Thread: 23 T-Bucket Build

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Well I first decided to do a rebuild on my motor but after pulling the motor and finding out that its going to take a lot more than expected Im going to get a motor built. I talked to a friend who happens to own a machine shop and he will build me one. Its probably going to take a couple months(this is his busy season). well now I can work on other things I want to do. My question is does anyone know about how much to get the body repainted? It has spider cracks so I know the gel coat is going to need attention. Would like to go with a candy apple red. Just trying to find a ball park of what kind of money Im looking at for paint.

If you are willing to sand and prep yourself you can save a bunch. In my area, depending on the quality and amount of work you want to do yourself, painting a candy color could be between $1000.00 (painting only) to $10,000.00 complete for a T Bucket.
And, BTW, candy red is an awesome color on aT Bucket.

WOW, I was thinking around 1000.00 but 10K no way. Hell there isn't anything there. I may prep myself but I need to do a lot of research. I don't know anything about paint, gel coat etc.

Originally Posted by sefrayser

WOW, I was thinking around 1000.00 but 10K no way. Hell there isn't anything there. I may prep myself but I need to do a lot of research. I don't know anything about paint, gel coat etc.

Welcome to paint, lol.
There are a lot of guys here that do paint and prep themselves and can give you plenty of tips. Aside from the cost of paints used (which in itself can surprise you on the cost), the other most time consuming and costly part is the prep work. Now keep in mind I considered the size of your T Bucket when I suggested pricing. It all depends on what you want, I've seen some pretty nice daily driver paint jobs come out of Maco priced at less than $1000.00. But show quality paint ain't gonna come from them and candy paints cost more.

I have been searching the web on how to prep the fiberglass myself. I have not had any luck. The paint has cracks in it on the cowl and a couple other places. I don't know if its stress cracks in fiberglass or paint. All I want to get painted is the body, radiator shroud and dash. Wouldn't think it would take more than 2 Qts.

Around here some hotrodder's on a budget have done basic prep and priming then go to one of the cheaper auto painting places like Maco or earl shibe, and bring there own paint to them, and have them spray and color sand. I know a guy who went this route with his 55 chevy in a two tone green pattern, and got it all done for about 5500. It came out real nice. I haven't painted my own truck yet, but am going to give summits paint a shot. Hot rod magazine did a feature on it and had good things to say for the quality and price(400.00 for all of the paint to do my 48 F1 truck.) But if you go for some of the better high end paints you could be paying thousands just for the cans of paint, and then your gonna want to spend thousands to get it painted on the vehicle, so like 36 sedan said, you can pay as much as a car costs to build just for paint!
Don did a nice t-bucket for a reasonable amount of cash and didn't spend too much on paint, his build thread is project 3k here it's a great read
Project $ 3 K Is Underway

Well what went from a engine change and paint job is now a full resto. I have the body ready to remove. Everything is out of it. I wanted to try to save the interior but I guess 30 yo interior had other plans. When I was removing it, it tore. So now I'm looking at probably 10K for a rebuild. The good thing is my wife is on board and said "do it like you want". Oh Oh she started something.

Originally Posted by sefrayser

Well what went from a engine change and paint job is now a full resto. I have the body ready to remove. Everything is out of it. I wanted to try to save the interior but I guess 30 yo interior had other plans. When I was removing it, it tore. So now I'm looking at probably 10K for a rebuild. The good thing is my wife is on board and said "do it like you want". Oh Oh she started something.

Welcome to the world of being a hot rodder! Just remember it'll cost twice what you figure on spending and take twice as long!!! ( insert evil laugh )

And every day you stay... we add another link to your chain!!!

I hope it doesn't cost 20K, Hell I was over estimating the 10K. For 20K I could build a new one from ground up.

Originally Posted by sefrayser

For 20K I could build a new one from ground up.

Famous last words!

Originally Posted by 34_40

Famous last words!

I think it was Jim Robinson who said it really depends on how many pre-fabricated parts you buy, and how much you visit the salvage yard and find things that you can make work. If you go into it letting the big brown truck, UPS and USPS bring your parts you'd be hard pressed to stay under $20K all done.

Yes, a budget can be done.. and lived within!
But - There will be compromises between wants and needs.

Buy used books for cheap and learn how to do stuff.......

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...0&sr=1-1-fkmr0

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...condition=used

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...condition=used

The "How to paint your car" used book for 1 cent has to be the best deal on the planet.

.

YES, gotta invest some sweat equity to help hold you within budget, the more you can do yourself will only be a benefit.

Besides, buying tools is a blast!

Well I got the body off today. I have a chevy 10 bolt rear in it. The ID for it is 3725899 it also has a 2163 and T8 stamped on it. I found a perfectly round open hole about 3/8 in one of the axle tubes on the left side. Is it supposed to be there?