Author Topic: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour  (Read 83781 times)

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Offline bzr

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I created this thread to document my painting adventures or to possibly serve as a warning on what NOT to do.

I first read about a $50 paint job on this site about a guy who used Rustoleum to paint a Corvair. He used 7 coats and lots of wet sanding, with a result that held up even after a year of daily driving. He got the idea from this Mopar thread where some guy painted a Charger with the same technique...and when I read that Hot Rod Magazine had tried this with a '62 Falcon I knew I had to try it instead of shelling out $400 for a professional paint job.

I've spent too much money on this bike already and this seems like a more hands-on and "creative" way to repaint my bike.

So without further ado...I decided to give this a shot with my front and rear fenders.





Here they are as I was stripping the original coat of nasty flat black rattlecan paint.




Wet sanded the bare metal with 600 grit, smooth as a baby's bottom.




I started with a can of Rustoleum Protective Enamel in Regal Red, then thinned this with mineral spirits. Approx. 50/40 Rustoleum and mineral spirits. The consistency I'm aiming for is "like milk."




I may have added too little thinner, however, as the coat I put on the parts was rather thick.




It runs a little, but I'm going to put on a 2nd coat tomorrow, wait 6-8 hours for that to dry, and then hit it with 600 grit. I'm aiming for 7 or so coats for complete coverage.

Stay tuned...
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Offline Beans

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2009, 12:28:10 AM »
dude  I read the same article and the charger looked sick. I also did this same thing to a jetski I had before I sold it and it looked really good.  u can even wet sand it after a few coats and even do the same thing with a clear coat.    its a cool clean and cheap way to make ur bike or what ever u want to paint look good.  and the color choice u pics will look good.  
« Last Edit: May 31, 2009, 12:29:44 AM by Beans »
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Offline chrislib

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2009, 05:02:15 AM »
It`ll work and look awesome, I want to try this on my beater truck. I did a test piece, an old oven/range hood, and also a section of my garage work bench (to test the durability) both came out nice and the benchtop has held up surprisingly well considering the abuse it takes (I was shooting for chemical resistance, so far so good).  While its kinda labor intensive it produces a nice even shine and good gloss...and ya cant beat the price.
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Offline shizzomynizzo

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #3 on: June 02, 2009, 12:50:26 AM »
I am actually doing this right now, too.  ;D

I was a little skeptical at first, but after the 3rd coat it really looks good.

How's yours coming along ???
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Offline TheHun

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #4 on: June 02, 2009, 08:15:37 AM »
i,ve done the DIY rhinoliner paint job on mine...about 30 dollars in plastikcote rhineliner at walmart and two cans of vht clear for 10 bucks..and some good sanding/body filer on dents....so far it has heldup great
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Offline bzr

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #5 on: June 02, 2009, 07:57:48 PM »
This is what it looks like after wet sanding with 600 grit and banging out a few minor dents (badly).




Just put my 3rd coat on this afternoon, and a 4th coat and more sanding for the next two days. I'm waiting at least 12 hours in between coats.
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Offline MacM2010

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #6 on: June 02, 2009, 11:38:31 PM »
That's looking great.  I was considering a rattle-can job, but I think I might go this route.

Anybody ever tried this on plastic (i.e., side covers)?
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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #7 on: June 03, 2009, 03:06:59 AM »
I've done it on a 2 cars and i haven't wet sanded either, i mix it 3 parts paint and 1 part mineral spirits, then put it in my $15 harbor freight spray gun, and sprayed it, 1 very light coat(tack coat, just to get it sticky) then a light coat to cover, a medium coat, and then a semi thick coat. all about 15-30min apart. and if yo spray it, and do it in a clear environment, you wont have an runs or trash to sand out of it, and its still glossy. dont get me wrong its not a show car finish, but its not bad, especially for about 30bucks(walmart rustoluem by the gallon 22, and 7or 8 for a gal of MS). if you went through hand did a bunch of coats and wet sander and buffed it, you would get a real good looking paint job, like a show car(main reason show car paint looks better is because they wetsand, you can do it on the rustoleum too, tried it on a panel to see) I have using a buffer so I just spray it and leave it. on my cb55 I'm gonna spray it and wet sand it up to like 1000grit and leave it alone, it would be like a flat red, witch I thing would look freaking hott, lol. I might try that on my honda, lol

the bad thing about this paint is its relatively soft, so it easy to chip or scratch off. My next paint job, will be the light tack coat, and a few light coats till the parts are covered evenly, then I'm gonna spend moen and buy automotive clear coat, and hopefully that will be enough to protect it from the sratches and stuff.

Offline Bodain

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #8 on: June 03, 2009, 08:14:54 PM »
Yep. I've done that. Works well if you get the mix exactly right..
This CM 400 was painted with a brush





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Offline bzr

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #9 on: June 03, 2009, 11:12:15 PM »
Holy hell, you've gotta teach me how to get a finish that smooth.  :o
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Offline seaweb11

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #10 on: June 03, 2009, 11:21:12 PM »
Nice to see this site doing what it is intended for.

Very cool information guys ;D

Offline Bodain

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #11 on: June 04, 2009, 04:19:33 AM »
Holy hell, you've gotta teach me how to get a finish that smooth.  :o

Not sure I can. When I first heard about the idea of using Rustoeum and a foam brush to get high gloss finishes like this I was amused. At least to the point where I had to try it. My first attempts looked pretty crappy. It's a trial and error thing.

The mix of ratio of Rustoleum and mineral spirts is absolutely critital. This is the important part. You want to achieve ( self leveling properties of the paint) The paint must flow. If you apply Rustoleum straight from a can using a brush, you will see the brush strokes. This is nothing more than the paint being to thick to FLOW. Your trying to get the consistancy of water. When you mix is right. You can apply the paint with a brush and immediately you will see the brush strokes.Within 15 seconds the paint will self level and the brush strokes will disappear.

The article that talks about this say's to use a small foam roller, then a foam brush...  Personally I found the foam leaves to many air bubbes. The tank I showed a picture of is actually a single coat using a brush.
It's definitley something worth playing with, but I really doubt the Rusoleum has the durability we want.
Also painting horizontal flat surfaces is obviously easier than verticle surfaces where the paint has a tendency to run. I sold that bike shortly after that experiment so I don't really know how it held up.
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Offline shizzomynizzo

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #12 on: June 05, 2009, 11:02:41 PM »
bzr,

I am going to spray the last coat tomorrow sometime after a little more wet sanding. (cheap gun from harbor freight)

Just wondering how it's going for you... If it's coming along like mine, it looks FABULOUS!!!

I used black and am wondering how well the colors look, hope all is well  :D
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Offline luder

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #13 on: June 06, 2009, 05:17:58 PM »
I have a body shop and I find this thread amusing....can be done for sure. light coats at best (them runs would be heck to sand out) maybe take your time and wet sand out with 1200- followed by 1500 (if need be) I think if you have to start with 600 or so grit you would be defeating your purpose(IMOP)- if you have a build up-buff out and ride? luder

Offline kghost

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #14 on: June 06, 2009, 05:39:34 PM »
I have a body shop and I find this thread amusing....can be done for sure. light coats at best (them runs would be heck to sand out) maybe take your time and wet sand out with 1200- followed by 1500 (if need be) I think if you have to start with 600 or so grit you would be defeating your purpose(IMOP)- if you have a build up-buff out and ride? luder

I gotta agree....what a bunch of time you guys will have into that.

Plus its not gonna be as durable as say polyurethane....
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Offline manjisann

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #15 on: June 06, 2009, 07:51:09 PM »
Quote
I gotta agree....what a bunch of time you guys will have into that.

Plus its not gonna be as durable as say polyurethane....

Thats true, but I believe the purpose was to do it with as little specialized equipment and as little money as possible. Polyurethane is pricey (at least the good stuff is.) I think this is an intriguing thread, I hope it holds up well for you guys.

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Offline kghost

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #16 on: June 06, 2009, 09:55:10 PM »
Quote
I gotta agree....what a bunch of time you guys will have into that.

Plus its not gonna be as durable as say polyurethane....

Thats true, but I believe the purpose was to do it with as little specialized equipment and as little money as possible. Polyurethane is pricey (at least the good stuff is.) I think this is an intriguing thread, I hope it holds up well for you guys.

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Offline KeithTurk

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #17 on: June 07, 2009, 04:18:33 AM »
I work with Hot Rod several times a year.... and the Falcon Chris Campbell painted was offered to me as a project car...  Cheap... just couldn't do it... we just bought two other project cars... and still have the Hot Rod Mag. spl.  so it was just to much...

Up close and personal observation... the paint was fine... and if he'd have taken a bit more time it would have been spectacular...

K

Offline bzr

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #18 on: June 09, 2009, 02:36:26 PM »
Thanks for the replies, pretty interesting advice.

I'm in China for the next 3 weeks so this project is on hiatus. Current status, 4 coats, just need to wet sand before the 5th one, and there's some unsightly runs near the ends of the front fender. Might need to thin the paint a bit more and apply more than 6 coats when I sand those out.
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Offline the technological J

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #19 on: June 18, 2009, 06:23:54 PM »
so whats the skinny on a cheap clear coat that might hold up? thin it out also?
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Offline bzr

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #20 on: June 23, 2009, 05:39:36 AM »
so whats the skinny on a cheap clear coat that might hold up? thin it out also?

I have no idea about clear coat. If you're looking to protect the paint, the people that have tried it out say that the Rustoleum holds up surprisingly well even after a year. And besides, it's Rustoleum, touching it up is easy. ;)

This link might help if you're applying some to your project, however: http://video.about.com/autorepair/Applying-a-ClearCoat-Protector.htm
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Offline Blasbo

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #21 on: June 23, 2009, 07:16:39 AM »
I don't think there is a clear brush on for metal, only wood. I am guessing you would use rattle can clear to give it some depth. Then put on clear coat protector.

Offline captaincrash80

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #22 on: June 23, 2009, 09:05:09 AM »
I case anyone's interested I'm also using this method on my current project. Pics are here http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=53482.0 I'm adding pics after each step to chronicle the progress. I ended up going with a 3-1 mixture (3 parts paint, 1 part thinner) applied with a brush. The most recent pics are after coat 4. I plan on having 7 when I'm done.
« Last Edit: June 23, 2009, 09:07:08 AM by captaincrash80 »

Offline bzr

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #23 on: June 29, 2009, 08:45:04 AM »
I'm back!

Wet sanded the 4th coat today. Still had to sand down some paint runs which ended up turning into bare metal - after the 4th coat I think I'm missing something here...





I'll probably need more than the originally recommended 7 coats to cover this up. Thinking of making the 5th coat slightly thicker to compensate.
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Offline bunghole

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Re: The $50 Rustoleum Special paint job - a scientific endeavour
« Reply #24 on: June 29, 2009, 09:25:48 AM »
You might need a skim coat of filler or something to level off any low points.
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