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Rustoleum <$100 Paintjob, Hardtop is Done

StevoandaRedK5

StevoandaRedK5

1/2 ton status
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Ok so I've been planning on using Rustoleum to paint my truck for a while now, but I don't have the mind-numbing amounts of time required to do all the rolling and sanding. So I decided to spray it....with my $15 Central Pneumatic spray gun from Harbor Freight:D. Body will be Safety Red, and the hardtop is Semi Gloss Black. I went out Saturday morning and bought all of the supplies to sand/mask/clean/spray, total cost - around $90. Made my own spray gun stand with a knife and a cardboard box, instead of actually paying money for one haha:D

0816091551-01.jpg


Painted the hardtop black yesterday. Thinned out the Rustoleum about 15% with acetone, came out nice with no runs, but it wasn't too thick. Pics:

Before:

HardtopSide.jpg


After:

0816091551-00.jpg


0816091552-03.jpg


0816091552-00.jpg


0816091553-01.jpg




It's definitely what some guys would refer to as a "20-footer" paint job, but I ain't going for anything near show/decent quality, i just wanted something I could easily touch up if needed.

I've started pulling the trim/bumpers/lights, etc. to get the body ready, and hopefully will get it painted sometime between now and thursday. I leave Friday for Austin to move in for my freshman year of college at UT, and won't get to see my truck for a while. My parents don't think it is near efficient or reliable to drive there...:rolleyes: Anywho, that's why i have my Thursday deadline. I'll update this as I go.

Comments/Concerns/Questions/Inquiries/Pointers/???
 
if you prepped a little more it would come out better. Buy the $10 window lock strip tool and remove the tops windows. But good stuff! Xtreme 4x4 rebuilt a transmission and showed how on this last sundays episode. maybe that would make you rig " more reliable."
 
K5 Jess said:
if you prepped a little more it would come out better. Buy the $10 window lock strip tool and remove the tops windows. But good stuff! Xtreme 4x4 rebuilt a transmission and showed how on this last sundays episode. maybe that would make you rig " more reliable."
Click to expand...

This top had spots where the gelcoat/paint was gone and was mildewing...the back corners have my "strength and function are way more important than looks" fiberglass repairs. Having it all one color is a vast improvement and as I said, I just needed to get it painted. As for removing the windows...I'm lazy and pretty good with a roll of blue painters tape.

As for the reliability part, the entire drivetrain in this truck is rebuilt/solid. I rebuilt the engine. Trans and t-case have been rebuilt. I have torn down the front axle and greased/replaced/serviced what needed it, the rear axle is in good shape, the factory posi is super tight after all these years.. New complete wiring harness, heat shield on the starter, brand new BFG KM2s etc. etc. Bottom line: I get in, it cranks, I DD it other than the fact that i'm prepping it for paint. It uses a lot of fuel b/c it's a fullsize with a V8, but it's paid for and the insurance is cheap. anyway /rantsoapbox:haha: So i'm stuck driving the Ford Tortoise (i mean Taurus) until they decide I can take my truck instead
 
It looks much better. Now paint the truck and drive that thing to college.
 
StevoandaRedK5 said:
This top had spots where the gelcoat/paint was gone and was mildewing...the back corners have my "strength and function are way more important than looks" fiberglass repairs. Having it all one color is a vast improvement and as I said, I just needed to get it painted. As for removing the windows...I'm lazy and pretty good with a roll of blue painters tape.

As for the reliability part, the entire drivetrain in this truck is rebuilt/solid. I rebuilt the engine. Trans and t-case have been rebuilt. I have torn down the front axle and greased/replaced/serviced what needed it, the rear axle is in good shape, the factory posi is super tight after all these years.. New complete wiring harness, heat shield on the starter, brand new BFG KM2s etc. etc. Bottom line: I get in, it cranks, I DD it other than the fact that i'm prepping it for paint. It uses a lot of fuel b/c it's a fullsize with a V8, but it's paid for and the insurance is cheap. anyway /rantsoapbox:haha: So i'm stuck driving the Ford Tortoise (i mean Taurus) until they decide I can take my truck instead
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right on! drive it anyway!!!!:D
 
I know that guys who are proficient with bodywork or do it for a living don't like these kind of jobs, but if I had the skills and the time I probably would have used a good single stage, etc, etc. instead of this. However...:D

Finished pulling everything tonight, and sanded the body. Lots of sanding. Cleaned it all up with Marine Clean. I'll move it in the morning and rinse it off, let it dry, mask it off. That will probably use up all of my time before work, so paint will either come tomorrow night or Wednesday morning.
 
Got out early this morning and masked off the truck. Had enough time so i went ahead and sprayed it. I don't know whether I'll do a second coat or not, to be honest I don't want to. Anyways here's the before and after.

Before:

0706091513-00.jpg


79TailgateNobumper.jpg


FrontStraight.jpg


After:

0818091145-00.jpg


0818091145-01.jpg


0818091145-02.jpg


0818091145-03.jpg


0818091145-04.jpg


0818091146-00.jpg


0818091146-02.jpg


0818091146-03.jpg


0818091147-00.jpg




Not fantastic, but for the time/money put into it....it is fine by me.:D Gonna put it back together tonight, and hopefully be driving it tomorrow.

Let 'er rip guys, what do you think? Another coat? Leave it and use the rattlecan version of the exact paint to touch it up if needed? I'm crazy and should have just left it alone until a real job could be done?:wink1::p:
 
Hey man as long as your happy with it, it looks great one color.

Maybe do the lower rocker pannels black to help tie the top in.... It will help hide the rust as well.

SOMETHING LIKE THIS

0818091145-00.jpg
 
Are you goin to try to get rid of the orange peel look? It looks good and would probably look even better without that
 
dfl701 said:
Are you goin to try to get rid of the orange peel look? It looks good and would probably look even better without that
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I have the stuff to wetsand it....is that the way to go? I don't have a lot of time to put man hours into this so if it's a tedious thing, then the orange peel will remain haha

original balzer said:
Hey man as long as your happy with it, it looks great one color.

Maybe do the lower rocker pannels black to help tie the top in.... It will help hide the rust as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I will be painting the sliders black, and it's possible I could do some type of lower accent....i don't know, i'll look at it tonight.


Edit: I will say that the drivers side rear fender will be getting cut out some more(like the pass side), i just haven't gotten around to it.
 
I photohacked a pic to show you what I mean.

as far as the orange peel I think you can use a high speed buffer to polish it out but being its only one coat of paint you might burn through too quick.

I dont know for sure I think it has alot to do with the kind of paint it is. So I could be wrong on the buffing.
 
original balzer said:
I photohacked a pic to show you what I mean.

as far as the orange peel I think you can use a high speed buffer to polish it out but being its only one coat of paint you might burn through too quick.

I dont know for sure I think it has alot to do with the kind of paint it is. So I could be wrong on the buffing.
Click to expand...

Ah, so similar to like...colbystephen's '73, cept he used Herc i think. hmm...

I think i'll leave the orange peel. It don't bother me. And means touch ups will blend in better haha
 
It's not bad looking at all, but I don't understand why you aren't bringing it to UT. We have some pretty impressive wheeling areas here, you know like MOAB.

Where are you going to school?
 
lectric80 said:
It's not bad looking at all, but I don't understand why you aren't bringing it to UT. We have some pretty impressive wheeling areas here, you know like MOAB.

Where are you going to school?
Click to expand...


University of Texas - I didn't realize we had a hippy on the board.
 
lectric80 said:
It's not bad looking at all, but I don't understand why you aren't bringing it to UT. We have some pretty impressive wheeling areas here, you know like MOAB.

Where are you going to school?
Click to expand...


chalet2506 said:
University of Texas - I didn't realize we had a hippy on the board.
Click to expand...

You've got the College part right....now define hippy?:D:haha:
 
Bodywork is overated, it looks fine, and cost way more than my $24 paint job from Wal Mart.

Martin
 
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