Anyone Have Paint / Detailing Questions? Ask Me.
 

Hey guys, I've been painting and restoring cars over the past few years. I have a degree in automotive restoration and refinishing. I see there have been a ton of questions on the cheapest.. easiest.. etc. ways to paint a car. I have also seen questions on preparation and application.

I'm here to help guys, give me a shout i've done most anything so just ask away! :rocking:

Justin H

whats your thoughts on summit racings own brand of paint and then would you patch or replace the panel

ie... door.... rockers are rusted... patch panel or new door that could potentially rust...

I would tell ya that drilling out the spot welds to replace the rocker in an absolute ton of work. If you can make a patch it would be great just watch for heat warpage when welding it in. For paint Sherwin Williams automotive is a much better product for the money. Summits is a rebrand I'm not sure of what I'm sure it's good but Sherwin is higher quality stuff. It's pretty good priced too.

I got one for ya. I build replacement bumpers, guard, head ache racks, ect. Powder coating isn't an option, So i prime and paint them with rustoleum. The finish isn't real durable, whats another option?

For the best result go with a steel etch primer. Upol makes a great aresol version. Upol also makes an awesome bedliner(spray on need compressor) it's some awesome stuff. If you want something incredibly durable there are a variety of products however the best ones will be industrial marine grade paint. You can get many kinds from Sherwin Williams. As far as aerosol goes you won't have much luck but any two part paints will be best. What kind of equipment do you have to paint these?

I have a white fleet truck that looks rather drab what is the process I'd have to go to change the color and is blue, red, or black easier to shoot? thanks man.

Red is most expensive because of toners and had terrible coverage. Black will show all imperfections on the body, especially if the truck is white now. White hides dents and scratches hence why fleet trucks are all white. Blue will be your best bet just make sure the car is sealed with a gray sealer first before you paint or it will take multiple coats.

Allright. I think blue it is. With the 05-07 front end swap I plan on doing, this truck is gonna look great. Does a dark or light blue increase difficulty? How about like a mettalic sparkle in it or something?

The darkness shouldn't matter too much if you go too light you may need a white sealer. Metallics are a whole different animal to paint. It's not terribly hard but it did take me awhile to learn. Metallic is in almost any paint job though.

Oh okay. like I said the truck was an old '99 fleet service truck i got for 1500 bucks all it needs is a CPS but I am gonna do a 05-07 frontend update. Still I don't want something too flashly. It's still gonna be used as a work-truck. Plus it's a 2wd so no super flashy lift either (doesnt bother me I like 2wd truck looks better)

Blue would do just fine with or without a metallic. If no metallic I would lean towards middle to darker blue. Much easier to spray without a metallic. Though lighter colors show less wear And scratches. Whites best for that but I'm sure you want a change of color.

yes, i really do. Any specific brand of materials you recomend?

Is there a product out there that gives your interior plastic parts the shine of Armor All that doesn't attract dirt? :s:

As far as a product goes that you should use I would go with Sherwin Williams, for the money you just cant beat them. I would defiantly shy away from any online companies, I have bought TCP Globals "Restoration Shop" paint and ended up with a ton of fisheye's every time I used it, maybe a bad batch? I don't. Also I wouldnt use paintforcars.com, they screwed me big time and the paint was terrible. DuPont is what I was trained on and it is no better a product as Sherwin Williams, I like SW better infact. PPG is good but spendy, but there will really be no difference between PPG and SW paints.

I would go with either a single stage urethane or a two stage urethane / clear ( best option ).

If you go two stage, I would use a dimension brand base coat and finish 1 clear ( just cant beat the price and quality ).

If you cant find a Sherwin Williams Automotive ( Different than house paint stores ), Napa is just a rebrand of Sherwins paint.

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So for armorall, I do not know of a product that doesn't do the exact same thing. And I know what ya mean, especially if you live near a dirt road ( not even on one ). I have noticed though that armorall after consistent use definitely brittles plastics and dulls them over time. I just shy away from the stuff, then again maybe the newer stuff doesnt do that. But as far as dirt I do not know of a product on the market since they all leave a residue which dust loves to stick too. The other thing too is that armor all may just make it easier to see the dirt, I don't use it and my dash is constantly covered in a film of dust. The blackness of the armor all leaves a huge contrast in color from the dust and makes it more visible. So I dont know that a different "blackening" product will help your case. Just a thought, Justin

allright, I'll check out sherwin williams. This is truck is a lucky one, going form unloved ugly service truck to a loved beauty.

Yep that is what I have been doing just using a swifter duster it seems to work good. I just like the look of the shine that armor-all gives you. Thanks for the reply.

I have a question....
I have an aluminum Herd bumper on my truck. I love the bumper but every year I spend a weekend (yes, two days!) with stainless steel wool and a polish to restore the bumper.
Is there a better, more efficient way to work on this? Am I even doing it right...?? Is painting it an option?
Thanks in advance....

My 97 2500 hood is turning foggy; I think it is the clear coat. What do you suggest?

help much needed
 

I need some help here in this area. My truck has been here in my town its whole life and been used as a farm and ranch truck and has had heavy beatings :argh:. i'll post some more pictures in a couple of days but all the fender corners are effed up and there are dents and dings everywhere. the paint is peeling and the roof is rusted. i need to know what would be the cheapest way to make this look good? is there something besides paint i could do in a black that would not show the dents? i want to just make it look good, it will be half covered in mud half the time but i like how that looks with black. i've seen some kinda dull not shiny black before, is that just primer or could it be powder coating? btw i have a first gen 12v Cummins with a flatbed and one other thing, later on i want to find a way to run stacks up the back side of the cab (regular cab) i wanna try to take how it rounds out in the corner and round it in and fit the pipe like a semi stack would kinda, and put a cover around it too? any suggestions?

Swirl marks....black vehicle. Dealership "detail" department kinda f'd up with the buffer.

Any way to remove them without wetsanding?