The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Painting my '51 half ton's running boards - Help

Ok, so I removed the running boards from a '51 Chevy half ton I recently purchased. They are currently painted red, the same color as the truck. I want to paint them black.

I've got a couple of local body/paint shops I can take them to, but I was actually considering painting them myself in my garage. I don't have a paint gun or any specialized equipment. I do however have a steady hand and access to several Auto Zones and Pep Boys car parts stores.

Would you guys think I'm nuts if I was to prep those running boards and then paint them myself with a gloss black rustoleum or other similar spray can paint? Any downside to this? Anyone out there try this at home??? I'm not against spending the money to have them painted professionally (the truck is very well restored), but it sounds like a fun project.

Any thoughts, recommendations, suggestions?
Thanks,
Marc

I'm not an expert on this, only my limited experience and opinion. I believe a rattle can job can look decent, but it seems to be difficult to get a consistent sheen with a gloss paint across an extended surface. Also, I think the "wear-ability" of the rattle can paint is less than a regular paint job. I know the few paint jobs I have done, all the paints have a hardener component (clear-coat). For me, I wanted to learn how to paint. So I went through several paint systems (HVLP - turbine, HVLP-compressor, and plain compressor gun). Not because I wanted to, but eventually the normal gun driven by a compressor worked best for me (orange peel issues). I found it very frustrating, but rewarding when I finally got it to work. Again, I'm not an expert, but a least I learned something and feel I could do a decent job on my next project. It seems like running boards would be a perfect project to learn on if you are so inclined. I think you would end up with a better job and an enhanced skill set.

I have done quite a bit of painting with rattle cans, the secret I found was after one has applied the color coat and while it is still tacky apply a coat of clear enamel.
I did this to my running boards and they have held up quite well.
The important thing to remember, do not apply too much paint, numerous coats, then the clear.

I had mine painted by a shop, but gasoline ate up the finish on the passenger side. I re-sprayed it with a rattle can, and you can't tell the difference.

I would paint them yourself but move up a notch and look at KBS. The stuff is amazingly tough and easily brushed on. Use two or more thin coats. Use gloves and plan on tossing brushes after each coat. They cannot be cleaned. They also sell mini one-time use spray guns that might be a good choice. Check them out at KPB-coatings.com. Take care to UV proof.
Good luck, Bob

Gents - I greatly appreciate the input. I'll tackle the project and follow the recommendations.
Thanks,
Marc

if you want to paint yourself, i would suggest going down and getting a low price gravity feed paint sprayer. the set i got was under 80 bucks and it works like a dream. then you don't have to worry about streak lines or splatter from a rattle can. and if you want something that will last longer than your truck has i would go with a similar product that you use as a spray in box liner

If you have a truck that is very well restored, why would you consider the poor quality out of a spray can. The job will look good as far as when you spray it, but it won't last. Consider the weather elements, and the fact that they are running boards. Don't go cheap, as they are attached to other parts of your truck and you will pay the price for being cheap. You might consider powder coating them. Coat them with POR-15 on the underside and spend the money on the top side. If you go cheap, you will regret it.

Bed liner. Tough stuff, looks good.

I've painted two sets of running boards with black rattle-can and I can tell you that it holds up pretty well. I put at least two coats and 3 if I could. Also, I went with satin instead of high gloss. My '50 is still pretty original and I didn't want the running boards to look new. Whenever I get a significant scratch I simply shoot a new coat over it and it looks good again, but I don't have to do that very often.

Don't be afraid of high quality rattle can paint. It's good stuff and no, you won't regret using it.