Paint dilemma- Alpine White II

[craiggroves91]

Hey so I am working on painting my engine bay. It is pretty much all primed right now and I'm pretty much ready for paint after a little more prep.

Anyways I am probably just going to use spray cans. I looked into color matched spray cans and these run about $25 a pop for just a BASECOAT. Then I need a clear, which I hear you really cant get a good clear in a spray can.

Also, my car is outside so the dust will make it tough to paint a clear and all that jazz.

I also have a air compressor and gun I could use, but I would have to make some sort of plastic room to paint in, which wouldn't be too hard.

So then I thought about just getting normal spray can white from Rustoleum or someone. I know this wont be a perfect match, but it should be easiest.

I have a tight budget.

I guess the question is what should I do?

Is there any good sturdy spray cans that are close to alpine white II ?

Here is my bay now.


Thanks
-Craig

[RCM3]

I did my front bumper, valence, and lip in this paint from the local auto parts store:
Dover/Arctic White by Duplicolor - part# BGM0138

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/1/1/583341--dover-arctic-white-by-duplicolor-part-bgm0138.html

I dont know if this pic gives you any reference to how my re-paint came out but here ya go:

I think its very slightly "creamier" than our AWII paint, but I used a brighter white primer and sprayed 2 coats of the dover/arctic paint over it and its very close in color I think.

[craiggroves91]

I did my front bumper, valence, and lip in this paint from the local auto parts store:
Dover/Arctic White by Duplicolor - part# BGM0138

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/1/1/583341--dover-arctic-white-by-duplicolor-part-bgm0138.html

I dont know if this pic gives you any reference to how my re-paint came out but here ya go:

Looks pretty good!
If you could, maybe take an up close picture trying to compare the bumper and valence to factory painted parts?

[RCM3]

Ill take a few tomorrow, all the shots I have dont show the re-painted areas well, something is always in a shadow or over exposed.

[craiggroves91]

Ill take a few tomorrow, all the shots I have dont show the re-painted areas well, something is always in a shadow or over exposed.

Thanks man!

[RCM3]

Hey all I could get were some iPhone shots on my way out to class. If you need them ASAP I can email them. I'll post them up at 530 also when I'm back home.

[craiggroves91]

Hey all I could get we're some iPhone shots on my way out to class. If you need them ASAP I can email them. I'll post them up at 530 also when I'm back home.

No rush really. I can wait!
Thanks for taking em!

[RCM3]

It wasn't a bright sunny day out but here is the repainted bumper against the factory AWII fender. I didn't use a clear coat when I did these, I think it would look even closer if you did a coat or two of clear.

[craiggroves91]

It wasn't a bright sunny day out but here is the repainted bumper against the factory AWII fender. I didn't use a clear coat when I did these, I think it would look even closer if you did a coat or two of clear.

Dang that is pretty close. I'll keep that into consideration.
Is that paint a basecoat? or is it gloss
Thanks again.

[RCM3]

The paint is a gloss, its shiny, but lacks the depth that the factory paint has. It has also held up well to rock chips, the sun, pressure washing my car, and the raccoon I hit a few months ago that broke my foglamp.

[craiggroves91]

The paint is a gloss, its shiny, but lacks the depth that the factory paint has. It has also held up well to rock chips, the sun, pressure washing my car, and the raccoon I hit a few months ago that broke my foglamp.

I see I see. Yeah the factory paint is pretty thick.
I haven't really heard of any good spray can clears.

[masduro]

I sprayed my engine bay and my car out side, with a legit paint gun and compressor. It can be done, wet the floor to avoid kicking up dust. Get a good water separator and attach it directly to your gun. Also use a new tack cloth to wipe the car down before you spray. And don't stress if any little bugs or lint falls in the clear, cause you can just buff it out when it's dry. If you use some garbage spray cans and/or clear...you can't really fix it.

I hope that helps.

[///digitalme]

i tried duplicolor when i got in an accident to paint both front fenders, and bumper and valance..and it was completely off but a mix of polar and artic white matches alpine2 better, i mixed a little to do a small section i was rear ended, ill take a picture tomorrow...also theres a white primer i used a while ago to paint a valance that matched better but i cant seem to remember which of the many primers it was :(


this was primer on the valance, before the accident

[brianao34]

Any updates?

[Gregs///M]

Go buy yourself a used or cheap HVLP spray gun from Harbor Freight or something. These guns with your air compressor (will need water filter) will lay the clear coat down much thicker and even than any aerosol can will do.

This is the more expensive way because you will have to buy and mix your own clear coat and activator but at least you wont have clear coat failure a year afterward. Since you have your motor and all wiring out, wouldn't you rather do it right knowing the clear will last another 20 years?