Prep is EverythingWelcome to Everyone Racers Episode 426 — the full four-host chaos is back.This week is a true HOW TO episode:How to paint your own race car — and more importantly — how much prep it actually takes.Because here’s the truth:Painting isn’t the hard part.Prep is.We break down:🛠 The real cost of single-stage vs. base/clear🛠 What a “$70,000 paint job” actually pays for (hint: sanding. Endless sanding.)🛠 Why wet sanding between coats separates decent from show-quality🛠 How many hours you’re actually signing up for (25–40 hours over 3–5 days… plus cure time)🛠 The budget method that works for endurance racing🛠 Spray guns vs. rattle cans vs. rollers vs. duct tape🛠 Reducer, hardener, pearl powder — what matters and what doesn’t🛠 Why you probably don’t need to cut and polish a Lemons carWe talk about dusting coats, flash times, clearing with pearl for glow, and when it’s totally fine to say:“It’s a race car. Don’t care.”Because if you don’t want donuts down the side, don’t race it.There’s a reason pros spend tens of hours sanding, wet sanding, cutting, polishing, and curing. The TV version of paint is fantasy. The garage version is sweat, time, and patience.But the upside?You built it.You painted it.You can fix it when someone inevitably tags your fender at Sonoma.🔧 News & NotesWe also hit:Breadvan and turbo progress updatesCam gear chaos and Loctite lessonsBrake line routing mistakes and diff redesign fixesCooling system refresh realitiesThe infamous paddock party poll resultsRange Rover impulse buying consequencesSame paddock energy. Same questionable decisions.🏎️ WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR24 Hours of Lemons racersChampCar teamsSCCA & NASA track day addictsBudget race car buildersDIY fabricatorsAnyone debating painting their own race carIf you’ve Googled:“how to paint a race car yourself”“race car paint prep steps”“DIY endurance race build tips”“budget race car bodywork”This episode is for you.We’re also kicking off our Everyone Racers Fantasy League for 2026.Before the season starts, drop your predictions in the comments:1️⃣ 2026 Constructors Champion2️⃣ 2026 Drivers Champion3️⃣ One bold, wild prediction (rookie podium? dominant loophole? total team collapse?)We’re revisiting this at the end of the season and receipts will be shown.If you think you understand racing momentum, regulation shifts, and team development curves — prove it.Join our F1 Fantasy League https://fantasygp.com/leagues/Use code 74259541 to join in the funIf you love grassroots racing, DIY builds, garage mistakes, and motorsport debates:👍 Like the video💬 Comment your paint method AND your 2026 predictions🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodesMake a well-informed bad decision.NYC Octane Ratings are Lying (Andrew Kalmowitz @ Jalopnik)https://www.jalopnik.com/2110934/96-percent-inspected-nyc-gas-stations-lying-about-octane-levels/No Refresh for the Ford Bronco (Byron Hurd @ The Drive) https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-ford-bronco-is-selling-so-well-it-wont-get-a-refreshYes, Your Regular Car Can Tow (Nic Demitia @ Jalopnik) https://www.jalopnik.com/2110629/towing-with-sedan-possibilities/1984 VW Rabbit Class C Car on Racing Junkhttps://www.racingjunk.com/24-hours-of-lemons-cars-and-equipment-for-sale/184756014/1984-vw-rabbit-.html?category_id=4&aces_make_id=&mileage_min=&mileage_max=&photos=&video=&location_distance=&location_zip=&year_min=&year_max=&price_min=&price_max=&seller_type=&condition=&search=&keyword=&state=&country=&province=&date=&order=price-low-high&np_offset=42#3Check out Driven Garage:Web: https://drivengarage.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SweatEveryDetail3 Pedal Mafia Lemons World - https://youtu.be/wGfAxGX3vHk?si=YInVSrCTFgkXdCVFThose cool light number panels from Amazonhttps://a.co/d/9wDuvek2026 Lemons Rally Schedulehttps://24hoursoflemons.com/lemons-rally/