The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop flat black paint

Has anyone had any success with using spray can flat black to paint their trucks. I have a great looking 1951 truck all original and now doing a 52 five window i want to give ratrod look.I dont want to spend a lot on a flat black paint job.
thanks , Paul

I've done two fenders so far. I primed with a spray can and used Tremclad Flat Black. So far so good because I don't care how well it works. If I was concerned it would probably peel off.
It does show the paw prints of my cat when she decides to walk all over it.

Warning Wanring! Rantanchorous reply approaching Will Robinson!!!

I get the need to be a RatRodder is strong within the Force especially in the LAtatoui system... but I'm still waiting to see one I like.
So what's the definition of successful?
No Tiger stripes?
The paint didn't turn to dust after 3 years?
Unless you clear coat it (there goes the 'inexpensive' rat look) your just putting cheap lipstick on a rusting _____ cause that rustoleum is really just a tight fitting sponge...

The look I understand but the method.... not so much.
for consideration:
24 12oz rustbombs from grainers = $145.00 (Guaranteed to fail in less than ten years)
1.25gal rts Southern Polyurethanes Inc Flat Black = 180.00 (shipped to your door for free) Made to last and look the same in ten years...

we now return control of your(click)

Like Caso says not much savings in rattle cans and a promise of a sore finger and less chance of a decent job when done. I'd be buying a stock black and adding a flattening additive to control the amount of flatness I want to achieve. Oh, and catalyst too, it will dry and stick better along with durability.

if you want cheap and easy, brush it on, last longer than rattle can spraying .... and of course an epoxy primer would be best

Bill

thanks for the comments and humor. Once i get going I will send progress and pictures. Probably wait until it warms up a bit here to paint. I plan on painting in pieces and putting back together gradually as I go along it wont be painted in one shot.
Paul

Yes, you can use spray cans, but NOT Tremclad. Use John Deere Blitz Black. It's available in spray cans or can be purchased in gallons or pints too. It's super durable, doesn't chalk out or stain, and looks great with a slight sheen. It's what they use on the chassis of tractors, and it's very popular up here.

Just make sure whatever you spray has UV inhibitors, otherwise the paint will turn chalky in a few months....

thanks. I have used duplicolor flat black on my 1977 stepside front grille trim and headlight trim and the front bumper. this has retained color well so far and is easy to touch up if needed. i will check out the john deere paint .

I wouldn't use rattle cans! You can take base coat black and put a matte clear coat on it. We sale it at napa. Also there are pre mixed cans of laquer, yes laquer at the store and there is a matte clear in that also.

I went to the Charlotte auto fair this weekend and saw a lot of so called rat rods. The flat black is very popular and I talked with several truck owners who spent big bucks on a flat black paint job. I did not really like any of them. The one I thought looked the best and had the look I liked was a spray can job that had turned chalky it was more of a charcoal gray. Wish I had taken a camera
Paul

Paul,I like you was trying to save a few bucks on my paint job so considered rattle canning it,like the guys say it might not last,time will tell but on the whole i'm pretty happy with the results.
Sure it doesn't stand too close attention (it's a 20' paint job) but it'll do me for now.
Total invested approx $120 plus my own time.

Rattle can paint job.
Another angle.

If you have a spray gun, an alternative would be to use Duplicolor Paint Shop Black, then topcoat it with their Matte finish clear. They run about $25 a quart at Advance Auto and O'Reilly, and Advance Auto tends to run "buy one, get one 1/2 off" sales on it from time to time.

Southern Poly Urethane's sells gals of Flat Black @ 149/g.
mixed 4:1, 6:1, 8:1 to reach the level of flat desired.
Their clears compete all day with the top brands and for another 50 bucks over 100/gal paints isn't even in the same league as rattle cans (or their makers).

Now I gotta go wax my board. Waves are up (cause I use such a s^!#y gun) Gotta go knock em down.

ok starting to lean towards spraying, any suggestions for compressor size and brand of spray gun and nozzle size. i can get painted for 650.00 plus paint by out of work nascar body shop guys.

If you've got outa work NASCAR guys, don't worry compressor and paint guns.
That's what your paying them the $ for.
THEY do it...

otherwise you need a 5h 80g and either a 3 or 4+ hundred dollar gun (or as in my case a 40 dollar HF POS, a noticeably larger amount paint than if you have a good gun, and extra sand paper (320 - 600) to cut the peel and get you to) 1+K grits where the good gun would have you starting

The compressor and sprayer are just part of it. You need a good water separator and filter system as well.

ok, going to pay for paint job I have someone coming by this week to give me an estimate