What to use for exterior paint?

[oz97tj]

I've search and just get waaaay too many hits. What would you all say is the best paint for the exterior of a teardrop?

I was originally planning on using rattle cans as that's what I always use for my metal projects, but now I see some people mention deck paint and rolling it on. This would be much cheaper and quicker so I'm considering it. However, how does it hold up?

For reference, mine will be entirely coated in epoxy and is built for offroad excursions. It will have branches and such rubbing against the sides so I want something tough. However, I don't expect to to last forever either.

[planovet]

I used a trailer paint (Valspar supreme acrylic enamel). You mix it with a hardener and it dries glossy and is durable.

http://www.redneck-trailer.com/2009/I/I7-I10.pdf

[Deryk the Pirate]

Mark Im planning the same thing. They sell it at the Tractor Supply Co. right near where Im buildin my Vardo. Bobhenry mentioned it in a post and he leaves it outside year round and its holding up fine. http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=42127

[caseydog]

It depends on what you want. Mark's (Planovet) has a very nice, smooth finish. It takes time, but is not that difficult. You just have to be patient.

I went for a different look. I wanted a flat, khaki look -- like a tent. I painted my wheels and frame flat black with rattle cans, and rolled on three coats of a flat house paint in a khaki color.

If you want a smooth, glossy look, do what Mark did. It looks really good.

If you will be going offroad and getting lots of scratches, then Mark's finish is going to get messed up, and you may spend a lot of time repainting.

My finish is easy to refresh. Takes about 20 minutes. But, it looks very "rustic."

You have options.Choose the one that best fit your needs.

CD

[oz97tj]

I was actually thinking more of the satin or flat paints. I'll do white or tan to start, but will likely add some sort of graphic later when I have more time.

How well is your rolled on house paint holding up? With my time constraints, I'm thinking quick is the way to go, but I don't want to sacrifice durable paint either. Nor do I want it to look like some hillrods war wagon either with roller marks and such. Can you tell it's rolled?

[oz97tj]

CD, I just went and looked through your thread. I don't see if you mentioned what paint your used. Can you enlighten me?

[caseydog]

CD, I just went and looked through your thread. I don't see if you mentioned what paint your used. Can you enlighten me?

I used a Valspar Premium house paint from Lowe's. My second camping trip was from Dallas to LCG -- four hours of heavy rain. After the gathering, I drove back to Dallas in four more hours of heavy rain. Houses go ten years with the same kind of paint, in all kinds of weather.

I put a fresh coat of paint on every year, although I have not yet done it this year. I plan to do it before the trip to the beach in May. The flat finish gets a bit dirty out on the road, and doesn't wash off with my normal car wash routine. So, when it looks dirty enough, I put another coat of paint on it. I only repaint it to freshen the appearance.

I certainly don't sweat getting a scratch on it. But, that doesn't happen, since I do worry about getting a scratch on my tow vehicle.

The flat house paint works on my build, because the theme is "a tent on wheels." If you want a more finished product, it's probably not the way to go. If you do a lot of serious offroad trails, it may be the way to go. Tree branches would ruin Mark's paint job in a weekend. I would hate to put all that time and effort into a paint job, only to ruin it in one weekend.

CD

[Arne]

cpes sealer, then marine primer and marine deck paint.

Over cheap luan ply... no problems.

[atahoekid]

Not sure where you are, but out here in No NV, there's a company called Kelly Moore, I use their paints through out my house and have been well pleased. I've decided to use a product they have called Dura-Plex on my TD. After a long discussion with their sales people and the store manager, we all agreed that it would work well over a penetrating epoxy sealant. We also agreed that it should be sprayed on, not rolled on. I'm going for a bright, shiny finish (I hope it rivals Planovets). It may involve a lot of work, but I really want a nice looking, water resistant finish.

[kirkman]

If you want durable off road finish why not use a roll on truck bead liner like Herculiner or Duraback. I did mine with Duraback, it's expensive but it's bullet proof. I am sure Herculiner or one of the other roll on bed liners is just as good. I tow mine down all kind of dirt and gravel roads and so far after 5 years no damage just about every thing just bounces off.

[zapj]

Lowes exterior high gloss latex enamel over a good primer. I found through experience that the gloss would wash much better with car soap than a satin paint.

jim

[oz97tj]

If you want durable off road finish why not use a roll on truck bead liner like Herculiner or Duraback. I did mine with Duraback, it's expensive but it's bullet proof. I am sure Herculiner or one of the other roll on bed liners is just as good. I tow mine down all kind of dirt and gravel roads and so far after 5 years no damage just about every thing just bounces off.

How do you clean it? I've seen a few jeeps coated in Herculiner and Line-x and they all end up looking very grungy and you can't really clean them. Durabak is quite a bit smoother though so I'd bet you don't have that problem.




Currently, I'm leaning towards Valspar Duramax exterior paint that I can get at Lowes. It's cheap, and it seems to be very durable. I've done a bit of Googling after people on here mentioned it, and it seems people like it. It's also able to be applied at low temps (down to 35 degrees) which is a huge plus for me right now as well.

[kirkman]

It does get grungy after a few years you are right. Mine was white so it was real hard to keep clean. I used a scrub brush and a good RV rubber roof cleaner conditioner to keep it looking good. I did end up painting mine green last year with a rustoleum all purpose paint just because I wanted a different color and it was cheaper than putting another color durabak on it. If i had it to do over I would have chosen green durabak from the start. It really is indestructible stuff.

[Rlowell]

I used the Latex Enamel from Lowes andthey did me right on matching the colors I needed. I used 3 coats of polly and paint thinner, two coats of sealer from Lowes and three coats of the exterior paint. Everything is sealed real well. See my Album and you will understand what I did.
Good luck on your build!
Rod