Painting: Going to go with Rustoleum; welcome your insight

[burlesot]

After a lot of reading and looking and learning, I'm thinking of going with the Rustoleum hammered finish on the 1947 tourette.

Here is my reasoning:

1. It's camping. I'm not showing this teardrop in an auto show; it's going to get dragged around the country; hopefully for as long as I can drive it!

2. I don't like to wax/polish/buff my car; let alone my teardrop. I want to do it as well as I can and then start enjoying it!

3. I've spent so much money on the interior and galley, I can't afford a professional paint job.

4. The imperfections in the 67 year old teardrop (dents, dings, etc) will be partly hidden by the unique hammered metal finish. More so than if I were to polish the body.


Am I off my rocker?

Thanks,
Todd

[les45]

I started to use the hammered silver Rustoleum on my weekender for the same reasons as you, but, after a test piece, I found it very difficult to put on smoothly without showing the roller marks. I ended up using regular Rustoleum and did a lot more filling of the small blemishes to make it look right. If applied properly over a properly prepared surface, you can make the regular paint look like it was sprayed on.
Zach (absolutsnwbrdr) used the hammered Rustoleum on his build and it looked great in his pics. Hopefully he can chime in on this thread or you could send him a PM to see how he did it.

[Todah Tear]

Rustoleum is a fine product. I have only used the spray type and it usually goes on very well if you apply in light layers.

Todah

[Forrest747]

Went with the rustoleum protective enamel. Sunrise red. and flat black. Love it so far.

[Socal Tom]

I used the rustoleum hammered. I used the foam "cabinet" style roller and by carefully watching my technique I didn't have a lot of roller marks ( but it I were a perfectionist I wouldn't be using hammered paint ) . I even mixed in some standard rustoleum to create my own custom color. I touched up a few spots with the equivalent spray paint.
Tom

[burlesot]

Thanks SoCal.

I found the paint on sale for $4 a quart on clearance.

By technique you mean going one way; up and down right?

Starting to paint tonight!

[48Rob]

Todd,

Just a few questions;

Have you trimmed away any excess putty or sealer around doors, windows, vents, etc?
Have you washed the entire trailer with soap and water to remove ALL dirt?
Have you dried the trailer completely?
Have you used a de-waxer?
Have you used a solvent to remove all traces of tar, oil, grease?
Have you sanded or scuffed every inch of the surfaces to be painted?
Have you wiped it down with solvent again after scuffing/sanding?

If you have, your paint has a good chance of adhering and lasting for a long time.

I'm not trying to critical or rude, but you asked for insight.
Applying paint is pretty easy, preparing the surface (properly) is a lot of work that many skip in the excitement leading up to putting the paint on.

Rob

[burlesot]

Rob

Yes.

It turned out quite well

Imperfect, like the painter, but a lot better than the 67 year old naked skin.

Thanks for your tips!

T

[48Rob]

Todd,

Pictures please!

Rob

[Socal Tom]

Thanks SoCal.

I found the paint on sale for $4 a quart on clearance.

By technique you mean going one way; up and down right?

Starting to paint tonight!

Mainly being careful with the pressure. I stuck with up and down in a overlapping pattern. if you push too hard you can see the "seam", but just roll over it to get rid of it.
Tom

[burlesot]

Seem to have some trouble uploading pictures.

I made a couple of short videos and put them on my blog here: http://toddsteardropblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/before-and-after-paint.html

It looks pretty good; not perfect, but better than the raw skin that was there.

T

[48Rob]

Todd,

It looks very nice to me!

You've kept the original color/flavor, and simply made it clean and bright.

Good job.

Rob

[burlesot]

Rob,
Thanks.

I am happy with the overall look. There are a a few areas I may need to sand a little and re-paint. But it does retain the original 'flavor.'

Thanks,
Todd

[shootr]

Well another thank you to the good people that take the time to post pics and ideas!

After watching that video, all I can think about now is finishing my yet-to-be-started teardrop like a WWII fighter plane...

[Socal Tom]

Seem to have some trouble uploading pictures.

I made a couple of short videos and put them on my blog here: http://toddsteardropblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/before-and-after-paint.html

It looks pretty good; not perfect, but better than the raw skin that was there.

T

Looks great to me.
Tom