Does paint count towards the budget? (Page 1 of 3)

theme in general...not a budget item.  In fact, the more you spend on Latex paint, foam and rebar, the more you are likely to engage the judges.

So i'm probably just going to get a lot of crap for it. It is theme related but is professionally done, no foam or re-bar.
I am a collision tech and raided the paint cabinet . i would post a pic but can't figure it out and the help section was of no help.

Nobody will give you crap for that, or any paint job. Show up with a high dollar paint job and you're just gambling with your efforts.

Beautiful fox. I would love to see the finished car.

I am not sure I would know how to theme with rebar, iron pipe, OSB, foam and Tupperware..maybe the occasional flower pot.

Any crap you get will be good-nature ribbing.

Technically I think your theme counts towards you budget. Realistically I don't think I've ever seen anyone get sweated over that fact.

I too appreciate clean cars. Especially when they stay clean since it shows the team drives clean. Car looks good.

Yeah I think that this will be our main problem..

•    1985 Mustang notch back                                      Free-Wife’s cousin, non-op removed from apartment 
                                                                                                            Was going to be towed
•    Short block/ front accessories                             Free -Part-out/scrap of 1983 Mustang GT purchased for   
                                                                                                             $400. Sold parts/scrap $600. Profit $200
•    Rear end/k-member                                               Free -part-out/scrap of 1987 Mustang GT. Purchased for $300                             
                                                                                                        With no motor. Sold body shell for $400, sold AOD/parts                               
                                                                                                         For $250. Profit $350                                                                                                                         
•    World Class T-5                                                         Free- Bought 1985 GT mustang for $250. Sold roller for $600.
                                                                                                       Profit $350
•    $500 Lemons prep budget +$850 Profit off of parts cars =$1350

•    Fast E-Z EFI                                                                  $40  (Price of rebuild kit)traded for a 500 CFM Holley 2300. I
                                                                                                               Rebuilt the Carb, Fabricated an adapter plate, installed,
                                                                                                               and tuned on a YJ Wrangler.                                                     
•    Rear shocks                                                                 $70 new KYB

•    Struts                                                                            $50 used Jamex

•    Coil overs                                                                      $250 new Ground Pounder from CCM

•    Camber/caster plates                                                 $150 new Ground Pounder from CCM

•    MM strut tower brace                                                $150 new

•    Rear springs                                                                 $75 used

•    Heads/v covers/intake manifold/MSD box             $100 used from buddy cleaning out his garage

•    Plug wires                                                                       $29.99 new AutoZone

•    Plugs                                                                               $27.92 new AutoZone

•    Distributor                                                                     $12.95 new AutoZone

•    Cap/Rotor                                                                      $9.09 new AutoZone

•    Belt                                                                                  $19.49 new AutoZone

•    Motor/trans Mounts                                                    $135 new

•    Felpro gasket set                                                           $85.99 new AutoZone

•    Radiator hoses                                                                $27.48 new AutoZone

•    Headers                                                                            $75 Used swap meet

Total so far $1307.91 and that doesn't include some rear suspension stuff

I think we are in for a metric butt-ton of penalty laps. I have no documentation for ANY of it as i got the car in 2001 and have procrastinated on it for 17 years now. Doesn't matter though because our main goal is to have fun,finish(hopefully) and drink some beers after the track goes cold with the POS still running at the end.

There are lots of options for enduros these days.  Veteran teams with cars developed over 5+ years will not be scrutinized like a brand new car.  It keeps them from leaving Lemons to only run Chump, WRL or AER.   You can’t just show up with a built car not in the spirit of Lemons and expect no laps.  If you start with a “crappy” Class A car and develop it with residuals over several years (paying your dues sort of) you can have a car that would be given laps if you just show up the first race with it.  That’s the facts.

The words "Paint" or "Theme" are nowhere in the rules anymore. "Prep" is considered mechanical work to go faster or longer.

Most of the High Theme teams spend more on the car and team theme than they do on prepping the car. Just the cost in used luggage and Spagetti-O's alone.

I seem to recall the Killer Zombie getting docked a couple of laps for "nice tape" when they rethemed the one time, but I think that more of a joke than anything.

Winning? Man I'll be happy if it doesn't blow up.