coat paint. 

Blemsihes, contaminants. debris . quality matearials all go into play.

 WIth GOOD high level paint + reducers these days coming in around 200$ per gallon for the complete needs-- wasting that product is the largest risk. Plus sandpapers + all the other things- walking out the paint store under 500$ is near impossible.

Take your time - Rushing a project will yeild bad results. you have alot of sanding infront of you...

2K barely puts nice slick color on a car.

Just one of the breweries I work in is capable of putting out about 14million 12oz beers..... in a day.
That gonna be enough? Or, do we need to call on another brewery?
 

i really have no idea on which car paint to buy, i just want the best brand and best qualit, since i did my own body repair and primer, i will not skimp on the top coat.

question:?  what should be put on the bare metal? filler or primer?  i totally know nothing about paint job, i only rely on you tube video tutorials.

As MtyMouse and others suggested you may want to talk to Dan about panels.  I also would talk to him about paint and primer.  

It sounds like you are doing this yourself on a budget.  You need to decide now on how the final paint is going to be handled.  Some painters will not consider putting a top coat on top of primer that you applied as what will be seen is your work poking through their work.  If you find a painter willing to top coat your bodywork and primer, you need to use a primer that is compatible with their top coat... not the rattle can stuff.  If you are planning on applying the paint yourself, there are online sources for paint that will be less expensive than "name brand" paints (like PPG, DuPont, etc.) through local distributors.  Since you are in AZ, shipping should not be too bad if you order from the "restoration shop" at TCP Global.  I have used their catalyzed enamel and single stage urethanes on a couple of cars.  They are affordable paints particularly if you order from their fleet colors as opposed to having a mix made to match factory colors.

I'm with Larry on panel replacement! do it properly once and for all! Thankully we've got Zippo in the brew business, so no problem running lean on beer supply  

If you have mig by all means use it. Tig even better.

Where in AZ are you, doesn't say in profile.

PS, unless you're nailing boards to the floors of the mini, replace the claw hammer with a ball-peen hammer.

hi dimitri...

thanks Ccake, yes i will cut the old rusty sheet , its nasty and gonna add up to the weight as well, ty!

now the gas tank is out, im gonna do some cutting and welding... 

whats the consensus? acetylene or mig welder??

I can see making your own small patch panels ... rather than cutting up stamped panels ... but for big panels you'd be advised to use stamped panels. Its gonna take a lot of work to dress your crude home made panels for painting and Dimitris will have to bring lotsa beer. There's a good word for putting new panels, home made or otherwise, over old rusty ones .... BODGE. Do it right. Cut the rusty parts out. 

no body advice but I'm bringin the beers...  

I have an entire front disc assembly for sale. Last buyer backed out on me because he was selling his car to some dude in Mexico... Lol. So evreything is in a couple boxes ready to ship. And I'm sending out some driving lights to a guy on Monday so I'll be going that way anyway. My parts include hubs, braided lines, rotors, calipers, bearings, ball joints, and much more. It's everything you need to bolt up and go. The ad is still up in the for sale parts section. I've reduced the price.

//www.minimania.com/cars4sale/12368/Part__Mini_84__rotors__calipers__hu

By the way, $2k for stripping, repair panels, prep, and paint would be an absolute steal. Unless you're talking to a MAACO type shop that is just going to do a quick and dirty job. And for what it's worth, you really should look into restorationmini.com and talk to Dan about panels. He's got the best prices around and you will likely regret puting panels over panels. I know that I found some of that on my car when I started the restoration and the panels under them were GONE. haha.

Just an opinion from a guy whoe is in the restoration process as well. I'm always available for advice if you'd like. I may not have all the answers, but I can try to at least give you my experiences or point you in the right direction. My email is in my profile.

Lol, is $2k low or high?...metal works plus paint.., hmm maybe that guy i talked to is ripping me off..lol

i did  few metal patches,i think its ok to put it over the old sheet, we ha a dry weather here in Arizona and the humidity is ranging to 5-10% ,i think it will stay rust free for a long time.,but yah i know the resale value is low if the buyer peep underneath the carpet and see those patches.yikes,, well i treat the old metal with 3m anti rust compound,then gray primer.

i will start welding those bended metal tomorrow..im so excited.

again, it's a project hey!!..lol

thanks for the replies guys...

anybody here selling their old or extra dic brake assembly?,,,i still have the drum brake in front i notice braking is not strong..

There are better air hammer fittings.  Flat tips.  Every sharp indention you make is a crack former.

Good on you, taking on the task by yourself, though.

Bodyshop?....$2K?  ...haha

Wow- best of luck to ya - Keep on chuggin- your project your proirites.

I have to say/ Comment tho ( NO harm here- just nothow I would proceed ) but...

 - WOW.. Hammering in your own. Formed panels!!!! Yikes- Loud- and time consuming and Whew. I hope your'e not planning on putting them in ON TOP of the old panels - Rust Maker / Creator you will be doing.

Whole Front half floor pan 36$

//restorationmini.com/forum/index.php?action=store;sa=view;id=16

Goodluck!

.. and im aloting some time for my lovely mini., doing some body work and removing the old paint. Honestly i can just bring the car to the body shop and pay them 2 grand for the body work but i'd like to do it myself, ive been watching body repair tutorial in youtube since last week, i think i can do it, i already have the tools.

its a project hey!!!  any input and ideas will be greatly appreciated.. thanks

more pics to come..