The $70 paint job

Kinja'd!!! by "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
Published 05/01/2017 at 15:03

Tags: eye of the beholder
STARS: 1


Came across this instructable for a DIY color change using Rustoleum instead of paint, a rather unorthodox approach if I do say so. The poster is so pleased as punch and thinks his car looks so amazing that he wanted to share it with the world. I’m happy that he’s happy. Anyone else think this is an attractive option?

Kinja'd!!!


Replies (35)

Kinja'd!!! "nerd_racing" (nerd189)
05/01/2017 at 15:08, STARS: 1

I’ve seen these come out good and I’ve seen them come out bad. It is all about the prep work and the quality of your coating job.

Kinja'd!!! "Honeybunchesofgoats" (honeybunche0fgoats)
05/01/2017 at 15:08, STARS: 1

I believe they call that “Late-90s Texas Corolla Black.”

Kinja'd!!! "Honeybunchesofgoats" (honeybunche0fgoats)
05/01/2017 at 15:10, STARS: 1

Kinja is still screwed up and won’t let me post pictures, but, uh... he’s either the world’s shittiest parent or the world’s shittiest boyfriend to a very short woman.

Kinja'd!!! "Honeybunchesofgoats" (honeybunche0fgoats)
05/01/2017 at 15:12, STARS: 0

Oh, she’s the author.

That doesn’t change my mind about wanting to have children so I can make them respray my car in a place with questionable ventilation.

Kinja'd!!! "Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)" (bman76-4)
05/01/2017 at 15:12, STARS: 1

No, like all DIY the end product is:

A. immediately garbage (90% of the time)

B. Garbage after a month (5% of the time)

C. Garbage after a year (2.5% of the time)

D. As good as a Chinese knockoff costing slightly more (2.5% of the time)

Kinja'd!!! "itschrome" (itschrome)
05/01/2017 at 15:15, STARS: 1

I mean for a POS project car your just playing around with this is a great option! why not? for like a serious ride, no... but like that honda in the post, sure this works!

Kinja'd!!! "crowmolly" (crowmolly)
05/01/2017 at 15:17, STARS: 2

I’ve seen a bunch of these come out great.

However

I am not sure about the longevity of the paint job itself. Adhesion and fading would be my concerns. But if it’s a shitbox, have at it. Use a roller for extra effect.

Kinja'd!!! "interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
05/01/2017 at 15:17, STARS: 1

This is why I don’t typically associate with other Honda owners. Present company notwithstanding.

Kinja'd!!! "AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC" (addictedtom3s)
05/01/2017 at 15:26, STARS: 4

That’s horrible. Maybe if they wet sanded, clear coated, wet sanded and polished it would look like a budget paint job. But as it sits that looks horrible. Paint, installing windows and tint are three things I would leave to a professional. They cannot be DIYed to the same level. Other things are possible like an engine rebuild but those have manuals to follow. Paint requires high quality tools and a level of skill manuals cannot provide.

Kinja'd!!! "CobraJoe" (cobrajoe)
05/01/2017 at 15:29, STARS: 1

I’ve looked into the rustoleum painting method before. It’s cheap, but labor intensive, and the final appearance is entirely depenant on how much wetsanding and polishing you’re willing to do.

But the results if done right are pretty acceptable. Some people report it still looking good after 6 years, but it apparently can crack instead of bending with the sheet metal under stress.

Comes down to your priorities. If you want it to look good and you have a lot of free time, go for it. If you can afford better paint and better tools, spend the money.

Kinja'd!!! "MonkeePuzzle" (monkeypuzzle)
05/01/2017 at 15:31, STARS: 0

because of this?

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!! "If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
05/01/2017 at 15:32, STARS: 1

I’d rather have a meh-all-over paint job that a nice one with defects. Where there any before pics? Chances are they had clearcoat issues before that were uglier than theDIY job.

Kinja'd!!! "I have another burner, try to guess it!" (ihaveanotherburner)
05/01/2017 at 15:46, STARS: 0

On a beater I’m trying to prevent rust on, sure. Looks no.

Kinja'd!!! "Honeybunchesofgoats" (honeybunche0fgoats)
05/01/2017 at 15:52, STARS: 1

The two below that, but going back up and seeing that one made me realize that 1) this is the person posting the instructions 2) she could kick the shit out of me.

Kinja'd!!! "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
05/01/2017 at 16:01, STARS: 1

There is a reason professionals charge a fortune for a paint job.

Kinja'd!!! "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
05/01/2017 at 16:01, STARS: 1

I think calibrating your expectations is the key here.

Kinja'd!!! "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
05/01/2017 at 16:02, STARS: 1

I would tend to agree. Even had I the time and materials, I still doubt I would be able to do a paint job that would make me happy.

Kinja'd!!! "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
05/01/2017 at 16:04, STARS: 0

The author mentioned using a roller. I think coming out “great” depends on what your goal is. The owner certainly thought it was great, and that’s what counts, I suppose.

Kinja'd!!! "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
05/01/2017 at 16:05, STARS: 0

The disclaimer is important.

Kinja'd!!! "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
05/01/2017 at 16:05, STARS: 0

I think probably. This was likely an improvement over what they started with.

Kinja'd!!! "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
05/01/2017 at 16:06, STARS: 0

As in “parked too close to the oil gusher” black.

Kinja'd!!! "crowmolly" (crowmolly)
05/01/2017 at 16:07, STARS: 1

Yeah, I read it, and while it was great to see the step-by-step stuff there are some safety and procedural things that you could fix for cheap (or free) to get a better end result.

Kinja'd!!! "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
05/01/2017 at 16:08, STARS: 0

Didn’t pay any attention to that. Yeah, perhaps not OSEH approved work conditions.

Kinja'd!!! "Frenchlicker" (frenchlicker)
05/01/2017 at 16:25, STARS: 2

If you want a cheap paint job that is a 50-100 footer go down to a Tractor Supply or Rural King or whatever you have in your chosen region and get some Majic truck and tractor paint. Not the prettiest but not the worst. Plus it’s durable as hell.

Kinja'd!!! "Frenchlicker" (frenchlicker)
05/01/2017 at 16:28, STARS: 0

I honestly want to try the roller method on a cheap classic car. I remember reading about some old drag racer that would do it a certain way and it looked okay. Hot Rod replicated it and it looked decent.

Kinja'd!!! "Tripper" (tripe46)
05/01/2017 at 16:46, STARS: 1

It looks bad, but so does the basic Macco job and that’s upwards of $1k I believe. A $70 paint job suits that particular car well;)

Kinja'd!!! "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
05/01/2017 at 16:53, STARS: 0

The owner thought so.

Kinja'd!!! "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
05/01/2017 at 16:54, STARS: 2

Sometimes keeping the rust away is the primary concern.

Kinja'd!!! "Frenchlicker" (frenchlicker)
05/01/2017 at 17:05, STARS: 1

Hey, it’s basically the same type of paint that was used on model T’s and A’s and everything around that type(maybe a tad healthier). If it’s good enough for them it’s good enough for a beater right?

Kinja'd!!! "TahoeSTi" (tahoesti)
05/01/2017 at 17:41, STARS: 1

I hate to ask...what did it look like before?

Kinja'd!!! "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
05/01/2017 at 19:26, STARS: 0

I wonder that, too. Hopefully not better.

Kinja'd!!! "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
05/01/2017 at 19:26, STARS: 1

Yeah, let’s go with that. :)

Kinja'd!!! "wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
05/01/2017 at 22:43, STARS: 0

Well, it compliments the Altezza lights and dubious body kit quite well. 6/10

Kinja'd!!! "Justino6969" (justino6969)
05/02/2017 at 13:11, STARS: 2

My dad used to be the Director of Engineering at a Yenkin Majestic Paint plant, who makes Majic. It really is some decent paint. One of the few brands I know of that you can actually get John Deere green and yellow.

Kinja'd!!! "Frenchlicker" (frenchlicker)
05/02/2017 at 13:28, STARS: 1

From what I’ve found they have the truest colors in that type of paint. I’ve personally used it and have always had good results. As far as spray paint goes they also have some of the most durable kind.