I purchased my truck in 2000 and, unfortunately, it has never been garaged. The paint started peeling soon after purchase. Only the stripes remain on the cabs top. The hood and parts of the drivers side look bad also. It has a fiberglass lid with a small chip. I also need to repair a couple of small dents...one in the rocker from a blown tire and another above the rear wheel.

I cannot afford a quality paint job and it is embarrassing to drive in it's current state. I would like it to look half-way decent until I can afford to have it painted (a freind with 36 years experience said it would cost over 4000. Maaco $1800). I was thinking of driving it with a self-applied black primer for a while. I would like to apply the primer in my driveway. I do own an HVLP sprayer.

What problems arise with only primer and no top-coat?

Did Chrysler use bad paint or primer?

Is necessary to strip down to bare metal?

 

Check out gdstock's Ram Bodywork thread. He is doing an excellent job on his, in his driveway/garage.

 

Just primer is a bad idea, it is made to absorb. And it also absorbs water and the metal underneath it will rust..If left that way fro too long. At least the older style primers did.

 

dont be embarssed to drive any thing you own its PAID for screw every one

 

Weather or not you have to strip it depends on the condition of your paint. Is it peeling/cracked or is it just faded? you can use primer as a topcoat with no problems if you use epoxy primer. It is not porous, I use it as a sealer before paint.

 

Wow.. booooowhooo I'm embarassed to drive a vehichle:'( some people in this world really kill me. Why is it you can't afford to have it painted right?

 

Thanks for that info. I'm not up to date on the new paints so much.

 

4HoNdaDODGE Some people in this world are real a@#holes.

 

Welcome to the reality of life... I'm just saying how can you be embarassed to drive mopar? Come on its not like its a chevy... I mean who really gives a damn what other people think.

 

Paint can be a real challenge. The challenge increases if you become too critical with your won work. Use plastic sheeting in your garage, a fan to help draw air out with a small opening (window or partially blovkd off doorway) for air inlet.

Talk to paint supply store. Some paints are much easier to apply than others. Pick an eaiser paint, and a color that is not difficulot (such as a black metallic, metal flake, or pearl.) Also, black is not the easiest. Maaco for $1800? If you have the time and patience, you can obtain quality paint and supplies for a whole lot less.