Spray painting?

Im looking into paint my truck, mostly to stop the rust from rotting out panels... I've looked online a bit, but nobody really gives good detailed help. I was wondering if I could get some personal experience from everyone else on the steps of going about spray painting a car. And, if anyone is wondering, I am talking about rattle can. Its no trailer queen, just looking to make the panels last a bit longer.

What im wondering is- What to do for prep? Any brand prefrences? Not too worried about finish, planning on primer and a few coats of paint. Also, anyone have any idea on how many cans of paint Ill be looking at? Its a small 4x4, longbed.

Thanks for any replies!

-Dave

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When In doubt.. Floor it and scream!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: BuiltFordTough on 12/19/02 6:27am ]</font>

It depends on how good you want it to look. You may go through a bit of paint though. On my daily driver '94 chevy pickup, I had a small area on both front fenders that were getting some rust on them from where the wheels kick up sand and rocks in the winter. I sanded the rust off, sprayed it with some rust converting primer to be safe, and then use some duplacolor (sp?) touch up paint in a bomb can from the local auto parts store, and it matched perfectly, and looks as good as new. I went over it with some clear coat, and with normal washings and waxes, I can't tell the difference. It all depens on the prep work. You could bomb can a whole car, if it's streight, and if you get good even coats, you could buff it out to get the dust out and wax it later and it may look good. I did this with my model cars as a kid.

Body is far from straight, the truck spent about 6 summers on the Rubicon.... I've pulled out a lot of the dents, but its by no means straight, thats why im not worried about having a glossy paint job, its an ugly truck, but it runs. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img]
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i sanded my car down to bare metal, primed it and painted it with semi-flat black paint. I was surprised how well it turned out, although its far from show quality. The paint has held up fairly well so far, apart from a few spots where it was applied too thinly. Seems like I went through about a dozen cans of paint and primer though (index fingers still bent in a hook shape and this was over a year ago).

The Color being planned is actually urban camo [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img][img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img][img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] Im thinking im going to sand it down to bare, put a layer of GOOD primer on it, and then draw a pattern and just run away with it, most likely going to consist of shades of blue. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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Buy one of those pistol grip for spray cans,your finger will thank you.

I'd only sand down to bare metal where you need too (if the paint is flaking off). The primer used from the factory/paint shops sticks to bare metal better than anything you get in a spray can.

Use a better paint, Krylon is a good choice.
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http://www.autorestorer.com/q_boards/body/index.cgi

http://www.autobodypro.com/wwwboard/wwwboard.shtml
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If you have access to an air compressor and a cheap paint gun find a Tractor Supply Company store and get some of their paint.. it's about 16 bucks a gallon and is fairly descent. We've painted tons of equipment and a few vehicles with it and it lasts really well.

HI
Also get new tips. You can buy tips that fan out the paint instaed of the spot tip they come with makes for a better job and use the handle also.. Depends on how many coats as to how many cans. I used Rustoleum on my whole truck big truck took a lot and they had some good colors. (truck in sign). turned out nice and it will take wax and look nice.The paint is about a year old and steal look good. If you think your going to run out just stop on a brake in the body panels. You can always return any leftovers (unused that is).
Tim
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