car painting, Jams or body first.

Thats perfect. I was going to suggest you do it yourself and get alot of lighting but with a booth you'll kill 2 birds with one stone-light and ventilation. I have never done a complete car only blend repairs but I did do this with Imron. Exceeded my expectations and survived Irma on the windward side of the house without a scratch. Even the Colinite is beading up like I did it last week. It was awful big for the garage which made t harder but with a smaller vehicle and the booth,you guy's I'm sure can do it! Can't wait to see pic's Good Luck.

John,
I admire you, the project and taking the time for the project. This last spring my son came to me asking about painting his pretty beat up 4Runner off roader that BTW he beat up. The first question I had was how did he want it to look when done and he said like new. After explaining to him the amount of work HE would need to do. He backed down and realized the gains didn't warrant the work. So, I handed him the DA and told him to go to Ace and get a couple quarts of Rust-o-leum semi gloss black and some masking tape. Several days later I cranked up the compressor and showed him how to use the gun.
This guy would be proud on how it turned out!!

ouch....   a little on the steep sided for sure, but I bet their guys make more than minimum wage, and they probably use a higher grade of paint.    at 3200, I'd definitely shoot it myself.

Progress is being made.
I have the truck 90% straight and two coats of epoxy primer on so it wont rust out from under me. (whew, that was a big step) Man I love my purple HVLP gun, That thing packs paint on like nobodies business. I spent a few lunch hours on YouTube learning how to fix the glitches and set it up right. It works so much better now than the last (first) time I used it 5 years ago. I think the new compressor may have a lot to do with it as well. Laid down three full bottles and never had to wait for air. My 'puter is giving me crap about SD cards so when I get that fixed Ill load some progress pics.
Thanks for the help, Ill be back for more soon!

I use    Smartshoppers.com for all my paint needs.   Kirker paint.   Acrylic Urethane is my choice.   They are based in Louisville, Ky.     Best pricing that I have found.
They sell "kits" for ones that don't have a lot on hand left over from previous jobs. Very helpful customer service.

Love love your Bronco. That was my dream ride when I was 16.
Thanks for the advise. I have it down and straight and in epoxy primer right now. I have a guy coming tonight to give me a quote on painting it. Im just flat out of time.

Glad to hear his leg is fine......the rest of him is gonna be ok as well! I bet your father was thinking the same stuff about you.

john

Nice project truck for you and your son. Even with the investment where can you get a vehicle with all those new reliable parts for that cost. It should be a great vehicle for him.

Now I warn you, I did the exact same with both my boys when they were in High School..
Son # 1, we finished his, new engine, brakes, suspension, Clutch and interior.   Built it to be reliable for his next couple years of School.   All was great.   I had to go out of town for work for a week.   When I returned he had installed a Turbo, took it to the drags and blew the new engine.   I blew a gasket also but we fixed it and I taught him some about tuning with a turbo. Now he has mastered tuning and currently is making almost 900 HP at the rear tire and has not blown an engine in several years.
Son #2, his uncle gave him a S-10 Chevy pickup with a bad engine.   We built a new engine, replaced the clutch brakes, AC got it running perfect and then tackled body work and painted it, new tires and rims and he had a great truck that could take him through school.
Couple months after completion he comes to me and says, Dad a guy wants to buy my truck and I found a Z28 with a blown motor to replace it.   So we did it again. Z28 turned out great, just a new engine in this one, we did it at home.
Drove it about a year and comes to me once again, same story, he has a buyer for his Z28 and found a nice BMW but it has a blown clutch.   
Financially son #2 was way ahead of number one, he kept upgrading till he had a very nice 525i BMW and was never really out of pocket much cash.   Son #1 found out racing is for those with income not students.   Good lessons and great memories for the kids when we look back.
I hope your son really appreciates what you guys are doing and enjoys his new ride!

I actually looked at Maaco in town last month. Nice guys and all but some real crappy work seen in the drive. I think it was $1200 for two stage paint, no dents. Not bad really.. but... Also I'm in South Florida. Unless really good clear is used the sun will kill it in a couple years.
I figure I'm in this deep, may as well keep swimming. Why else do I have that big compressor and those HVLP guns? Thats what my wife keeps asking me anyway.. :)

Yes, metallic charcoal so it has to be painted together. Also I suck at fitting panels. It took me for freaking ever to fit the gaps right and I aint gonna go through that again.
The truck is a beater, but a nice beater, first car for #1 son.
1992 Toyota 2WD, 22RE full engine rebuild, 3" lift on 16" wheels and 29" tires. Paint matched shell and tauna cover.
1500 for truck,
1100 in engine parts and machine work.
300 all new AC
1200 in suspension and wheels / tires
180 so far in sand paper and primer.
I already spent more than its worth so that's why I'm painting it and not spending another 3K to have it done.

Duane in Indy wrote: #1 will not work with a metallic finish as your pattern will show.

Good point never asked what color

What's the truck worth?
I would do #1 if the trucks worth bigger $'s
#2 if not worth big $'s and don't get crazy worried over some overspray in the jambs