Paint Question
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 53
From: Coatesville, PA
Paint Question
Ok don't beat me up too bad. I want to get my truck looking better this year. After I rewire and go to 12 volt this spring I want to do the body work and paint. I've read over and over about the rustoleum jobs and the rollers. I know a "real" paint job will cost over $1K or more. I know about getting paint from Tractor supply, etc, etc etc. I do not have a large compressor and its been 20 years since I've used my spray gun, but what about a Wagner power painter? Electric, no compressor,,, can they be used with some kind of cheap auto paint? Just wondering?? Anybody ever tried this?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Lady Lake FL
Dennis,
Get yourself an inexpensive gravity feed gun (usually around a hundred bucks) and a small compressor and spray away. I would venture to guess a power painter would leave a lot of orange peel (may be wrong) but I also would think it would turn out better than a roller. If you already have one try it on something, just remember to try it with the paint you intend to use and on something metal. Unfortunitely cheap and auto paint don't go together..... I have been looking at the tractor paint from tractor supply that uses hardner, down side is limited colors. I have sprayed some where the paint cost well over 200 dollars a gallon not including hardner, thinner and clear...... I can remember buying a gallon of Dupont Centuri for less than 50 bucks with hardner, crazy. I just don't know if my truck (or pieces) are worthy of spending the extra dollars yet. Whatever you decide the final paint is only as good as the body work underneath.
Good Luck,
Paul
Get yourself an inexpensive gravity feed gun (usually around a hundred bucks) and a small compressor and spray away. I would venture to guess a power painter would leave a lot of orange peel (may be wrong) but I also would think it would turn out better than a roller. If you already have one try it on something, just remember to try it with the paint you intend to use and on something metal. Unfortunitely cheap and auto paint don't go together..... I have been looking at the tractor paint from tractor supply that uses hardner, down side is limited colors. I have sprayed some where the paint cost well over 200 dollars a gallon not including hardner, thinner and clear...... I can remember buying a gallon of Dupont Centuri for less than 50 bucks with hardner, crazy. I just don't know if my truck (or pieces) are worthy of spending the extra dollars yet. Whatever you decide the final paint is only as good as the body work underneath.
Good Luck,
Paul
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 968
Likes: 0
From: webster wi
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 309
Likes: 9
From: Northern IL
Id do yourself a favor and get an hvlp spray gun for your air compressor. This one is 15 bucks and I used it to paint my friends cutlass. Worked great and since you have a compressor it will be a cheaper route than messing with a electric.
http://www.harborfreight.com/20-oz-h...gun-47016.html
If you don't like the paints needhelp49 posted try Eastwood single stage. This is what we used on my friends car.
Either way good luck with the painting! Can't wait to see the results.
http://www.harborfreight.com/20-oz-h...gun-47016.html
If you don't like the paints needhelp49 posted try Eastwood single stage. This is what we used on my friends car.
Either way good luck with the painting! Can't wait to see the results.
Welder User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 50
From: northwest MT
I say try out the airless........How are you gonna know if you don't try? I would practice a little on something else though.
Auto paint stores usually have "mistake" paint that you can get for a fraction of the normal price, also most have a budget line of paint.
Don't forget to use a GOOD respirator if you are spraying...
Auto paint stores usually have "mistake" paint that you can get for a fraction of the normal price, also most have a budget line of paint.
Don't forget to use a GOOD respirator if you are spraying...
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 2
From: Kalamazoo MI
I second the HVLP spray gun from Harbor Freight. Make sure the compressor can handle it or use a general purpose spray gun which requires less pressure/air flow. I have also had great luck with Valspar Tractor Restoration Paint from Tractor Supply. It goes on very glossy but mellows out to a more satin finish. I really like more satin finishes, just looks better on these old trucks (IMHO). Heck, clear coat wasn't around then. It does take about 20 days to really cure but it is forgiving. Make sure you add their harder to it. Will you get a top dollar paint job out of the setup, no, but it can look fine for a daily driver. Buff it out and wax it. I would stay away from the paint roll jobs just cuz of the sanding and labor involved.
My buddy just spent $3000 on a nice paint job and scratched his paint reinstalling his division bars. I felt bad for him. I personally want trucks that I can drive for daily use and I find show paint jobs don't work for me. Good luck and have fun!
My buddy just spent $3000 on a nice paint job and scratched his paint reinstalling his division bars. I felt bad for him. I personally want trucks that I can drive for daily use and I find show paint jobs don't work for me. Good luck and have fun!
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 53
From: Coatesville, PA
Thanks everyone. I have the largest 110Volt compressor Sears sold 20yrs ago and it still works fine. I've sprayed primer with it a few times but no other paint. Maybe I'll try the HF spray gun and some Tractor paint. I don't want / can't afford a show winner just want something that looks ok. Just dreaming right now, guess I have cabin fever.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 9
From: Acworth, GA
I have a set of Harbor Freight hvlp spray guns and a Craftsman 110v air compressor. I have been teaching myself how to do the body work on my truck, link here; https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...build-log.html
I have also been reading on this site; SPI User Forums
I have been using their primer, and will be using their bed-liner also. These are good, quality products from an excellent local company (they also ship nationwide); Home
I would suggest reading up on as much material as you can and make informed decisions based on your needs. I am by no means a professional body man, but rather am doing it out of the necessity to save the money that I don't have. Good luck on your project.
I have also been reading on this site; SPI User Forums
I have been using their primer, and will be using their bed-liner also. These are good, quality products from an excellent local company (they also ship nationwide); Home
I would suggest reading up on as much material as you can and make informed decisions based on your needs. I am by no means a professional body man, but rather am doing it out of the necessity to save the money that I don't have. Good luck on your project.
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: mississippi
I used the hot rod flatz system from TCP Global - Quality & Service Since 1974 to paint my truck. It was about $150 a gal If i remember right. I also used there hvlp gun kit. I was really happy with the results. my only problem was my compressor, I had a 20 gal. 110v that was only rated at 7cfm and it just couldn't keep up. The gun called for 6 cfm but by the time I had all the filters and dryers inline it really cut my air down too low. I now have a 60 gal. 5hp compressor that is rated at 16 cfm and it made a world of difference in how the paint atomizes and flows with the same guns.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 3
From: Morgan Hill, CA
I've used Rustoleum industrial enamel on a tractor that sits outside on a full time basis. I sprayed with an HVLP gun. That stuff is very forgiving and goes on pretty well. If you want to improve the appearance of your truck, and protect it until you decide to do something else, it'd be a pretty good way to go. If your old spray gun is in good shape, give it a try on something else like your wheel-barrow or an old box. Those old high pressure guns did a nice job...they're just not environmentally correct by today's standards.
Also note, that if you need to, call a local rental yard...they would probably have a compressor that you can rent for the day that you want to spray the whole truck. Use your small setup for the body work and the occasional spray of primer.
If you have any rust that you're going to cover up, consider using a rust prep first. There are plenty of phosphoric acid washes that will help to treat the rust before you cover it up with rustoleum.
Also note, that if you need to, call a local rental yard...they would probably have a compressor that you can rent for the day that you want to spray the whole truck. Use your small setup for the body work and the occasional spray of primer.
If you have any rust that you're going to cover up, consider using a rust prep first. There are plenty of phosphoric acid washes that will help to treat the rust before you cover it up with rustoleum.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
You can always chain a second compressor to yours to get enough air. Contractor style (nail gun) compressors are very available used for a lower price than renting one, check Craig's list or your local pawn shops. Simply Tee the outputs together. Keep the hose between the compressor and gun as short as possible, you can lose a lot of volume in a long hose. NEVER use one of the spiral "self retracting" hoses or smaller than 3/8" inside.
These people altho selling mostly high end guns, still have a lot of good info on their site: HVLP Spray Guns and Paint Spayers - DeVilbiss Sharpe Binks Iwata Asturo Finest HVLP and Reduced Pressure spray guns
These people altho selling mostly high end guns, still have a lot of good info on their site: HVLP Spray Guns and Paint Spayers - DeVilbiss Sharpe Binks Iwata Asturo Finest HVLP and Reduced Pressure spray guns
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 9
From: Acworth, GA
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