Progress Thread (I'm doing the $50.00 paint job).

[SkycapChris]

I am about to do the $50.00 paint job. I will use this thread as my "Progress Thread". I will post before and after pictures as well. I am starting tomorrow, so check back then for all day long updates.

I do have a few questions though about how to prep the car.
I need to remove the "Toyota", "Camry", "LE", and "V6" emblems on the back of my car and am not sure how to remove them. Do I just pry them off? How do I put them back on? Also, the same questions for the long "strips" that go along the side of the car.

Thanks and be sure to check it out. My clear coat is peeling real bad and it makes the car look horrible. I can't wait till this is complete.

[SilverSportNOLA]

Good Luck with it .... I am considering this for my DelSol ... then maybe the mustang if I ever get that project started before it rusts away. As far as the emblems go, you can usually get them off with some WD40 and Dental Floss ... they are usually just held on with double sided tape, which you will need to replace to reinstall them, use an xacto knife to trim out the extra double sided tape.

[SkycapChris]

Thank, Silver.

Here are some BEFORE pictures.

BEFORE

[atobe]

unfortunately the badges on the camry isn't held on by double sided tape .. there's 2 pegs that holds on the DX/LE sign and 3 each for the toyota and camry. i'm not too sure about the V6. but i'm betting that has 2 pegs too. ... the side moldings are on by clips you can pry them off. i think.

as for prepping... i'd say sand the whole car with 100,220,400 if you wanna.. i'm pretty sure 100 is fine to get the clear coat of.. or else the paint won't stick.. and it'll be flaking off in a few months... but that's for automotive paint though.. i'm not so sure about the rustomelm paint.

good luck with the project keep us posted

[Kep]

A good thing to keep in mind when prepping for a paint job is that the new paint will not cover up rough spots. If the base isn't smooth the finished job won't be smooth either. Also, clean the surface before painting. Places that you have touched may have oil from your skin and the new paint may not grip. Try not to get into a rush.

Kep