Need painting help

[gte901m]

Well, I'm blasting my J20 and painting it a piece at a time. Its a work truck, not a show truck. I'm using spray can enamel primer and paint. The top coat seems to scratch easier than it should. Its had about 48hrs to cure. Should this be what I expect with rattle can paint?

I sprayed the primer, waited about 15 minutes, and then sprayed the color paint. Should I have waited for the primer to fully cure before spraying the color paint on top?

[ABN82MP]

Your primer should have really had more time to cure. If it doesnt cure enough it can bleed through the top coat. I learned the hard way by totally trashing a color matched XJ grille. As far as the scratching issue...that's rattle can paint for you. No hardener in it, nothing on top to protect it.

[gte901m]

Would it work if I rattle canned the primer and eventually spray real paint (with hardener)? I know that sounds stupid, but I'm working on this in pieces, and could blast and primer it piece by piece, then eventually spray it with real paint.

[Chrome]

If you're gonna do it then do it right. Spray can paint is a very temporary fix so if you're gonna take the time to sand it then go the extra distance and put some good paint on it. The 83 Cherokee that I'm working on will be sprayed with 2 stage Omni paint. I've sprayed both high dollar 2 stage Chromabase and 2 stage Omni. The Omni requires a lighter first coat (thicker coats will run) but in the end it looks just as good for half the price as the high dollar paints. I know of several body shops that advertise they only use PPG paints but spray Omni clearcoat. Here's a idea on the cost of Omni compared to PPG. The setup I bought to do the 2 tone on the Cherokee cost about $300. If I had bought the exact same setup in PPG it would cost well over $600. I can buy several Chrome pieces with $300. ;)

[gte901m]

Anyone got any recommendations on a spray gun? Brands, features, etc.

[ABN82MP]

I've used Omni base/clear (omni is a PPG product) with good results. For the 79 Cheroke I'm working on now I'm using Omni single stage. For materials to do the entire jeep (Gal of impact orange, qt of stone white, primer, reducer, hardner, etc...) I spent just over $300.

Yes you can use rattle can primer with spray on paint if you want. I used dupli color self etching primer when I did the rockers for my CJ5 and sprayed the Omni base/clear over it and they turned out fine.

For a gun, check out www.tptools.com (http://www.tptools.com). They have several choices including a beginners kit with 3 guns, cleaning tools, etc... for around $150.

Here ya go. Devilbiss (cant go wrong with them!) 3 gun kit for $159: http://www.tptools.com/p/2720,59_DeVilbiss-StartingLine™-HVLP-Spray-3-Gun-Set.html

[gte901m]

ABN82MP,

Thanks so much for the advice. I think I'll try that kit.

One more question - how can I spray the under side of my truck bed without turning it on it side? I can take it off and set it on tall jack stands, but will a spray gun spray vertically up?

[ABN82MP]

Don't know the answer to that question.

Why paint the underside anyway? I think you would have good success with some bedliner and an undercoating gun.

There is also an excellent product out called Lizard Skin that is made for undercoating, insulating (noise and heat) and protecting vehicles. You can also get tintable liner from www.alsliner.com (http://www.alsliner.com) for around $100 that will allow your local paintshop to tint your bedliner kit for a color matched bedliner.

[Chrome]

I've used Omni base/clear (omni is a PPG product)

LOL Meant to type Chromabase. You can tell it was a long day.

[ABN82MP]

LOL Meant to type Chromabase. You can tell it was a long day.

Oh I wasn't sharp shooting you :) I just thought I would state that Omni is a PPG product. Some think it's a cheap junk paint. It is cheaper, but I wouldn't call it junk. Now if I were a professional I may spray something else :D

[gte901m]

Man, you guys are greats. Thanks for all the input. I have heard of lizard skin before. Thats probably the better option than regualr paint.

[Chrome]

I noticed that myself this morning after a good nights rest and when I read your posted busted out laughing. Sometimes I need a good slap on the head to wake me up. :D

Talking about expensive paints have you checked out www.alsacorp.com (http://www.alsacorp.com) As soon as I finish the Cherokee projects I'm thinking about buying another LS and spraying it with the "Eclipse" blue to white heat activated paint. Go to their site and put your cursor over "Paints & Additives" then over "Special FX" and take a look at those paints.

http://www.alsacorp.com/products/eclipse/showcase/eclipse-animation.gif

[BigTim]

Sounds like you are on a budget, and like me, not a professional painter. While the PPG and other more expensive products may be good quality paints, I wouldn't recommend them for the person who has never sprayed a car. I most recently purchased a kit off Ebay from TPC Global, shipped to me (including tax because they are here in San Diego) for less than 100 bucks. 1 gallon paint, hardener, and reducer, stir sticks, and strainers. For the money, it is good paint. I painted in my driveway with no protection from the elements, so there were a few dirt specks, and lots of orange peel (remember I'm no pro)but all was well after wet sanding. Search for "auto paint kit" on Ebay.

[tgreese]

I've heard of several users of the catalyzed Tractor Supply tractor paint having good results. This stuff is really cheap, say $30/gal + $13 for hardener, and dries to a very hard and glossy finish. Very limited color selection though.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogSearchResultView?storeId=10551&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&pageSize=20&beginIndex=0&sType=SimpleSearch&resultCatEntryType=2&error1=&ip_text=tractor+paint+gallon&ip_textHH=tractor+paint+gallon&ip_requestUri=CategoryDisplay&ip_categoryId=14358&ip_mode=&ip_perPage=20

[Dmntxn77]

I noticed that myself this morning after a good nights rest and when I read your posted busted out laughing. Sometimes I need a good slap on the head to wake me up. :D

Talking about expensive paints have you checked out www.alsacorp.com (http://www.alsacorp.com) As soon as I finish the Cherokee projects I'm thinking about buying another LS and spraying it with the "Eclipse" blue to white heat activated paint. Go to their site and put your cursor over "Paints & Additives" then over "Special FX" and take a look at those paints.



Thats cool stuff. BUT, it seems like you would always have a white hood no matter what...

[ABN82MP]

I've heard of several users of the catalyzed Tractor Supply tractor paint having good results. This stuff is really cheap, say $30/gal + $13 for hardener, and dries to a very hard and glossy finish. Very limited color selection though.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogSearchResultView?storeId=10551&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&pageSize=20&beginIndex=0&sType=SimpleSearch&resultCatEntryType=2&error1=&ip_text=tractor+paint+gallon&ip_textHH=tractor+paint+gallon&ip_requestUri=CategoryDisplay&ip_categoryId=14358&ip_mode=&ip_perPage=20

I looked into this before I tried painting anything. I followed an article posted on another Jeep BB where a guy painted with tractor paint and it looked great at first, but it never really hardened like automotive paint. Just going by what I read. No personal experience.

[fireman91186]

Have you looked into the Duplicolor paintshop paints. They are a lacquer based paint for the do it your selfer. I have not used them but when the time comes to paint the Cherokee that is what I planned on using. I think its pretty cheap like a hundred dollars for a kit or something ( that maybe off a little but when I first looked into it it wasn't that bad). You should be able to get it wherever they sell Duplicolor.

[gte901m]

I've heard of several users of the catalyzed Tractor Supply tractor paint having good results. This stuff is really cheap, say $30/gal + $13 for hardener, and dries to a very hard and glossy finish. Very limited color selection though.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogSearchResultView?storeId=10551&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&pageSize=20&beginIndex=0&sType=SimpleSearch&resultCatEntryType=2&error1=&ip_text=tractor+paint+gallon&ip_textHH=tractor+paint+gallon&ip_requestUri=CategoryDisplay&ip_categoryId=14358&ip_mode=&ip_perPage=20

Funny you mentioned that. I was looking at that yesterday after work.

[tgreese]

I looked into this before I tried painting anything. I followed an article posted on another Jeep BB where a guy painted with tractor paint and it looked great at first, but it never really hardened like automotive paint. Just going by what I read. No personal experience.
Sounds to me like he may have used the wrong reducer... though I'm not sure what reducer to use. The paint can should spec that though

Also, the 'real' paint suppliers will provide reducers that are tailored to the air temperature. If the drying goes too slow or fast, the paint will either skin over and not set, or set so fast that there's no gloss. Likely you aren't going to get such fine control with a budget product, so avoiding very hot or very cold days, running a few test panels, and keeping the heat and humidity the same as your test would seem worthwhile.