Any regrets on using Rust-Oleum products in your restoration?

[duffontap]

I'm stuck between just using Rust-Oleum Professional at $28 per gallon, or jumping way up to a catalyzed automotive paint at $200+ per gallon. Most of my painting experience has been with acrylic enamels from Napa, but I haven't been super impressed with the longevity.

I've seen a lot of MUD members mention Rust-Oleum paint jobs and I'm wondering how people feel about them after the initial excitement over the price and convenience wears off?

Feedback would be very much appreciated.

 

[ingomar]

I have only used it on interiors. It is reasonably durable, but slow-drying and it takes awhile to harden. It is an oil-based product, and won't like being top-coated later with most "automotive" paints (they will lift and wrinkle the Rustoleum). So once it's on there, you can't easily go back.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

Rustoleum is best for trail rigs and trailers that get scratched up a lot, because you can retouch them cheap. And it ain't an expensive paint job in the first place.

But as pointed out, it is not a good base for other paint. Once you use Rustoleum, you're committed to it.

I painted my first truck, a 1952 International pickup, with black and blue Rustoleum. Looked OK. Nothing to write home about.

 

[Fast Eddy]

I like it, but it's really soft and scratches easy. What you're getting for $200 is paint that hardens and will resist scratching. I wouldn't do a whole rig in rusto professional. It would be great to cover over por15 on your frame.

 

[cjgoode]

I would avoid it if possible, like said above it is oil based and from what I have read a nightmare to 100% remove to if you want to put some real paint in it. The oil or what ever that gets left behind can cause problems.

 

[duffontap]

Thanks a million for the help guys. I will remove it from my list of possible paints.

So now I'm leaning back toward just going to Napa for some acrylic enamel. I've sprayed about five projects with it so far and I do like how it hardens up fast and resists scratching.

BTW, I'm using Master Series Silver directly on the steel; cjgoode has made another convert.

 

[antFJ]

if you are using a 2 part paint.. then it doesn't compare..

but rustoleom beats any other spray can paint i've used. the professional gloss black is really nice - (although it seems like it takes at least a week or two to harden) - it cleans very easily on my axles/springs.

I used the red primer also on my axles and I love that stuff - dries fast and covers nicely. Once again a good epoxy primer would be ideal.

After 3+ years i have no chipping, peeling, fading or from my axles/springs... but I do have some peeling on my powder coated frame.

 

[ken_79-fj40]

If you're looking for decent and cheap I would look into the paint summit racing now sells. Which I believe is nothing more than rebadged Kirker brand paint. Most colors are around $125 for a gallon of paint, reducer, and activator. It's a urethane enamel. I just bought some of their epoxy primer and a quart of red for my Capri project. I haven't used it yet but I've seen lots of photos of cars painted with the stuff that looked great. Napa's fleet colors are pretty cheap too. Or at least they were. I used their crossfire urethane to paint my cruiser about 8 years ago now and it still looks great. Back then I think it was about $150 for color, reducer, and activator.

 

[Splangy]

I recommend a decent acrylic urethane paint. All that I have used have been easy to shoot and you'll get top-quality results. If you're on a budget, try PPG's Omni line. You'll get quality results at a cheap price.

 

[duffontap]

If you're looking for decent and cheap I would look into the paint summit racing now sells. Which I believe is nothing more than rebadged Kirker brand paint. Most colors are around $125 for a gallon of paint, reducer, and activator. It's a urethane enamel. I just bought some of their epoxy primer and a quart of red for my Capri project. I haven't used it yet but I've seen lots of photos of cars painted with the stuff that looked great. Napa's fleet colors are pretty cheap too. Or at least they were. I used their crossfire urethane to paint my cruiser about 8 years ago now and it still looks great. Back then I think it was about $150 for color, reducer, and activator.

Thanks for the info. I went to Napa today and priced two systems: basic acrylic enamel starts at $235 a gallon, and two-stage urethane paints start at $270 (including clear coat). I have shot about 5 projects with acrylic enamel and the results were ok but not spectacular. The guy behind the counter said the two-stage system was 'a ton more durable.' Well, a ton more durable for $35 more sounds good to me.

As an aside, a paint job paid for my FJ40. A few years ago a friend gave me a Beetle because he hated it so much. I painted it with a gallon of Napa fleet paint (see pic). Sold it for enough to buy my current FJ40. You talk about an upgrade!

 

[ken_79-fj40]

What I used was Napa Crossfire acrylic urethane in a fleet color. I think they call it regal red or something. The color was less than $100 a gallon, but I did get it 8 years ago. My truck is garaged and it honestly doesn't get driven much or wheeled too hard but the paint still looks great. The bodywork under it well.... I'll get to redoing that someday.