Paint for a trailer queen

[derf]

Looking for some advice from the paint gurus.

 

I'm thinking about paint for my dedicated trail rig.  I've got a mismatch of colors on the panels I'd like to make one consistent color.  I'm also going to be building some new stuff that will need paint.  I have the ability to use an HVLP setup in a makeshift paint booth so I'm planning on blasting the existing paint and doing the initial paint job that way.

 

So the question goes to what kind/brand of paint should I start with.  I know that there are different kinds of paint and different techniques for applying them.  But I don't know much detail about what makes one better than the other for my particular intent.

 

This truck will get scratched and probably see some rock rash.  I want to be able to use rattle cans to cover up the exposed metal in a way that looks "decent" without all of the work of really blending the finish to look "perfect".  That suggests to me that I'm looking for a simple paint that doesn't require clear coat so I can just sand the perimeter around the scratch and lay down a couple of quick coats from a parts store rattle can and I'm done.  But I'm open to suggestions from people who actually know paint well.

 

What advice can the experts give a paint noob?

[Pete M]

honestly, if my plan was to use the truck kinda rough and cover up scratches with a rattle can, I'd probably use a rattle can for the whole thing.   

 

scuff, clean, paint, let dry.

 

but then, I'm not one of those paint gurus you seek.   

[derf]

16 minutes ago, Pete M said:

honestly, if my plan was to use the truck kinda rough and cover up scratches with a rattle can, I'd probably use a rattle can for the whole thing.   

 

scuff, clean, paint, let dry.

 

but then, I'm not one of those paint gurus you seek.   

I'm going to be building a new bed.  And I want to start with all the panels the same color, which they aren't right now.  So I want to do an initial re-paint.  Then I'll just do maintenance with a rattle can.

 

Besides, given that I have access to many of the tools the supply costs for the initial paint will probably be lower than buying a couple cases of rattle cans.

[89 MJ]

I would use the PPG Omni line. It’s good quality and relatively inexpensive. That is what I used on my MJ. It’s a metallic paint and it cost $250 a gallon. I used 1 gallon. 

[Eagle]

Given the description of the proposed use, I wouldn't spend the money on high-dollar automotive paint. You can't match it from a rattle can -- unless you have the paint store make up a custom rattle can (at $50 a pop).

 

Go to Lowe's or Home Depot and pick a Rustoleum color you like. Find one that comes in cans that you acn spray, and that's also available in rattle cans for future touch-up.

 

[mjben]

John Deere Blitz Black.

Seriously.

Comes in rattle cans too. 

[Limeyjeeper]

5 hours ago, 89 MJ said:

I would use the PPG Omni line. It’s good quality and relatively inexpensive. That is what I used on my MJ. It’s a metallic paint and it cost $250 a gallon. I used 1 gallon. 

Second on PPG great paint. Used it on my build

[ghetdjc320]

I used ppg ditzler and it’s great paint. For your application though id stay away from single stage or two stage paints and go with a rattle can or bedliner type product (monstaliner, raptor liner etc)

[ghetdjc320]

You either want something super durable and hard (eg bedliner) or something easy to touch up (rattle can or 1k paint)

[PCO6]

derf - I'm far from being a guru but I just finished painting an off-road trailer with single stage enamel and am happy with the results.   I used Tremclad which is a Rustoleum product.   My thinking is the same as yours - it's going to get beat up and I'm going to have to fix it from time to time.   I used an inexpensive gun from Princess Auto (like Harbor Freight) and bought the paint at Canadian Tire (cheap!).   I cut it with mineral spirits.   You can play around with the mix but I went with 4 parts paint to 1 part reducer.   I also added about a half part of hardener (ProForm from Car Quest). I painted it outside under a 10'x20' canopy.  I'm currently painting my LJ which should turn out the same.   If not ... I'll do it again!

[derf]

19 hours ago, Eagle said:

Given the description of the proposed use, I wouldn't spend the money on high-dollar automotive paint. You can't match it from a rattle can -- unless you have the paint store make up a custom rattle can (at $50 a pop).

 

Go to Lowe's or Home Depot and pick a Rustoleum color you like. Find one that comes in cans that you acn spray, and that's also available in rattle cans for future touch-up.

 

One thing I'm looking at is picking a very common initial paint color that matches a factory color you can get in a touch up paint can at the parts store.  Sure, they won't be a perfect match but they'll be pretty close.  And close is good enough.

[derf]

16 hours ago, mjben said:

John Deere Blitz Black.

Seriously.

Comes in rattle cans too. 

Now that's an idea.  Farm implement paint is designed for exactly what I'm trying to do.  Cheap and durable...

 

Although, looking a bit more into it, I like the idea of Allis Chalmers orange.  My grandfather was an Allis Chalmers dealer for decades.

[Smokeyyank]

Durabak, you can get it in a smooth/matte finish if you don't want he typical "textured" bed liner paint. 

[Eagle]

4 hours ago, derf said:

One thing I'm looking at is picking a very common initial paint color that matches a factory color you can get in a touch up paint can at the parts store.  Sure, they won't be a perfect match but they'll be pretty close.  And close is good enough.

 

Rustoleum red is pretty close to Colorado Red.

 

The problem is that ALL reds fade badly and quickly when exposed to sunlight. But if you use a Rustoleum paint for your spray, the Rustoleum rattle cans will be a good match and cost a lot less than automotive touch-up.

[derf]

52 minutes ago, Eagle said:

 

Rustoleum red is pretty close to Colorado Red.

 

The problem is that ALL reds fade badly and quickly when exposed to sunlight. But if you use a Rustoleum paint for your spray, the Rustoleum rattle cans will be a good match and cost a lot less than automotive touch-up.

We had a sky blue 78 Olds when I was growing up.  It's first 4 years were spent in Florida baking in the sun.  Shortly after we moved, dad bumped the mail box with the rear fender and put a good scratch into it.  He bought factory code paint to fix it.  He did a great job feathering out the paint.  You couldn't see the scratch at all and the new paint blended into the old with a gradual fade.  But the new paint was many shades darker than the original paint so that part of the fender stuck out pretty badly.

 

I suspect that's what I'll end up with over the years.  But I'm fine with that.  After all, it's a trail rig not a show car.

[1989commanche]

Rustoleum Hammered paint looks neat I have painted all my bumpers and rock rails with it. Little speckled looking

[JMO413]

8 hours ago, derf said:

Now that's an idea.  Farm implement paint is designed for exactly what I'm trying to do.  Cheap and durable...

 

Although, looking a bit more into it, I like the idea of Allis Chalmers orange.  My grandfather was an Allis Chalmers dealer for decades.

I painted my CJ-7 with implement paint. Minneapolis Moline gold is a nice Orange color. It has held up great. I'm planning on painting the MJ with implement black.

[phatton]

I used GCI 595 series military coatings.  This is an alkyd enamel designed to be sprayed on.  I got it from Gillespie Coatings, Inc., 211 Gum Springs Rd, Longview, Texas 75602.  Their phone number is 903 753 0393.  I got a gallon of their Sand color which is a flat paint that sticks well and is pretty forgiving to spray.  They recommend using up to 20% Xylene to thin this paint if you are using conventional spray equipment.  I ordered mine a couple of years ago.  I believe it cost me around $120 a gallon delivered to PA.  The company also makes spray cans of the same paint which matches nicely.  I like it.