PAINTING the 1968 Karmann Ghia 4 full restoration with Harbor Freight Spectrum $99 gun

amzn.to/3mQNtRd
This video shows the COMPLETE SPRAY of the car. I did speed it up to 2x so the video would not be hours long.

[@Mikefngarage]

Sorry I got this video out late. It took a long time to upload so I released it late. I know several guys want to watch before they go to work but it didnt work out this time. Video Spray painting was in 2x for the most part on the spray so it would not be too long.

[@AlanG58]

Better late than never! Great job!

[@diernosaj]

Hey Mike, do you know anybody who has a early (63) swing axle trans 12v sitting on the shelf anywhere? Broke mine, need replacement asap. Thanks

[@Mikefngarage]

@@diernosaj there getting harder to find and rebuilds are expensive. I only have ones I might need and I dont know anyone around who has an extra. The best guy around here for rebuild is KCR....Dont know any used ones at all.

[@diernosaj]

@@Mikefngarage Ok Thanks. Bob told me to call KCR too. Ill give them a jingle tomorrow. Chirco here in Tucson is 4 to 6 weeks lead time.

[@Mikefngarage]

@@diernosaj most are about the same I do have a guy with a 1 week lead time Let me look for his card. He is really good too and may be less. He is a subscriber on the channel. in Ca somewhere. I have met him. very knowledgeable.

[@michelecrown2426]

Folks that will see this car out on the roads will have no idea how much metal work you did. Great outcome.

[@robertquinn9490]

Memories here...16 years or so. I painted every kind of car, anything metal..even refrigerators. Corvettes in lacquer, old Caddilacs..acrylic enamel with hardener, urethane..on and on it was a way of life. Have fun!

[@Mikefngarage]

Oh yea me too. I have painted near thousands of gallons of lacquer. paint sand paint sand paint sand. then On the custom paint like on vans we used this old school 8 to 1 urethane clear.

[@FixItScotty]

Another great tip about taping. Through trial and error, I am starting to get how to do filler and body work. In the Spring next year, I will be painting my bus and so I am absorbing as much as I can from you.

[@michaelsavage6845]

I love how you show folks a perfectly fine job can be done in a garage/drive. I have for years (I'm about your age) and with about the same results up here in Michigan. Well done!

[@burningbananas70]

Nothing better than seeing a lifetime of experience....

[@vayabroder729]

So satisfying to look at nice cars being saved from the dead. By the way; after you install the rubber weatherstripping on doors, trunk, decklid, etc. the blending in those areas become academic. Your work is so awesome!

[@Mikefngarage]

exactly. wont even see it.

[@frankvucolo6249]

Man that looks sweet. Look at Frankenfender! No one would ever know the pure genius metalwork you did there. Amazing!

[@Mikefngarage]

Wow, thanks!

[@martinjay5906]

Nice work, I been using harbor freight guns as well , they do the job. Keep bring them cars alive!!

[@Demop_VW_garage]

Great job and perfect color for that dub 🙏👏🏾

[@kevinhamling1963]

Hey man, Kevin here from Australia. Awesome work, its always such a pleasure to watch you tackle a car. Using techniques that I can use in my garage and I do. Peace ✌🏻 👁👁

[@robj2704]

Really liked how you took the time to eliminate all the rusty spots. This car should last a very long time. I'm impressed with the effort you put into it.

[@gvet47]

But was it just me or was the headlight wells still rusty he just painted over?

[@SprayWayCustoms]

Beautiful job Mike. Keep inspiring 🤝

[@avomarkarian6187]

You inspire us by your videos

[@HubertusSchaper]

Nice paintwork Mike👍🏻, Great color.Congrats. with kind regards, Hubertus.☮🙏🇳🇴

[@Mikefngarage]

Many thanks!

[@JCJustSayin]

Absolutely my most favorite car ever built!

[@snowdogs59]

Looks excellent Mike.

[@daveglick5152]

good job. looks awesome. that is a good color. you are a work horse. cheers Mike

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks for all of the great info! I cannot wait to get my Ghia anywhere close to being ready to paint! Long way to go, but you're giving me a lot of hope, so THANK YOU!

[@Mikefngarage]

Good luck!

[@rustybum2]

Mike, you made that whole process look too easy. Brilliant job. If I can manage a finish half as good on my 1971 Morris Traveller I will be over the moon! Thanks for sharing and best regards from Ireland.

[@speedy94-]

Came out great!! I got a lil dizzy watching ya paint so fast lol. Love those Ghia’s.

[@Mikefngarage]

yea the video was kinda long so I sped up the painting I think 2 times.

[@robertjean659]

Great work again, love the colour. 🇦🇺🇦🇺👍👍

[@thelarters4996]

Awesome job. No messing about , just skills at work👍😍

[@Mikefngarage]

Thanks 👍

[@VWPrince53]

Nice paint job! Like that color! 👍

[@brianhackford2324]

Great job. Thanks for the info and advice in your videos. I have learned a ton from them.

[@annettegaskell4871]

Love the colour good job mate

[@freddyflint8309]

Thank you Mike for sharing all your knowledge and expertise. You make me confident to go on with my project on my own instead giving it to a professionell paint shop I will accept all tiny and major issues that I will encounter - but it will become my own with each fault and success. Greetings from Germany.

[@Mikefngarage]

You can do it!. the worst thing that can happen is you will sand it down and paint it again. Dont use too expensive of materials. but good stuff. Like Chameleon clear. (German made probably cheap there) a cheaper base coat. so if you need to sand it and repaint it or spot some areas it will not cost you an arm and a leg.

[@orangmakan]

Great series and amazing result which you really deserved for the enormous amount of work you spent on that project. Nice to see one more of these beauties saved. Greetings from germany !

[@aceadman]

Amazing work Mike. As always, I’m amazed and impressed. And… entertained! Many thanks. 😊👍👍

[@jedschleisner8960]

Oh man, nice job! That color is awesome 👏 you have to be proud of that. Thanks, Mike.

[@stevetarnowski6319]

I have never seen a painter stop in the Middle of a panel you always paint the entire length of the pants you never stop in the middle of a door or in the middle of a hood I’ve been spraying for 40 years went to school I have never seen anybody spray like you in my life

[@GeeenJ]

3m now do a product to allow you to spray up to the edges its a round foam type tape works great no edge showing after you remove it

[@jmsdwh]

I really like how you hardly cut at all as you laid down the paint (3 coats? ) and the clear (2 coats? ). It really gives you a better idea of the whole process. It looked like you had to rush more on the clear to keep running back and forth to both sides of the car to keep making progress on the wet edges without it drying out.

[@TheDaf95xf]

Morning Mike. What a transformation 👍🏻 Love watching your videos 😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@JamesDavis-to1hn]

Luv the color. The ghia looks great. Another super job Mike👍

[@russelblackwell6041]

thanks Mike i love your videos all the effort you make to teach us the quality of your videos and your a naughty boy no dust mask while sanding

[@samperras]

Car looks blue in the booth, I like it

[@jurgenhoffmann8680]

Hey Mike! Good Paintjob! The Color is great! Greetings from Germany!

[@CTmoog]

That looks awesome Mike! =)

[@markkerr7866]

beautiful work ... i'm sure the factory didn't spend that much time on the paint !

[@aussiebeatle4049]

Great narrative along with the work. Lots of tips and the car came out really nice. Well done.

[@michealfigueroa6325]

Most painters I know and I apply paint from the top down and middle outward to control overspray. Overspray falls downward and can be rewetted with successive applied coats; makes for a smoother finish coat

[@Mikefngarage]

Wow never seen it done that way. Sometimes I cross spray to even out metallic.

[@locosporlosvolkys7640]

Tu Karmann Ghia se ve precioso y sobre todo bien trabajado, felicitaciones!

[@williamtanner1372]

Wow! Great job. The color really looks good. Your results are amazing as always.

[@wgoconnor33]

Enjoyed watching very much , beautiful color !

[@Paulman50]

With light coloured paint those ridges are difficult to paint. I did them very carefully and ended up with the paint a little thin. Can't win

[@Mikefngarage]

yea Peel or runs on a Ghia. not like the newer cars. Mostly I had it except the weather was just too cold for the hardener Had medium hardener at like 12c.

[@JourneymanRandy]

Excellent camera work Mike. It turned out perfect. You gotta do a video on your inflatable paint booth.

[@johnjason7204]

Mike, I recall the fellow that made the deal selling the 54 to did you say part of the agreement was to completely restore that Ghia...Seems to me you went way beyond repairing panels and did a wonderful job on what you had to work with. I hope the Ghia owner had to kick in monies to what you are giving back Again well done..

[@Mikefngarage]

yea He was just going to have me put the fender on and that is it. I just decided lets paint it so he was like ok sounds good. figure if I didnt paint it the parts may just rust out. It was a good car otherwise. so now he will be finishing the restoration. He will be putting it together here so stay tuned progress will be on video.

[@jagnuts1]

Great job and perfect Enjoyed watching very much i have this to do next so it helps me lots

[@vwcol..7719]

Great job Mike an inspiration to us all👍.

[@nicholasjungheim2667]

This is a truly remarkable job!

[@whitebeardadventures9208]

I thought you said on a orevious video that you were not going to paint this. anyway glad to see the work of a pro...Dave

[@Mikefngarage]

I wasnt then I decided to do it.

[@LakesideAutobody]

Nice job Mike - looks great :)

[@henryrodier8024]

Love the color by the way much better choice than white

[@shenpensenge]

Great work and colourchoice for the most beautyfull looking car ever.

[@luizbressanneto5482]

Molto Bene questa colore

[@luizbressanneto5482]

Questa macchina e marevigliosa

[@haskyb9184]

Sign paint to paint a tricky shaped car like a ghia to that finish 😳 entertaining, inspiring, a great teacher as well. I’m only echoing what others are saying and thinking, but I’m just so impressed. How does it feel to know you’re inspiring and teaching tens of thousands of people around the planet to roll their sleeves up and have a go? Great job, Mike. This channel should be and deserves 100k+ subscribers Ben 🇬🇧

[@Mikefngarage]

I am totally ecstatic. Really want to teach the world not to be afraid and just do it. The standards and expectations are just too high out there causing problems. Check out tomorrows video

[@haskyb9184]

@@Mikefngarage I'll be watching, I always am. Sadly I save your videos up for the evening so I can sit down and put you on the 75" screen. My wife and daughter can both hear your voice from the kitchen and go "oh no, dad's watching Mike again"

[@frankvucolo6249]

Mike, is that DA sander the same tool we furniture guys call a RO or Random Orbital? Or is it different for working on metal vs wood?

[@Mikefngarage]

usually those are 5 inch. like dewalt and harbor freight has one of those too. That big DA is way more controllable Very consistent and better than the Air ones.

[@secondchancerebuilds4160]

Love that color mike

[@hddm3]

Wow just beautiful as usual man!

[@Mikefngarage]

Thanks again!

[@donjenkins8925]

Turned out nice.

[@jeremiahlord6094]

Hey Mike I enjoy watching and learning. I am getting ready to go through this entire process on my 67 beetle. I have sprayed in a fine finish millwork shop for 7 years but never a car. Kinda excited about this. I saw what filler/glaze/primer you used which, to be honest, I have ordered for my project to arrive in the next week. My question is what BRAND of base coat color and CLEAR did you use? Did you use a reducer for your product? Did you use a specific tip size for your spray gun? I thought I heard you mention the base coat but unsure. I have been looking into Eastwood products for my topcoat but like using what works as seen in your (example) video (s).

[@mikelove9832]

Awsome Work ! Thanks

[@dgb5820]

Looks very beautiful

[@fredjones1238]

what size tips did you use ? looks good

[@chevymarineretired]

Damn, that looks great.

[@paulgrimm]

Looks great

[@johnkolk1970]

nice work Mike but did you miss the dent on the left front fender near the readlight?? keep up the great work

[@Mikefngarage]

its actually not a dent it was a sanding flaw. or nick from the grinder. you cant see it when your standing either. you need to be on your hands and knees. looking up. otherwise no noticeable.

[@trevoursamudacollections5796]

looks beautiful......

[@alanparker1598]

Looks like you did a great job on this. I do have a question to ask for your opinion. I will be spraying a bay window bus in the spring and I am a novice. I am thinking it would be best to spray the jams and inside stuff first. Then because of size spray the roof down to over the drip rail. Mask off, hang doors, and then spray the sides. Your thoughts please.

[@thomasmcintosh2931]

What colour was that again looking to paint my Ghia like that.

[@awsomeassistantthebest1825]

Just asking but what's the point on putting black spray on if you are using it to find high low spots aren't you supposed to sand it off all by hand without using a DA sander..

[@michaelhaag7854]

nice job

[@Mikefngarage]

Thanks!

[@aw6193]

Very nice

[@BillySBC]

Hint: When you spray a car you start at the drivers rear quarter and work your way forward and around the car. You don't spray some here, then spray some there, then go to the other side and spray some there, them come back here and spray some here... You work AROUND the car in a circle. Secondly, you kept the gun going in the same direction (left-right) on multiple coats, it's supposed to be left--right first coat, up-down and across on second coat, then diagonal third coat, then finally a reduced mist coat to achieve consistent flake pattern. Your result is okay, but any experienced body guy is going to see the problems straight off.

[@Mikefngarage]

I didnt spray some here and some there. Ha ha I spray each side evenly to keep a wet edge front to rear. Only a armature would spray in a circle. then you will have a dry spot by the time you go round. I have been spraying my whole life. I know several body shop painters we all do it the same way. Right then left then right then left front to rear or rear to front. Keeping a wet edge as you go. Round in circle makes a dry spot. The only time I have ever sprayed in a circle is at earls sheib when I would do as you say start at the rear quarter then go around in a circle then at the end open the door to keep the dry spot out. Never seen it done that way know hundreds of painters. Never spray up and down definitely not sideways

[@BillySBC]

@@Mikefngarage Yeah me too... and you're doing it wrong. But hey, nice channel.

[@karmevincent]

Hi ,good job keep the good work . I have a 1970 karmannghia convertible , i need to rectores the floor panel's etc . Can you raccomand me a company where to buy it .thank you

[@Mikefngarage]

if its is possible to save the edges of the pans. and the seat rails are ok. I would go to TABCO metal parts and do the repair sections. they are the correct thickness. for the complete sections that are thinner CIP 1. easier to install but thinner metal.

[@gvet47]

So with the hood, trunk and doors on and closed how do the now hidden edges and panels look like unpainted? What did I miss?

[@Mikefngarage]

I always paint the jams before I paint the outside. less problems. that way.

[@kingdavid8749]

What color paint was that on the karma

[@gregoryeskridge1899]

That car is hot 🔥

[@batterymakermarkii2654]

Dang, that's a great color. What is it from?

[@triniguy4807]

great job, what is the name of the paint and the brand Love that colour, makes me want to tackle my Nissan B13 if I only had my own garage.

[@YourOwnWay]

I was looking for the paint color info as well. Did you find out what it is?

[@panchosspeedshop8576]

Awesome work! Want to do mi Ghia too? Im local.

[@user-xf5li9hr3h]

Nice job, Mike! Your hands are not growing from the ass! Greetings from Russia. Sorry for my english.

[@mikasantos3774]

Is that color called little Lilac

[@henryrodier8024]

What is going to happen with the front directionals saw them get filled in.

[@Mikefngarage]

They were not original. someone drilled the holes. so he is not putting them on. just going tail lights only. Only side marker lights.

[@unofficial-rights2022]

SWEET👍

[@andymaurice7693]

Mike.... need your advise for my 59 ragtop... How do I cantact you?? will be in the area soon. Andy Lopez

[@Mikefngarage]

try though the email on the about page.

[@mujeebrahman2185]

Which. Made. This. Sedan. Car bro

[@Itsonlymeee1]

Great

[@jdgrit]

What portable booth do you use?

[@Mikefngarage]

IDK I got it from amazon. cheap china one. is made of sail cloth. weird stuff. works Ok better than painting outside or in a garage.

[@HoboHeaven]

Do you saw the hole or whatever at 34:25 right next to the headlight?

[@Mikefngarage]

Yea not a hole but looks like a sanding flaw. probably nick from the grinder. need to be on your knees to see it looking up. saw it while I was spraying and you cant see any other time.

[@HoboHeaven]

@@Mikefngarage as long as you know it is all good. Great paintjob btw. Hi from Hamburg / Germany.

[@Mikefngarage]

@@HoboHeaven tea for sure I wasnt going into to much detail on this car. Low budget build. But thanks for pointing it out. I did see it was like awww man oh well keep spraying. I also forgot to cover the drivers door . But once I was spraying I didnt want to stop. more issue potential if I tried to tape it up.

[@lasvegasira]

What color is the paint?

[@Mikefngarage]

I used some Brushed aluminum sign paint and added some custom blue I had from some signs at a mall I painted. Mixed them together and that is what it is.

[@stephenhenion8304]

When I first saw this car, I couldn't believe how Crappy it was. I figured it would be a one shot tutorial for that fender graft. WAS I EVER WRONG!!!

[@Mikefngarage]

Me too then I just figured lets paint it. so it wont get rusty again.

[@terrancefields4414]

I am still kicking myself in the butt for selling mine.

[@dirkluhrs490]

Man lackiert von oben nach unten

[@stpaulimdog]

I think I lost your number