Have you ever painted your own car?

[venomballistics]

I read all the Posts on "Rustoleum" Paint jobs, got out my Harbor Freight HVLP, prepped and masked my 88 Chev PU and "Viola" I have gotten Many compliments on how it looks.
Total cost less than $100

Ive even seen some claiming to have done the rustolium job with a paint roller with stunning results.
I may recommend it some day for DIY, but will do so only after Ive attempted it personally to see if it lasts more than two months. Given the low cost, it can give someone plenty of practice changing color on a whim.

 

[DeathGrip]

You guys think the early coach work autos were sprayed?

 

[venomballistics]

You guys think the early coach work autos were sprayed?

quite true which lends some possible credence to the roller method.
bear in mind that paint formulations have changed since then ... the average joe cant have that nice lead based stuff with the 11 essential heavy metals and carcinogens shopping at the home depo like he used to.
Looking at some of these cars roaming about with half the primer showing ... the DIY gear head needs something to take the place of the stuff they just cant get anymore.

 

[DeathGrip]

Possible credence?

The new stuff can do any thing the old stuff could as far as a paint job goes even better.The old stuff is still around if you look.Art prevails in the end.The "Art of Deceit" if you will.

You can bury the truth but the lies always come out.

 

[arctic soldier]

My 2 Cents

Just my opinions here but, I sell automotive paint everyday. We sell a nationally known brand and their economy line. I have full on body shops that use the cheaper stuff everyday and don't look back. That being said that stuff is great for overall work but not for touch up or panel replacement, unless you can really blend the cheaper stuff will stand out. Reason, if you pull a formula for the premium stuff you might have 5 alternates to choose from depending when and where car was painted, cheaper stuff one formula for each color code, no alternates. ie cheaper cost but likely to match oe finish? Not. Number 2 if you do decide to do any paint work and I mean any wear a respirator of some kind. As stated above I deal with folks everyday that work with these CHEMICALS and that's all paint is and you don't have to spend much time with them to know who has used protection and who hasn't. Not a joking matter and not just respiratory problems either.

 

[DeathGrip]

^^^ are we talking about factory pac?I used paint mix from PPG to Dupont and most others.There's no way to match paint other than knowing how to make adjustments for fading and light source.Have you ever been to the mall at night and the lights show a collision blend?
Again it's more than picking up your wagner and spraying away.An over all is a different story.Better know your stuff when you pick up the old sprayer.

 

[SWMod10]

My Dad did..

He paid a fellow to do the lettering.

 

[CTPete]

I had a 1960 Chevy Impala - sideways fins and all. In 1972 I painted with a brush and a quart or two of emnamel paint I bought at K-Mart. Used sandpaper to get a good paint base and cleaned it all with paint thinner. A bit of maskng tape to cover sensitive areas. ROYAL BLUE! Lasted for years until I sold the car sometime in the 1980s.

 

[G-Mac]

The last car I painted was a 70's Chevy Nova. It was originally silver, but I disassembled the whole car and did a complete color change to Porsche red in lacquer. This was in the mid 80's. Back then, the choices were enamel or lacquer. I liked lacquer because you color-sanded and hand buffed it out. Enamel was less forgiving. I haven't kept up with modern autobody technology, but I understand that things are very different now. As everyone else said...preparation is huge. I've still got my spray guns and body work tools, but I haven't used them in 20+ years. I'm with the "take it to Maaco" gang.

 

[retiredtech]

Ive even seen some claiming to have done the rustolium job with a paint roller with stunning results.
I may recommend it some day for DIY, but will do so only after Ive attempted it personally to see if it lasts more than two months. Given the low cost, it can give someone plenty of practice changing color on a whim.

Going on two yrs now still looks great!