cheap paint job
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cheap paint job
Im planning on painting my truck soon, i run it in the local mud races and it really needs the paint. What im wondering is what is the absolute cheapest and easiest way to paint my truck. It's going to be mostly white with a few red parts here and there. Me and a friend painted his truck by simply using a spray can primer and two coats of regular paint mixed with thinner, it turned out decent, it wasnt the best but it was good enough. Keep in mind this truck doesnt hafta be sparkling and flawless, it just hasta be white. Does anybody think i can just tape it off, spray can primer on, then buy some kind of white paint and mix it with thinner in my spray gun and go at it with 2 coats, wet sanding between them? Also remeber it is a mud race, so it will hafta stand being washed alot with a pressure washer.
thanks,
matt
thanks,
matt
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: green bay, WI
Cheapest would be lacquer primer for any body work or fill needed, with acyrlic enamel single stage with hardener. Lacquer primer isn't the best, but will do for a cheap job. You want to use an automotive paint for the topcoat, not something that comes in spray bombs or without a hardener, won't be very durable if use one of these. Cheaper acrylic enamels with hardener for the color white will be about $100 a gallon
, some brands may be more some less.
, some brands may be more some less.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: green bay, WI
Or if you are painting the whole truck, check the paint supplier for paint they mis mixed (still good, just the tint or shade maybe a little off) or some that was ordered and was never picked up. You can save some money that way also.
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From: Seattle
kenseth17's idea would be the best, however finding 'mis-mixed' single stage automotive paint may be difficult. This is due to the fact that most automotive paints being used these days are two stage systems (basecoat-clearcoat), and more than likely, the basecoat is all you'll find. I would never recommend using the basecoat only, as it will self distruct in short order without the clear topcoat (and you will not find any 'mis-mixed' clear).
My opinion would be to use some good 'ol equipment enamel. This can be found at many your local paint outlets for around $25/Gal. And depending upon where you go, custom tinted (no metalics) to your liking. It's cheap, simple to use, and fairly durable.
Good luck!
My opinion would be to use some good 'ol equipment enamel. This can be found at many your local paint outlets for around $25/Gal. And depending upon where you go, custom tinted (no metalics) to your liking. It's cheap, simple to use, and fairly durable.
Good luck!
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: green bay, WI
really. The paint supplier here usually has centari or similar sitting on the shelf that was either mismixed or someone never picked up. I never bought any of the paint like that so I don't know how much you save. The hardener and reducer for it will be full price though. I just don't trust paint that isn't activated durability wise. Acrylic enamel can be sprayed without an activator, but heard it never really cures all the way through for many years without it. The activator adds durability and also gloss. No you can't use basecoat paint without clear on top, plus it would be just crappy looking.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Brentwood,CA
look on ebay for auto paint i picked up a whole kit for 59.00 and the paint is avery good quailty.
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From: Seattle
Originally Posted by kenseth17
really. The paint supplier here usually has centari or similar sitting on the shelf that was either mismixed or someone never picked up.....
I guess one thing I didn't take into consideration is the different EPA and State environmental standards around the country. Here it is very STRICT (Boeing I think), and the use of great single stage paint systems such as Centari have all but dissapeared because of the high VOC's. Heck, I heard rumor here that there was an automotive paint manufacturer experimenting with waterborne systems.
Hmmm.....
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: green bay, WI
waterbase has been around for many years, but was pretty poor quality in my opinion. I think california may have to use waterbase, not sure. Its getting that way though. Prices of paint is raising all the time and government keeps putting more regulations on it. Someday maybe everyone will be required to use waterbase paint if you are even able to paint at all. We are one of the highest taxed states, but one of the more leniant states for environmental issues. We don't have to have our cars pass emissions and not the worst for voc issues. But yet, appleton, about half an hour from me is trying to or has passed a smoking law were you can't smoke in any resteraunts even if it is a bar, and cant smoke anywhere at work.
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