Why paint a PT Cruise..?

[nvr2old]

Thanks, Steve. Such a small amount of contrast goes a long way. Same with the orange on the rims I think.

[Vmass]

Nice job, Larry! I painted two cars in my lifetime, a 1975 Grand Prix and a 1973 Firebird and I remember how much work it was! You make this look so easy...Lol.

Pinstripe really does pull the two-tone together and the last shot from front left is it's photogenic side. Thanks for sharing.

[Hayabuser]

You never have to justify a labour of love. Lots of us are into things that mainstreamers would laugh at... like old Suzuki motorcycles.

I had a Fiero GT for awhile, fun car with great styling. Total pariah but I didn't care. Now I'm looking at a Neon SRT-4 to buzz around in. Again, it may as well be a Pacer in the eyes of the collective but the 250-ish horsepower gives it a fun-factor that can't easily be matched on four wheels at its price-point.

I wish I could paint like you can, looks like it turned out amazing.

[nvr2old]

You never have to justify a labour of love. Lots of us are into things that mainstreamers would laugh at... like old Suzuki motorcycles.

I had a Fiero GT for awhile, fun car with great styling. Total pariah but I didn't care. Now I'm looking at a Neon SRT-4 to buzz around in. Again, it may as well be a Pacer in the eyes of the collective but the 250-ish horsepower gives it a fun-factor that can't easily be matched on four wheels at its price-point.

I wish I could paint like you can, looks like it turned out amazing.

Thanks for the compliment. I always thought the later model Fiero GTs were pretty cars. The SRT Neons are sleepers, for sure. I've had several chances to drive a Turbo PT..and always passed on it. I was told, "Why not..? They really cook.." I know..and that was the reason. I knew if I drove a turbo version, I'd never be satisfied with my measly 150 hp ever again. With a 5 spd..it's adequate, though.

[nvr2old]

Nice job, Larry! I painted two cars in my lifetime, a 1975 Grand Prix and a 1973 Firebird and I remember how much work it was! You make this look so easy...Lol.

Pinstripe really does pull the two-tone together and the last shot from front left is it's photogenic side. Thanks for sharing.

Wow..those Pontiacs are a big cars..I can understand why they were difficult. I've painted a lot of cars, but very few by myself. It is a ton of work, and believe me, I felt it. I was lucky there was very little body work, but the 14 hr. day in the spray booth just about killed me..lol. Glad it's done, and happy with the results. At this age if I paint another car, it'll be too soon. I'll stick to bikes.

[Hayabuser]

Thanks for the compliment. I always thought the later model Fiero GTs were pretty cars. The SRT Neons are sleepers, for sure. I've had several chances to drive a Turbo PT..and always passed on it. I was told, "Why not..? They really cook.." I know..and that was the reason. I knew if I drove a turbo version, I'd never be satisfied with my measly 150 hp ever again. With a 5 spd..it's adequate, though.

The guy who owns the Neon I'm looking at also owns two GT Cruiser convertibles with the same 2.4L turbo drivetrain as the SRT. He says they're a ton of fun too and surprise a lot of people when the light turns green.

[pete]

The end result is fantastic Larry, great job as always!

[SleepyC]

That looks awesome.
I'm just getting back into painting. I just did my 1980 850G and it struck a chord with me.
Now I'm looking at some new HVLP guns and systems and possibly going to start moonlighting painting bikes...
There is nothing better than seeing your hard work come together with 3 coats of 2K clear!

20200928_140733.jpg

[Big T]

Larry, you must be the only guy with a PT that hasn't covered it with chrome farkles

Nice work, as always

[nvr2old]

That's funny, T ..I too've seen so many PT Cruisers with 100 pounds of stick on gee-gaws all over them. Very similar to when Honda released the 1st Goldwings and the aftermarket went crazy with chrome add-ons. Less is more has always been my approach.

Thanks also, Pete, for the kind words.

SleepyC, I encourage anyone to pick up a paint gun. Pete, Chuck, Ed, Bill, and many others on this site do their own painting and have done it very well.

[GS1150Pilot]

The HHR is a cool ride. Too bad about it's fate, Bill. They were right there during that whole neo-retro thing. Some people don't want to acknowledge these cars led to the return of the new Mustang, Challenger and Camaro.

Although it's hard to tell, I got the silver all scuffed today. Tape protects moldings, chrome and bumpers.



Sanding each and every tooth of that grill was a challenge to one's sanity..



I drove this car w/o a front license plate for about 4 years..after getting stopped for it multiple times, I relented and found an aftermarket bracket that mounts it below the bumper instead of right in the center of it.

After getting it totally scuffed down, I cleaned and sanded inside the door openings. Amazing how much crap, dirt, and leaves finds it's way into cubby holes just waiting to be blown out onto a brand new paint job.



Ready for masking and painting..2 days early. I'm pretty stoked about how it went. Can't wait to paint it.

This may have been covered elsewhere, but what wheels are you using? I'm probably going to buy a low mileage PT and have always liked the way solid wheels look on them.

[nvr2old]

This may have been covered elsewhere, but what wheels are you using? I'm probably going to buy a low mileage PT and have always liked the way solid wheels look on them.

I bought these wheels from a company in California called Wheelsmith. These were the first set for a PT Cruiser he made. The're 16" Smoothies. The caps and wheel trim were/are also available through his business. I think I paid around $600 for the set, but that was almost 20 years ago. They also came bare steel so they need to be painted or powder coated.

[GS1150Pilot]

I bought these wheels from a company in California called Wheelsmith. These were the first set for a PT Cruiser he made. The're 16" Smoothies. The caps and wheel trim were/are also available through his business. I think I paid around $600 for the set, but that was almost 20 years ago. They also came bare steel so they need to be painted or powder coated.

Looking that company up. Thanks!

[GS1150Pilot]

Looks like they may not be around any longer?