Best way to paint the F O R D on the tailgate
#1
Best way to paint the F O R D on the tailgate
I want to paint the letters on the tailgate white. I bought Duplicolor Exact Match Wimbledon White.
I have the tailgate off of the truck and in the basement warming up to about 65*. Sanding the paint on the letters for rough it up, primer, then paint.
What is the best way to tape off the letters for painting?
I'm also removing the latch and painting that white as well.
I have the tailgate off of the truck and in the basement warming up to about 65*. Sanding the paint on the letters for rough it up, primer, then paint.
What is the best way to tape off the letters for painting?
I'm also removing the latch and painting that white as well.
#2
#3
EDIT: I found them using Google. $15 and they are on the way. I'll probably just use those until (way) down the road if I do a repaint.
#4
I've seen factory tailgates that appear to be rolled on. Seriously. A couple of them. It looks like they may have used a hard rubber roller. Like the ones they used to use with printing presses.
Using your tailgate for an example, I've seen people spray the wimbeldon white. Let that dry. Spray turquoise. Let that start to get tacky. Soak a rag in reducer or thinner and wring it out. Wrap the rag around a sanding block and rub off the turquoise paint, exposing the wimbeldon white.
Using your tailgate for an example, I've seen people spray the wimbeldon white. Let that dry. Spray turquoise. Let that start to get tacky. Soak a rag in reducer or thinner and wring it out. Wrap the rag around a sanding block and rub off the turquoise paint, exposing the wimbeldon white.
#5
#6
Let me also add that you should paint the letters first turquoise and then white. The turquoise paint helps seal the edges of the tape with the tailgate color and keeps the white from bleeding under the tape to make a cleaner job.
#7
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#8
I just so happen to find a never used tailgate in just that color combination 2 years ago. Of course my truck is holly green so I'll have to paint the whole thing. Anyway the letters are in perfect shape and the letters where applied over the main color. There is no doubt about that. The letters also cannot be considered to absolutely opaque and they seem to have been put on by a roller of some sort. The edges are not crisp as those with tape. I intend to duplicate this when I repaint the gate. Actually I should take photos of this before hand so all could see how it was done.
#10
I'm looking for an easy fix here and not get into repainting the entire tailgate. I don't have the equipment plus there is some very bad bondo between the letters. I'm almost afraid to know what is under it. They are probably just small dings as the truck is extremely solid without rust.
For right now, I'm planning to drive the truck the way it is. It is a gorgeous 5-footer, maybe even a 2-footer. Eventually it will need to be repainted, but I don't plan to make it a museum piece. I don't want to be afraid to drive it anywhere at any time. Next winter I am removing the body and bed, cleaning up the frame and using POR 15 on it. I'll also do the underside of the body/bed using POR 15.
I just want the letters to stand out right now so I'm going with the vinyl. Good point on the latch but I'll have to buy turquoise paint which doesn't come in a spray can. I don't own a spray gun but I know how to use one. Done correctly, small parts can be rattled canned to look just as good.
For right now, I'm planning to drive the truck the way it is. It is a gorgeous 5-footer, maybe even a 2-footer. Eventually it will need to be repainted, but I don't plan to make it a museum piece. I don't want to be afraid to drive it anywhere at any time. Next winter I am removing the body and bed, cleaning up the frame and using POR 15 on it. I'll also do the underside of the body/bed using POR 15.
I just want the letters to stand out right now so I'm going with the vinyl. Good point on the latch but I'll have to buy turquoise paint which doesn't come in a spray can. I don't own a spray gun but I know how to use one. Done correctly, small parts can be rattled canned to look just as good.
#11
Some auto paint stores can custom mix your paint color and put it in a spray can for around $20-25 bucks. If not, I'd go with an aluminum or stainless steel color on the latch rather than white.
#12
#14
Working on it. I removed the tailgate handle assembly last night and used a brass wired brush on it. Today I'll prime it and paint it with an dull aluminum color.
For the letters, I ordered a vinyl kit that will be here next week.
For the letters, I ordered a vinyl kit that will be here next week.
#15
Here is the letter "R" from an original tailgate. Looking close one can see that it wasn't taped off since the edges are a little bit wavy in places. Two spots of the front leg of the "R" are uncovered by the white paint thereby showing the bottom color. Really close examination shows horizontal streaks visible of the kind you would get with a paint brush.