How many labor hours for paint?, clueless Options

[TravisNeff]

I know this has been asked many times, and it is a subjective question - but here goes

I am stripping down my car for paint, removing decklids, engine tranny, bumpers, seals, lights, pulling wiring back and initially taking down the first layer of paint. The car is fairly straight.

How much labor hours in a guesstimate would it take for paint? painting trunks, jambs, maybe engine compartment in the same, stock light ivory color. And a guesstimate in color sanding as well.

[914GT]

Most of the time is in body work and prep, and whatever masking need to be done. It all depends on the condition of the car and how perfect you want to get it. But if all you want to know is the painting part, that goes fairly quick. Base coat/clear coat takes longer than single-stage. I'd estimate a couple hours to apply 2-3 coats of base on the outside panels, door jambs, trunks. and then about the same time for 2-3 coats of clear. You have to give enough time to setup between coats otherwise it'll get runs. Then you wait at least 12-18 hrs before you can color sand (using 2-component urethane clearcoat). I can color sand a whole 914 in 4 hours or so using an Airvantage DA sander with 1500 finishing film. Then probably at least 6 hours for buffing.