$7000 paint job
The problem with doing anything other than a high end paint job is the difference of what is acceptable for the painter and what is acceptable for the customer. 2 different things. The first thing most say is it doesn't need to be perfect.
Isocyanates are still present in the activated materials and you can't smell them. low VOC applies to the solvents mostly. It's really difficult to have 100% protection as isocyanates can be absorbed directly through the skin and eyes. If your mixing it on the bench your getting exposure. For the DIY guys, read the MSDS sheets of what your being exposed to. Those half masks don't protect you. It's hard to put a value on the exposure.
I admit you are totally correct to point out the health hazards in spraying these primers/paints for SURE! younger people need to be aware of such.......but... at my age, something else will probably get ME!?? I use a 3M half mask, goggles, arms covered with palpate sleeves ( farm guys would laugh at that!), but yes I do see a total different in acrylic urethane mixed here in Mo and that I get out of ca. been told the Ca paint would last as long, but I can spray it without a suit. would love to have a fresh air suit.
yes body work takes, knowledge and skill. yes some people have the desposible income to pay $ 80/hr for that work. some can afford and tell themselves to buy the absolute highest priced materials. some people will spend a huge amount of money at the engine machine shop. etc etc
i'm not trying to reduce the amount of work and costs of materials it takes to get a perfect job, BUT is not magic. lots of skill and labor yes!!
costs??? yes it makes a difference IF you take it apart, makes a difference if ya take all the glass out. and WHO puts it back in...... in the quality of the end result. does a driver need to be painted with the glass out...... some yes for sure... some probably not....
I guess , me personally, I don't want to sink lets say $15,000 in a car that , IF I had to, or needed to, or wanted to it would lose big $$$$$. I rather be able to maybe break even..... we never know when life requires us to sell our "baby"!.
I rather have a car that runs and drives well, looks good (enough for me)..., maybe not a show quality job, that I could get my $$ out of.
I do say this. the more " said " car is worth restored, the mORE it makes sense to spend the $$$ on it to make it "perfect". yea, ya not gonna make a "silk purse out of a hog's ear"! spending $7000 on paint job on the 318 70 duster......it will be a darn pretty and expensive pig!!?? i'm not putting down that car I give as example, I love them, but if I were to spend that kind of $$$ , I personally would put into a better model. maybe a 69 m code cuda for example!!!!! yes initial costs of the project car is HIGHER, but it costs NO more for paint, engine work, interior for that car than that 70 318 duster........
not talking about anything there except $$ and cents. yes, we are in the hobby because of a passion, interest, desire, whatever..... its argued hobbies cost money... true...... just talking about ways people, young or old, rich or poor, can get their car painted for less than this insane amount of money.. just me.....