My truck has no clear coat and really not a whole lot of paint left on it at all. Im not sure how it isnt covered in rust but thankfully its not. Anyway I've been going back and forth with my best options for how to get it painted. I've got 3 options and would like to hear you guys opinions on each.

1) Rattle Can the whole thing. Thinking about giving it a quick once over with the sander and some mineral spirits, then a couple coats of spray can primer, another sanding, and then a couple coats of automotive spray paint. How bad will that look? How well will the paint hold up? BTW i've painted some large metal signs among other things with spray paint and i would say im at least a

2)same sanding and primer but spraying it with a paint sprayer. I've never used a sprayer. You think I would get better results or should i stick with rattlecans?

3)Doing the primer/sanding and taking it to a "quickie" shop.

someone throw me some advice before i spend a bunch of time and $$$ for crappy results. Tell me any steps im missing or tricks of the trade whatever, because im about to dive into this thing.

Also throw some ideas about color. Right now im liking flat black but im not married to it.

oh and as a reminder here she is. She aint pretty but she's mine.

 

Truck looks too nice for flat black.

Either way, prep work is key. It seems like you've got the right idea, but you also will need to wet sand it between coats so it's even. Then clear it, otherwise you'll be doing it again in about a year and a half. lol

 

thanks, Part of the reason i like flat black is because it seems like that would be an easy color for a novice like myself to pull off haha. I also like the "dodge" orange you sometimes see on trucks about this age.

 

My grandpa had an 84 I believe, anyway it was a charcoal gray that seemed to have a little bit of flake or something in it. Does anyone know the name of that color or where i could look at factory dodge colors from the past?

WOuld love some suggestions on how to go about painting this thing also.

 

You could also look into the rustoleum paint job. It can be rolled on with a THICK foam roller or thinned enough to be sprayed. I have used this on several cars and have always had good results. Of course you have the normal prep work sand and prime. Fill in holes etc. But you can do a whole truck for around 60 bucks. I know it sounds crazy or to good to be true but Google search this and roll it around your head . You can save a bunch of cash by doing this yourself. The one thing i learned that was never mentioned on any of the posts about the paint job is to get a bottle of Japan Drier. This stuff is a miracle it dries and cures the paint with in 24 hours. It really made the process a lot easier. I hope this helps you in your decision

 

Thanks and i will definitly look into it. Right now im at a kind of stand still on the project. I've recently flushed the rad and winterized, flushed tran, changed oil, put in a battery, had a broken bolt in the timing belt cover so got that out and replaced, ordered a windshield, now im deciding on tires because im looking into getting these real aggressive retreads that we have on some of our farm trucks. IF that doesnt work out, i found some real nice AT's for less than $120 a tire.

Anyway right now im just looking for as much info and as many ideas as possible on the paint because its something i've never done.

 

Not trying to thread jack or get off topic but what tires are you looking at for that price? I 'm looking for a good set myself

 

honestly they were somewhat of an off brand and i really dont remember the name of them. Next time im by the tire shop (prob sometime in the next few days) ill make it a point to see who makes them and post them here.

Could have possibly been nexxen or spectra but im not sure.

 

I'm getting ready to do a Rustoleum roller paint job on my 90 D-150 myself and as was already said prep is the key. Flat black is a lot harder to pull off than you might think because of all the shading that can happen from over lapping layers. White is the easiest color because it hides a lot of imperfections.

Lot of people are dismissive of the Rustoleum paint jobs but its old school enamel and if you thin it right, do multiple layers and wet sand appropriately you get a deep and rich shine that is very durable (I have done some tractors and a motorcycle). It does take a lot of work to get it to look right though so dont think its a cake walk. You also dont want to try a roller method with any metal flake in it. I wouldnt do that kind of paint job on a high value classic but for an older car or truck that you actually want to drive its a good way to get a cheap paint job. My 86 D-150 had a MAACO cheapo paint job not long before I bought it and its terrible..it would have been better rattle canned by a meth head coming down off a 3 day high.

I will say this, you have a nice looking truck but I dont think I have ever seen a Pink one like that.

 

i am going thru the same dilemma with my 1991 W150. When I got it it had a junky paint job on it that is so bad, they painted over the glue residue on the sides for the trim. Not only that, but there is major ornage peel, swirl marks from junk prep work, and every other problem there can be. I am thinking they painted it with that Rustolium roll on paint, but the PO SAID it was done at One Day which is obviously a lie. Anyway, I painted my 1974 Chevy 3/4 ton 4x2 with satin red, did a flat black hood insert and painted the roof shiny white, all with rattle cans and it came out FANTASTIC! Looks real old school hot rod. I am however with the Dodge going to prep it myself and take it to Maaco or One Day. Both have a color that is REAL close to factory and after getting it back, I will do the original set of 1979 Power Wagon Decals I am getting next week for it. It will look like this but blue where this one is yellow.