The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Paint Durability, 20 years later

I want to share this because everyone seems concerned with durability, and rightly so.
In the 80's I restored an old gas pump which dated back to the 30's.
The colors are black and yellow and I shot it with rustoleum, because the paint was cheap and I knew I'd be putting it outside.

I had forgotten it when we were discussing the the durability of a single stage vs base/clear and it doesn't add anything to that debate, but it's an example of paint durability 20 years later.
My B/C paint job is flaking off, my 93 van roof has lost a bunch of paint, and there sits this gas pump, which I walked by this morning, still holding it's paint.

It is dull looking but if I wax it the shine comes back, not that it is a gloss I would want to see on my favorite stovebolt, but it does shine up and the paint isn't flaking off.

Keep in mind this is no endorsement for rustoleum, just the results of a 20 year old paint job which has been outside the entire time.
The gloss is not great but it has done a better job of lasting than the high $ auto paint.
If you're wondering if my truck will have rustoleum on it other than the frame, No it won't,it will not spend the rest of it's life outside.

Dan

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In my opinion, if you want durability, go with singlestage.
What I mean by durability , is scratches, chips & dings.

As far as hold out to weather, both single stage & Base coat are about the same.

The only problem with single stage is it eventualy chalks out & the color fades with age, especially Acrylic enamel.

With the base coat system, the color lasts longer. Some times the clear will peel with age due to the suns ultra violet rays.

The base coat clear coat system was developed to protect the color from acid rain and fading. It is also easier to for repairs, blending into adjacent panels, & spaying metallics.

Rust oleum is a very good durable enamel. it is great for what it was designed for, basically anything that's gonna take a beating.

As far as the finish on a body or a truck cab I would go with either The base coat system or single sage urethane.

Single stage urethane is great for solid colors and has almost the same shine of urethane clear and the durability of Enamel.
It uses the same hardeners & reducers as the clear, depending on what brand you use.

Im seriously considering going with single stage urethane when the time comes to paint my GMC. If not it will be Base/clear

I hear ya Woody, I like em too. This PC is the thing that drives me to the point of wanting to shoot it sometimes.
I'm still trying to figure out how to turn off the flashing letter symbol in "my stuff".

This thing just doesn't talk my language, and everything seems so time consuming and hard to figure out I just give up and walk away before beat the thing to death.

I'd rather twist wrenches or beat a dent out of a fender, at least I know what I'm doing there.

Then my wife had to go and get a new PC which of course operates with a slightly new system.... time to retrain !

All I can say is I'm glad cars and airplanes aren't working with the same, or a bunch of us would be dead on the road or falling from the sky. lol

Dan

What type or brand of wax did you use on the rustoleum/gas pump?

[quote=glasman]I hear ya Woody, I like em too. This PC is the thing that drives me to the point of wanting to shoot it sometimes.
I'm still trying to figure out how to turn off the flashing letter symbol in "my stuff".

Ya might try checking your messages.

.... I believe I'd rather see paint chalking than clear coat peeling off. Nothing looks worst then poor clear coat!
A lot of times the "fancy" or "fad" stuff ain't what its cracked up to be but by the time you find out its to late!

I checked and read the message, the thing still blinks.

The wax I've used over the years, the few times I've done it, has been different but was a paste or liquid wax.
It requires a little elbow grease cause I have to rub the oxidized paint off to bring up a shine.

Dan

Were truer words ever spoken? Thanks.