So I own a 2007 Pontiac Torrent. At least I do ever since I inherited it once my mom passed away. It’s the completely wrong color. Some kind of teal blue thing, see pictures below. But I’ve decided I want to convert her. After hanging out with the Columbus Ghostbusters group and being newly added- I knew it’s what I wanted to do. I don’t want to sell the car… yet. It has too much sentimental value for that.
I’m giving it what will hopefully be a temporary conversion. I’ve looked into the possibility of painting it white and I just don’t have the money. I know that Plasti Dip is a cheap alternative but assuming I do turn it white ( I really want to) the color will likely be last on the “to do” list.
While at work today I found plan views for my car and I got to work. The fuel lid is on the right side of the car so I’ll have to flip everything but so far it seems pretty simple. Just making this thread to show off the progression over the next few months.
Picked up some awesome things for the Ecto Build at an auction this weekend. I also started working on one of the tank ends since I picked up a TON of gauges at the auction. I love auctions. go to auctions. amazon and ebay are the devil.
I have talked to one vinyl skin place so far. They wanted 3k just for all white on my car. A bit steep but not impossibly outside of what I would do to make this a reality. I’m not sure how sad that is. Proton pack has to come first and I haven’t even started on that yet.
Im gonna call a few more places and see what they would charge. thanks guys!
Haven’t been able to work on the car much. I don’t have a garage and the weather in mid Ohio has been rainy to say the least. I think I’m going to have some time to finish the tanks and get them mounted this week though so here’s hoping!
I ordered a light bar- it should be here within the next month. I bought it off a fellow Ghostbuster in Utah that fell into some drama with the other GB’s and wanted out. Their loss is my gain! In the mean time one of my local Ghostbusters gave me some lights he’s not using- just to test it out.
I have an appointment this Thursday to see how much it’ll cost me to get the whole thing painted white. Here’s hoping it’s under $500 from MAACO.
I think I’m also going to have to get the extender for my Cargo rack. Makes me nervous having it any longer than it is though- since I have limited space for the brackets. Who designed these freaking rails, man?!
You may want to get a few different estimates on paint. My experience is that Maaco paint is good for a couple of years, then starts to fade pretty fast -the clear coat is the first thing to go.
Video of painting the “tester” board for the bottom of the roof rack. I wont be using this wood permanently (it’s partical board and I’m sure you’re all cringing) but it was cheap and I wanted to figure out drilling holes. ;D
Maaco will just be the first in a long line of people that I visit to get estimates on paint jobs. This is easily going to be the most expensive part of my Ecto and realistically the most important since my car is cringe tealbluegreenwhatever.
I’ve also got to figure out - What am I going to name her!?
**Ecto 404 ( I work in tech support- everyone thinks this one is hilarious)
Ecto 506 ( my moms birthday, the car was hers and when she passed away I got it. I thought it would be a nice touch.)
Ecto 42 ( the answer to every question)
Ecto 614 ( area code- meh)
Ecto 616 (I love Marvel)
Ecto 116 ( K is the 11th number in the alphabet and F is the 6th)
Ecto 626 ( Lilo and Stitch)**
While I’m deciding… I bought this awesome hat off of one of my FB friends that makes hats with these beads. I love it
Ive never been big on ecto suvs. But seeing ur sketch and your initial progress makes me very intrigued. I think im really going to like this build. Strong work so far
Hey Mouse…if I may…make sure they paint the door jams. It really does matter in the end. The engine compartment…eh…not so much, but when you open the doors, they stand out like a sore thumb.
As someone who has been working on and modifying cars for a very long time, I can tell you that paint is definitely one of those things you get what you pay for. Maaco is notorious for cutting prep work, not masking properly, and using low quality single stage paints. You want a shop that will use a multi-stage base coat and clear coat. Typically, a good quality paint job should run you around 2 grand or more. Last I remember (which was like 10 years ago) maaco was charging around 500-750. If I was flipping a car and wanted a passable paint job that would pass the selling cycle, I’d consider maaco as a last resort.
Find some reputable local shops. Use google reviews or yelp or whatever and make sure they don’t have a history of screwing people over. Also, know the paint code you want. Saves time and the shop will think you know more than they would normally give you credit.
This is why I was entertaining the idea of a vinyl wrap as well. A large part of me is scared to do a permanent paint job to the car simply because it was my mothers car. When she passed away the car passed to my step dad, when he passed the car passed to me. I can’t honestly say with 100% certainty that she’d be okay with me painting it white… but I’m not going to be happy leaving it the teal/blue/green.
I can promise that I will get lots and lots of quotes though before I get it done.
thanks guys!
