[mr0077]

Bill, I've painted maybe 8-10 cars over the last 15 years, including my last Cobra, moving from laquer through single stage and base coat-clear coat systems...the new stuff has some very toxic stuff and you MUST take care to get proper ventilation (so I did all my two-stage stuff outside on calm days...drives you crazy waiting for just the right day!)...like Aumoore and Bernie said, when it came time to do the new Cobra, I took it to a paint shop...very pleased, even at twice the price. I'll probably NEVER do it again...LOTS of work to do it right...body prep accounts for 90%+ of the final quality...and to do it right, there is maybe a 50% savings in cost, but the labor is extensive, both before (bodywork), during (masking, primer, base and clear coats), and final block sanding/buffing/polishing.
Also, My approach was to do several daily beaters for practice before I did my XKE and my Jensen Healey. Those two were my best paint jobs, near show quality, but I was disappointed with the first Cobra, so it HAD to be a pro to paint this Cobra. Interesting at the time and a helluva learning experience, and there is a certain satisfaction to be able to say that you did it ALL yourself, but wouldn't do it again if I could help it. Hope this helps.