Rustoleum Paint Job

Brent · 04-15-2010, 11:02 PM

I saw a couple of notes in the meet thread about rustoleum paint jobs, so I thought I'd start a thread on this.

First of all, my car is a $400, 330, 000 + km, formerly rust filled, riveted money pit with lots of body filler. Of course I would not paint a car this way if I thought it was going to be around for a long time, or wanted to show it. This is my first time ever working on a car, I've fixed pretty big rust holes in it, bent metal to rebuild whole missing areas, and sanded more filler than I care to admit. It's taken a year and a half, and I'm going to paint it myself for better or worse.

I've also read a ton on the internet about the "$98 paint job", and various other cost effective methods to painting. I've decided to do the following:

1. I have sanded the entire car down with 80, 220, 400, and 600 grit sandpaper. Then I wet sanded again and again with 600, and filled every single rough looking spot or little hole I could find. Most information about this says that the prep is the most important part of the job.
2. I have washed the car down with dishwashing soap to get rid of any oil. Next I will wipe it down with a tack rag to get off the last bits of dust, etc...
3. I am going to put the car in the garage, open the garage door, and seal it with plastic. Then I will cut a fan sized hole in the pastic and put a fan in to get any dust and overspray out.
4. I am buying (have bought-watch this, Canadian Tire only stocks about 6 cans per store) 20 spray cans of "fire engine red" Tremclad high gloss rust paint. I am going to spray at least 6 coats so I can wetsand afterwards. A friend will help me spray so that we can keep painting over tacky paint that has not dried yet.
5. I will let the paint dry for at least a week, then put the car back together. I am not going to actually wetsand for at least a month and some seriously hot weather. Then I will wetsand 1000, 1500, and 2000 grit, before buffing with a scratch remover.

I've already painted the doors and door jams this way, and they came out well. I got some runs, but not where they will really be noticeable. The problem was painting succesive coats before the paint had dried to tacky. I will do the bumbers next to practice some more, then on to the car the first hot weekend (16 degrees or hopefully hotter). Anyone who wants to check it out is welcome to come by...I'll post as I get going more on this project!

BMW BMXer · 04-15-2010, 11:09 PM

before pics?

Brent · 04-15-2010, 11:14 PM

I'll try to get some up this weekend...I do have some pics of the car when it first came, but I want to show the painting only...

Eurostyle · 04-15-2010, 11:44 PM

I did a $150 paint job on my E36...Most prep was only 120 grid, 15 cans of paint, and still have a few left over for tuch ups!

blk3 · 04-16-2010, 12:18 AM

I want a front lip like that, cant find one though

nachos23 · 04-16-2010, 12:21 AM

yoo gonna drive it that way Filip?

blk3 · 04-16-2010, 12:25 AM

he has had it like that for a while. saw this car at his place a few months back

Eurostyle · 04-16-2010, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blk3

I want a front lip like that, cant find one though

Same with the guy who ripped mine off the car!

Eurostyle · 04-16-2010, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nachos23

yoo gonna drive it that way Filip?

I did for a year and a bit...now replaced by E46!

Aloush · 04-16-2010, 01:12 AM

subscribed..!!!

will attempt this but i think with a roller..

v_bimmer · 04-16-2010, 01:53 AM

i hope it turns out decent for you....

but it looks like you havent done enough reading and studying on bodywork!!

not to say anything rude, but after reading your plan for bodywork on your car, you are missing a lot of key ingredients to a decent paint job!

if you are looking for some tips, pm me!

p.s im in bodyshop business

Brent · 04-16-2010, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by v_bimmer

i hope it turns out decent for you....

but it looks like you havent done enough reading and studying on bodywork!!

not to say anything rude, but after reading your plan for bodywork on your car, you are missing a lot of key ingredients to a decent paint job!

if you are looking for some tips, pm me!

p.s im in bodyshop business

PM'd!

Brent · 04-16-2010, 06:43 AM

Of course, all advice/tips would definitely be appreciated...

nonlocal · 04-16-2010, 06:48 AM

Why not just post your tips in this thread where other people who find it in the future might benefit too? Or will you be found wrapped in zipties with bondo shoes at the bottom of lake Ontario if the bodyshop mafia find out you've been sharing their secrets?

Aloush · 04-16-2010, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonlocal

Why not just post your tips in this thread where other people who find it in the future might benefit too? Or will you be found wrapped in zipties with bondo shoes at the bottom of lake Ontario if the bodyshop mafia find out you've been sharing their secrets?

+1 iam sure many would benefit from some useful tips.