Started painting the taurus skirts (roller paint)

[jex]

Well I decided to take the plunge and begin experimenting with the roller paint job (as quite a few others have done recently). I had a set of taurus skirts that needed paint, so I figured I'd start on them since they were cheap...and I couldnt really mess them up. After applying the first coat, I would like to reinforce that A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY! I didnt think I had much on the roller, but when I started applying the paint, I noticed I had almost complete coverage and I got a bad texture. I plan to wetsand it smooth and applying the 2nd THIN coat....

Also, I used the Rustoleum Professional because that is all they had at home depot. I decided to go silver (aluminum). After seeing the first coat, I am confident that this CAN turn into a nice paintjob. The pics really show the flaws. It looks better in person, and it will look a ton better after wetsanding, more coats, and polishing.





Once I get the technique down, I plan on doing my whole car. My paint is in pretty good shape, but the idea of being able to touch it up any time I need to is very appealing! I also will have plenty of time to spend so I should be able to get it looking good.

(Thanks to all the others for trying this first)

[tjts1]

Did you do any prep work on the surface of the skirts before painting like sanding and/or primer? Also are you applying the paint as is from the can or mixed with mineral spirits?

Good luck with the paint job.

[jex]

I did prep the skirts. I sanded with 220, then used high build primer, then sanded with 400 and used a sealer primer.

The paint was quite thin straight out of the can, but I still mixed ~25-30% mineral spirits. It was just a little thicker than whole milk.

[jex]

Well...Looks like I will be trying another color. I didnt think about it before, but there appears to be some metallic in this paint. When I wetsanded, I got a dark gooey mess and it basically looked like crap. I thinned the paint some more and applied a second coat. It definitely laid smoother than the first coat, but I also didnt think the paint was as glossy as it should have been...so I am going to try a color that has the word "gloss" in the name! (although I'd like white to be a last resort).

[td325ic]

I've been reading the moparts thread for awhile and they concluded the rustoleum aluminum paint won't work with this process, as you have discovered. But don't give up, try another color and I'll think you'll do good.

[jex]

Thx for the info....it is good to know I wasnt just doing it all wrong.

I've read a lot of the moparts thread....but I skipped around a lot and must have missed that part.

[moonsspoon]

I think once you buff it is when you get the shine. Sanding it will make it look completely dull. But as far as I know, once you start polishing and buffing with a orbital buffer, it should shine up real nice.

[Garageaholic]

yeah, sanding it down will dull it out, but then sand it with 1500, 2000, then polish and wax it should be ok.

I never experimented with metallic paint. Unfortunately i'm sorry it didn't work out and you learned the hard way.

Another concern, how well does the color match your car?!?what do you have, sterling silver?

[jex]

I was planning on doing the whole car. But the aluminum definitely does not work. I experimented with some white to make sure I wasnt screwing up the process....It turned out great. Nice and shiny and smooooooth.

Now to decide exactly what color I want...

[Garageaholic]

make sure it's a gloss color. Not too many colors to choose from. If i were to do it again in the amount of detail i did it.. i would choose hunter green and really buff the hell out of it to maximize it's shine. but i'm happy with white, shows the least amount of imperfections..

Note to self: do not do metallic flake colors.

Thanks jex

[jex]

Update: So far I have 2 coats, wetsanded with 600, and put a 3rd coat on. It is looking good!

[gearheadE30]

Looks good, is your car alpinewiess? If so, how well does this paint match? I'm going to do the same thing soon, I have a set of skirts in the basement. The only place I could find the right color was www.paintscratch.com. They also have spray cans, though...

[jex]

My car is currently a very dark blue. One thing is for sure, this is a very pure white color. I've decided to experiment with a different paint as well. If this paint doesnt work as well, I'll probably use the Interlux brightside.

http://www.topsecretcoatings.com/ts-100_1-part_epoxy_4849812.htm

I'll let you know how it goes!