Advice on spray painting.

[DalesCarpentry]

I picked up the much needed cap for my new to me truck yesterday. Now I can store my tools in the back and I don't have to worry about theft and weather. The thing is my truck is black and the cap is baby blue. I don't have the money to pay a body shop a few hundred dollars to paint it. One of these weekends real soon when no rain is predicted I will atempt to spray paint with cans of spray paint. I think I am going to use Krylon Fusion paint. I have used it to paint many other things with good results. I have also chosen it because it is for plastic, pvc and resin products. Have any of you ever painted something so large with can spray paint? It says no prep needed on the can. Do you think it would be ok to just wipe the cap down with some kind of solvent and then spray it? Or do you think I should sand the cap with 220 grit sand paper first? Any advice would be great. I just never painted anything this big with spray paint. Thanks Dale

[30-30man]

I've used the Fusion paints to paint my shutters on my house and it turned out great.  The only problem with spraying a truck cap is the size.  It is going to cost you in dearly in paint as the Fusion is $5 or more a can and will not cover that much. I once tried to spray some lawn chairs and it took three cans per chair and it turned out horrible.  You could see spots all over them.  Another thing to look at is no matter what you do you're going to have heavy paint spots that will show up in the sun.  If it were me, I'd get a can of enamel from Tractor Supply and spray it with an air compressor.  The enamel runs $10-20 a quart and will more than cover your project.  You could also spray a can of clear over it once you sand it to make it look like the truck.  If you are a carpenter, I'm sure you have some kind of portable air compressor.  All you need is a cheap spray gun from Harbor Freight and you good to go.

[DalesCarpentry]

I've used the Fusion paints to paint my shutters on my house and it turned out great.  The only problem with spraying a truck cap is the size.  It is going to cost you in dearly in paint as the Fusion is $5 or more a can and will not cover that much. I once tried to spray some lawn chairs and it took three cans per chair and it turned out horrible.  You could see spots all over them.  Another thing to look at is no matter what you do you're going to have heavy paint spots that will show up in the sun.  If it were me, I'd get a can of enamel from Tractor Supply and spray it with an air compressor.  The enamel runs $10-20 a quart and will more than cover your project.  You could also spray a can of clear over it once you sand it to make it look like the truck.  If you are a carpenter, I'm sure you have some kind of portable air compressor.  All you need is a cheap spray gun from Harbor Freight and you good to go.

I do have a couple compressors. I also have a paint gun I bought about 10 years ago to spray some lacquar. Boy I miss spell check. I has sat for years and don't even really remember how well it worked. I might look into that. Thanks Dale

[CannonKrazy]

You need to do a light sanding job to the cap so the new paint will have something to grab to. Also the sanding will help remove any wax or residue that may be on the surface. Another option would be to check out several pawn shops and see if they have a used paint sprayer. Like 3030 man said paint is cheap and you should be able to find a sprayer for around 15 to 20 bucks.

[DalesCarpentry]

You need to do a light sanding job to the cap so the new paint will have something to grab to. Also the sanding will help remove any wax or residue that may be on the surface. Another option would be to check out several pawn shops and see if they have a used paint sprayer. Like 3030 man said paint is cheap and you should be able to find a sprayer for around 15 to 20 bucks.

I do have a spray gun. I just don't remember how it works. I did find a guy on the net that is only 50 miles away from me that would spray it for $150.00 if do the prep work. Dale

[CannonKrazy]

If you already got a sprayer give it a shot very lightly. Give it a couple coats and see how she looks. If it's a little rough you can water sand it lightly and lay another coat over that. Once you get a good base  (desired thickness) on it and you still aren't happy with the finish just water sand with very fine paper and buff it out to a shine.

[DDelle338]

  Also consider having an area surounded best you can by drop cloths even if it isn't windy. Bugs are attracted to freshly painted surfaces. I know that around my place (S. Central PA.) the little black flies came out in the billions last week end. They were everywhere!

[DalesCarpentry]

  Also consider having an area surounded best you can by drop cloths even if it isn't windy. Bugs are attracted to freshly painted surfaces. I know that around my place (S. Central PA.) the little black flies came out in the billions last week end. They were everywhere!

Boy that would be a nightmare. I am in the process of trying to learn everything I can about spraying a car. I might just buy some auto paint and give it a go. I kind sounds like it would be a fun project. There is a lot to learn about paints, hardeners, clear coats and other things I don't have a clue on. Do we have any body people here? Thanks Dale

[Norm1057]

After doing a similar job on my '90 GMC, I would find the money for someone to do it again the right way. I learned the hard way that there is more art to painting a vehicle than I thought I would have ever thought.

[Empty Quiver]

Go to your local NAPA or wherever you get the supplies and be sure to let them know what you are painting. They will be able to set you up right. I would think about going with white paint as black will be just about as hard as anything you could choose.

[DalesCarpentry]

Go to your local NAPA or wherever you get the supplies and be sure to let them know what you are painting. They will be able to set you up right. I would think about going with white paint as black will be just about as hard as anything you could choose.

I would go with white if my truck were white but it is black. I would like to match the truck color. We do have a NAPA about a mile away. Do they sell everything I need? Including the paint? Thanks Dale

[CannonKrazy]

A friend of mine was taking an automotive class at a local tech school a few years back. I remember they would get vehicles in that needed body repair and paint for class projects. Most of the time all it would cost the owner was the price of parts and paint. If there is a local technical school around you might try asking if they do this kind of thing.

[DalesCarpentry]

A friend of mine was taking an automotive class at a local tech school a few years back. I remember they would get vehicles in that needed body repair and paint for class projects. Most of the time all it would cost the owner was the price of parts and paint. If there is a local technical school around you might try asking if they do this kind of thing.

I do know of a couple votec schools around here. Thanks for another option. Dale

[Don Smith]

You can get a good paint job using spray cans if you follow a few simple rules.  The first and most important rule is to never start and stop spraying over the material being sprayed.  The valve must be depressed completely to ensure a clean spray pattern.  After the valve is completely depressed move the spray over the material.  Rule 2   Never change direction or speed  as you move the spray can across the item.   Spray the first two coats lightly and let them get tacky before starting the next coat.  Keep the spray strokes even and and constant with the spray tip around 12 inches above the surface. Try not to change the tip distance to the item being sprayed.  Try to keep the can as close to upright as possible. Most important as the level in the can gets lower. Clean the surface with alcohol before spraying.  Just a few suggestions   Don

[magooch]

Take it to Earl Scheib--he'll paint anything for $29.95.

[no guns here]

Dale,
     You might even call some of the local high schools.  Some schools still have auto classes.  They will do the work for free, you buy the parts/supplies.  My dad used to take his truck to the local prison since they had a class there to re-educate and train the inmates.  Same deal, free labor but you supply parts.  My kids aunt (by marriage) and her husband had their house built by the local high school's votech class.  They only had to pay for materials and inspections.


NGH

[Empty Quiver]

My comment about the color was a warning about the do it yourself project. If you are concerned about the way it looks in black hire a pro.

[SHOOTALL]

Dale if you have a NAPA store near you get them to match the color code for you and put the paint in spray cans . My son just used some they caned for him and it worked good .

[DalesCarpentry]

Dale if you have a NAPA store near you get them to match the color code for you and put the paint in spray cans . My son just used some they caned for him and it worked good .

Wow. I never heard of that. Dale