MGB: Complete Body Restoration Budget

I am in the process of developing a restoration budget for a 1970 MGB and was looking for some advice.

My plan is a complete ground up restoration, but show quality, more of a daily driver.

Does anyone have an estimate on how much (in gallons) paint is needed to for a complete body paint job?

I am planning on stripping the car to bare metal (top to bottom) and fix all of the rusted sheetmetal. Once complete, I am going to prime, POR15 (as required), and paint the entire body.

I have a good friend with a complete shop (paint booth, media blaster, etc.), that is going to take the lead in the bodywork area.

No one can give you an answer without knowing how much of the work you will be doing with your own hands.
Also the shop/tools you may need to purchase and the condition of the car.
Green B cost 1500 to buy and was about 9500 when complete. The car needed new sills and paint. The interior and hood were replaced, every system was rebuilt, The engine rebuilding machine work was the only thing hired out. The overdrive was removed from another car that I bought. My workshop with tools are valued at 20000.

One gallon of paint not ready to spray paint will be your best bet. Allow about 200 to 300 for abrasives and cleaners.

The big pieces factor out as follows:

Budget $1,000 for high quality paint and materials.
I pay $400 for someone to squirt the paint on in his booth.
If you do rockers, Moss sells the bits for $660
Floors are about 200 each.
Sandblast the shell from $1200
Beer should run about $3000 if you are really doing a good job.

Somehow, it always ends up at $5000 when it is all said and done. Not including labour or beer.

Pete

Peter is on the money with supplies. My car is very near to being painted and materials alone for all the sanding and body work are near $1000. That's without paying anyone else for labor. On top of that, Peters estimate for booth and painter on pretty much spot on. A Complete interior set if you need carpet, seats, panels, seat belts...easily 1500 if you shop around. Figure a couple extra hundred for all the little things, rubber seals, lights, New badges, or anything else.

If you hire the work out, shop around, it is VERY expensive in a professional shop. Look at the shops finished work. Make sure they can turn out the quality you want for the budget you have.

didnt mean to post twice.

Thank you for your replies, but I think I did not word my question very well.

I am looking for how many gallons of paint would be required to paint the entire vehicle. I am not looking for a price!

Based on the experience of the forum, will (1) gallon be enough? Or should I plan on (2) gallons.

I feel pretty comfortable we have a handle on all of the ancillary components.

As for labor, he is a good friend and cost is not an issue. As for equipment, he has everything! Media blaster capable of handling the entire vehicle, no cost, hot dip the engine block, no cost, full body rotator, done...

The only thing we would send out is any special machining, like the crank, cam, etc.

This is one nice thing about living in the Detroit area.

to paint the entire car...inside and underneath......1 gallon will not do it...2 will be plenty.

If you are going to strip the entire body including cleaning and repainting the interior, trunk, under hood, and bottom then I'd get at least 1 1/2 gallons of color. You may not use it all but you'll have some for future touch up work if needed. If it's just the exterior you're doing and not a color change then you could probably get by with one gallon of color. I used a little over 3 quarts of color to redo my Midget with a color change, but I didn't do the bottom of the car. Figure at least a gallon and a half of primer as well.

Thank you very much!

Can I have your friend?

I would say 1 gallon for the exterior surfaces.

I would also say any MG restoration done right will cost 10-15k maybe more...

Paint colour would vary much if it is metallic or solid with clear over.

Which are you doing?

I had my truck painted for $1400 at the school. I only paid for materials with a 25% discount on the paint/etc.

Also, I just bought a gallon of primer and hardener - $321 for just that. I am budgeting a grand for material or better for the B.

You will be in for a grand in materials - $5-6 for a good to show quality paint job if you have a pro do it.

The sheetmetal repairs (if needed) and time to prep will take all your time. Painting it is the easist part.

Also remember - step 1 - remove windshield (not fun) and all the rest of the trim.

Put in the budget to get new side mouldings (why put dented old mouldings on a new paint job)

Painting the engine bay? Lots of stuff to remove!

It is a lot more than scratching the paint and priming and painting! Lots of prep to get a decent paint job, never mind a show quality one!

OOPS! Guess I should learn to read better! I think the tittle sent me off in the wrong direction.."Complete Body Restoration Budget "

Gallon and a half of paint should do the job if you are doing the whole car.

Pete

I did the same 4 years ago. We used just short of 2 gallons. I will say that if you look inside the doors on my B they look just as good as the outside of the car.

I used two + but I painted the inside of the fenders while they were off. Paint, tilt the panel and let it run in the cracks Up around the head lights and taillights. after that undercoat same with the inside of the bottom of the doors. Once you get rid of the rust all the rust. Cut and weld or cut and replace totaly it will come back if you don't. Paint all the metal you can where you can and is practial use rubberzied undercoat. Then don't drive in the rain.

Quantities depend upon what painting system you are using. I'm considering using PPG Delron clear coat system on my car with a subtle metallic fleck in the clear coar. I've got a friend who works in the business and he told me I should estimate a quart of color for the exterior with about a gallon of reduced clear coat. Total paint materials estimate was $500.

I bought 2 gallons of single stage Deltron DAU when I did mine. Everything was painted inside & out ..bottom...everything. I have about a half gallon left just in case!

You did mention "budget" twice. Once in the title and again in the message. To most of us, budget means money. No harm though. You got some free estimates plus your question answered. :D