Topic: Self Painting 95 Wrangler

[alandchris]

Anyone done this before -
Basically I have some body work to do - not alot but enough that I don't want to have someone else do it, paint it and cost more than what I paid for the jeep.

I thought about doing the body work and taking to Maaco - but I'm not sure of the paint quality (enamel) vs. what I can do either with a HVLP gun or just Duricolor can spray paint.

I'd like to take the jeep apart (well - just the window frame, doors - all the hardward off etc to paint it - the cost for Maaco to do so is high - So I thought if I put some plastic up in a heated garage - maybe I can do a base / clear coat after bodyworking, cleaning, prepping, etc - base coat it with Duricolor then clear coat it - ... blah blah blah

I saw the post on the 'tremclad' / rustoleum idea with a roller then wet sanding,,, but... 'rolling a paint job on a jeep ?'

Any advice?

[Jeffy]

Honestly, I'd do the Tremclad.  It seems fairly simple and it's going on in thin coats so there aren't roller marks from what I've read.  You can always try it out on a door, under the hood or inner fender and see if you like it.  http://www.4bangerjp.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1819

[Chad]

Chris are you from Aland? can't get the right A in their, but the finnish island in the baltic?

[Mozman68]

Look at the sig...his name is Al...assume Chris is "Christine".....or Christopher...not that there's anything wrong with that... :)

[alandchris]

ummm "christopher" - sorry - but something definitely wrong with that...

chris = christine = wife

[wrangler387]

How good of a paint job are you wanting? Will the base be plain or have metallics/flakes? Do you have a good supply of fans to move all of those toxins out of the place you will be painting (not to mention a good mask)? What size air compressor do you have access to? What will you be using to do all the sanding and wetsanding? are you prepared to spend countless hours sanding?

[jeepdriver54]

I painted a 66 VW Beetle and a 66 VW Bus a couple of years ago.  I put plastic up everywhere, installed exhaust fans and sprayed with a HVLP gun run by a 5 HP compressor.

It worked great!

[wrangler387]

Just make sure your air compressor can keep up with the CFM required by your gun. A lot of 110v compressors typically don't. Remember look at CFM ratings on the compressor (ignore the Peak HP numbers).

[alandchris]

Wrangler387 and all -
i have all the equipment - just inexperienced - but willing to try - If I can find a decent color the 'roller' way - what the heck - I don't know how well the Spray Can method would work in the sense of long term sticking even if I do the prep work correctly

- I bought the jeep to 'work on it' sort of a winter project type thing - I'm not looking to put thousands into this one - it runs very well for 147k on it  - it'll be my toy in the woods vehicle.

[wrangler387]

I recommend doing a single stage paint job then (Base and clear mixed together). Just a simple color though, if you want metallics in the color then i recommend a two stage, and if you want flakes you have to go two stage basically. A good paint job means you are a good sander and prepper, so if you are willing to do all of that work and have the equipment i say spend the couple extra bucks and have yourself a nice paintjob instead of a backyard special. The jeep does not have a lot of body panel to paint so you shouldn't be spending a lot on materials. There are a few good websites to look at, i had links saved on my g/fs laptop (but its not working anymore) Look for autobody and painting forums, the're are a lot of pretty good cheap single stage paint suppliers. Since you don't mind not having the exact jeep color then going this route is what i'd do. If i have some time this weekend i'll see if i can find some write-ups and info on paints and techniques.

[wrangler387]

Search around on this forum:
http://www.autobody101.com/forums/
I know there are a few good threads here involving people experiences with lower priced paints paints (single stage and two stage), what sandpapers to use, what are some good finishing products, along with helpfull hints on tip sizes to use for varies paints/primers and techniques.

[chrisfranklin]

At some point, I was going to pick up a fiberglass or kevlar hood and tailgate.  My factory metal ones are both beat up pretty badly.

From what, I've seen, these come primed.  So, basically, I was just looking to do a single-stage coat of YJ factory black paint on them.  Course, I could go with that one-piece CJ-looking front end they sell, which basically combines hood, fenders and grill in one piece - just I don't like the round headlights, is all  

However, beat-up body panels might make for more care-free off-roading, so I may just leave them in place.

[chrisfranklin]

I saw that Rustoleum was mentioned in this post.  They came out with a Rustoleum "Auto" paint a few years ago: http://www.rustoleum.com/brand.asp?frm_brand_id=37&SBL=1&slid=1.
I don't get the impression that regular Rustoleum hardens very well for use on cars.  Maybe this Rustoleum "Auto" fixes that.

Am not trying to paint the whole Jeep with the stuff, however, my hood could seriously use a new paint job (paint worn to the metal in a couple of spots) - maybe several coats of semi-gloss black or flat black or something and sanding between each coat.  Course, will probably end up with the Rusty black paint looking "fresh" on the hood and the original black paint on the rest of the body and the fenders looking dull, despite my efforts at color/finish matching.    Don't know if they make the "Auto" paint in cans or just spray, either.  Would prefer to roll it on, actually, over a long weekend.  

Then I get in to the fact that my Jeep is outside and Los Angeles has smog, particulates, and tree pollen that are ever-present.  Dunno how I'd manage that without half-assing it -  "Uh Oh, better get Ma... :( "