Does anyone know how to paint a car with rattle cans and make it look really nice? I know I will have to sand and primer but is there some sort of clear coat I can put on to make it last a while? I am not sure if I want it shiny or matte. Is there a way to have the matte paint with a clear coat?

 

Don't do it. Problem with rattle can is if you ever wan't to paint that car right some poor fool is going to have to sand all that rattled paint off in order to make the new paint stick. Plus imo it looks like ****.

 

The matte wouldn't really be matte with a clear coat on it.

 

You should try to vinyl wrap you car. It's not permanent but people say it should last several years. This guy did it to his bimmer. Looks pretty good and not all that expensive, just time consuming.

I've been wanting to do this to my honda as the paint is getting worse and I hate that stupid garden hose green color.

 

Use those "grip" attachments for spraying. Those handles that clip onto the top of your spray can... Sand with around 400 grit. Spray using a semi-flat paint, or "matte black". DO NOT USE PRIMER.

Buy like 15 cans--you may have to go to several stores to buy everything. If the weather is less then 70 degrees, or there's any humidity (or if you just want a really nice finish), use a heat gun (you can buy them for around $20, look around, think Harbor Freight) after every small section that you've sprayed. Just go over it at a medium/slow speed and it will "turn" the paint which will help blend the sections and prevent "tiger striping" and other patterns in your finish.

You can also wetsand the entire car after you've finished (wait maybe two days) with the HIGHEST number sand paper you can find. Like, 2500+ preferably. This will remove any rough feel, which you'll get with a flatter black and do a lot to prevent scratches.

I wish I could quickly find pics of my flat-black jobs over the years, but rest assured I've done a few that have turned out very well.

Here's the bike I currently ride:

 

Why not use primer? I thought that would be good. I do have a spray gun handle like you described. I have a belt sander and a vibrating sander with 600 grit paper. I usually Sand, primer, then paint. I figure I will paint it, then put it in my garage.

This is the 1976 Toyota Corolla I plan on buying and painting. Flat black or Shiny yellow. That would be cool to swap in a 12A or a 13B.

 

Primer is desinged to have other paint go over it. It is not desiged to have a smooth even finish, its designed to have other paint bond to it. Final coat paint will look much better.

Listen to Erik, he know more about DIY painting than anyone else on the NW section of this forum.

 

and that paint handle thing erik spoke of can be bought just about anywhere spray paint is sold. usually only like 5-10 bucks.

 

Speaking of DIY painting, have you painted yours yet my bro?? Call me up when you're gonna do it! It's been too long...

 

600 is a little too smooth for pre-sanding IMO--won't bond very well. I use 320 when I spray a lot of coats of NORMAL auto paint--but for thin/flakey/brittle/non-enamel paint (like flat/non-glossy paint) you'd want to use around 400. Too low (like 320) and you'll see scratch marks and too high (like 600) and the paint might flake off.

Primer is SOFT and meant for sanding. It will scratch easy and will not hold up to weather. Generic "flat" paint is kind of like primer in some ways, that's why I suggest a semi-flat black. It'll look wayyy better and will create a harder, more durable surface that will hide flaws better.

 

Yep, I already have one from when I cleaned my Garage after the floods.

 

I actually rattlecanned my FC and I think it came out pretty good considering the circumstances. Took it to a car wash and all the factory white started coming off in sheets. Took it to a Lowe's parking lot at 2 am and did it there. Not the best work that could have been done but much better than white flecked metal...

 

Why in a Lowes parking lot?

 

It was 2 AM and I didn't have an area with significant lighting. Overspray and noise were another concern in my neighborhood. Shari's was also across the street and so I was able to pay my "painters" in pie and coffee.

 

for the amount of money and time you are going to put into doing a rattle can job, just invest in a good respirator, hvlp gun and ppg paint... Take your time, buy the right paper, do it right. Its worth it!

 

Hey Erik, what would you do for a glossy paint? Anything different? Clear coat on top? I may get in touch with you to help me out with mine. It needs paint BAD!

 

I recomend bag sanding rattlecan jobs. they can look decent. its simple just take a small paper bag and use it as the sandpaper before the final coat. its like the finest grit available. did my lancer like that.

 

don't there's to many factors that can go wrong with rattle can paint. My driver door is rattled black and looks like **** due to something that got caught between the last coat it wrinkled in the corner of the door.

 

what ever you do DONT ask nytrate to help rattle can your car thats all i can say.

 

ouch that was low ryan, how is it he's become the butt joke of this forum?

 

might have something to do with the pictures of him painting inside his closed shop without a mask on hah.

 

I'm doing a lot of blocking and filling low spots. Just not a lot of time to do it. I was planning on getting in this weekend and devoting some time. All trim is off and needs to be prepped as well. I will probably buy a rear diffuser before final paint and add that to the MS lip and factory skirts.

I'll hit you up this weekend.

 

Hey!!! Haha. I was drunk most of the times.

Ryan - ur a ***.

 

You could just buy this car....or at least use it for inspiration.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/1889032002.html

 

If your going to spend the time to sand the car and prime it you should consider buying a a paint sprayer that hooks to a air compressor (That is if you have one)
and buy some paint

Believe me it would look better than rattle can and you dont have to buy a bunch of spray piant

this is a option to consider

If you dont know how to use a paint sprayer this might be a good opputunity to learn

Its an option