Getting ready to paint my truck. I replaced the fenders. Patched a small rust hole in the bed. A couple of questions before I start. I have a paint gun.(from Harbor Freight)
1.Do i have to strip the paint down to the metal,or can i just scuff up the paint.
2.What type of primer do i need,and should a gallon do.
3.For the paint do i need to get hardener or any other additives for the paint.

Thank you for the help and sorry for the long post. Ill take photos of the progress and post all when finished

 

It all depends on what you want to do and use. If you want a good paint job that is not going to chip or fade you will want bare metal. And use a quality paint and the primer that is made for it.

If you don't care if it fades in a couple of years then just scuff the paint ect.

Best thing to do is go to a quality automotive paint supply shop. Get everything that will work with another.

Just be prepared for TONS and TONS and TONS of sanding.

 

ill have to add to the sanding lol.
i half...no quarter assed my hood and that still took 6 hours and it looks like $%^& lol except when wet

 

What look are you trying to achieve? Show truck, or a nice passable paint job?

I painted my truck with a gallon of rustoleum and foam rollers. After a rough sanding, roll on paint thinned out 50/50 with mineral spirits. 3 coats got me a nice enough finish.

Don't get me wrong, it's not a show truck. Definitely a 10-foot paint job. Look at it from 10 feet away, and it looks fine. I drove it down through the woods to the cabin the next weekend and scratched her up pretty good anyways. For $32/gal, I'll go anywhere and patch her up every other year. I've done this twice now. First pic is of truck is spot-primed, 2 years heavy use after first paint, second pic is the second job. Masking is light due minimal overspray from rollers.

before:




after:

 

It looks great.Not bad at all. Ill post pics when im finished.Iv sanded it down to bare metal and found a couple more spots that need care.lol