Not sure if this is the right forum or not but i'm looking for some advice on experiences you had with painting these trucks?

Not looking for anything spectacular but i was looking into a DIY job with a single stage paint.

Would be doing a solid color, Blue top and bottom and the white center?

What do you guys think/recommend?

 

Not sure why nobody has responded. Maybe because it's not real clear whether you are asking for advice on color or on the paint or painting itself. Never painted an OBS but I've painted a couple of other trucks.

All the flat surfaces on an OBS will show up defects. Prep is 90% of a good paint job so take your time and get it right. I'm with you on the old school single stage paint. I think it looks better and you don't have to worry about whatever it is that seems to happen to clear coats in a few years. Maybe they've fixed that problem but I just like single stage paint.

I use urethane two part (paint and hardener, as opposed to two stage) paint. It is hard on your lungs and I have a positive air mask system. A lot of guys will tell you don't worry about it but they're usually the same guys puffing away on cigarettes.

I also use a two part epoxy primer. You need to either put the color coat on within 24 hours or sand the primer to give it tooth for the color coat to grip. I don't claim to be a primer expert and there are a lot of options. Paint brand and primer type are kind of like asking about oil and you will get a lot of opinions.

About color, lots of great looking two tone colors for OBS trucks. Completely personal preference.

Maybe my comments will get some of the more experienced OBS painters to post.

 

Thanks Bob - it is a pretty wide open question but i was just looking for some thoughts, just as you posted so thank you. I've been reading a lot and you summarize alot of what i've seen. We are going to replace the wheel wells and arches before we paint it so that we don't have to deal with that down the road.

would def use the epoxy primer and the stuff i was reading about said to paint within 18 hours or sand so you're right on there. I think we are leaning towards a solid color now due to the ease and timing concerns.

One question I have.......if we do a solid color, is there any issue with painting it a piece at a time? Like taking off the doors/hood/tailgate etc and taking them into the garage and doing it that way? This way each piece would be more manageable. not sure if that would cause issues.

 

I've taken off things like hoods and tailgates and painted them separately with no problems. Paint came from the same can so if there was any color difference it's not visible. I only have a makeshift spray booth and I've tried hanging them upside down to minimize dust landing on them. Kind of awkward spraying vertically up and I don't think I'll try that anymore.

Although I've never done a two-tone I think they look great on OBS trucks. Someday when I get around to painting mine I'll give it a shot.

 

I use to do single stage but I like 2 stage more. Light coat of color and a few coats of clear. As long as your not using Chevy or dodge painting products it should last a long time