I'm finally at the stage where I can work on the appearance. I was going to take it to Maaco and let the do it, but after visiting our local Maaco and seeing the low hanging fruit that works there...uhmmmm...nope, y'all are not touching my Cruiser. Years ago I painted my rock buggy with spray paint and it held up decently well, so I figured why not try it again and see what happens.
Talked with a friend who works at our local Toyota dealership and he put me in touch with their head bodyman/painter. After picking his brain, I went home and planned out what I would need and the process to get the prep work done and ready for paint. Cowl and gas filler door removed and these were my test pieces. Sanded it down with 320 grit and wiped the parts down with denatured alcohol. Two coats of Rustoleum Flat Tan and two coats of Rustoleum Matte Clear Coat. Let it sit for 48 hours and then did an adhesion test and drug some branches across the paint to see how it held up. It held up nicely so I moved towards the rest of the vehicle. Pulled all of the window belts off and these will be replaced with new ones. Sanded the entire truck with 320 grit. Ground smooth the 26 holes (flares removed) that were filled with weld and then hit a coat of primer to cover the bare metal. I still need to have the windshield removed and the back hatch glass removed so I can sand these areas and then have both pieces of glass reinstalled with new seals when the paint is finished.
Decided to black out the front grill and the chrome trim pieces around the lights. I used Rusoleum Canyon Black and the put two coats of the Matte Clear over it. I like the way they turned out.
Roof rack was removed and the holes filled with JB Weld stick, ground down smooth and the top will be getting covered with Tan Raptor liner. I will also do the cargo area with Black Raptor Liner. I will keep this thread updated as I continue to make progress. I anticipate getting the paint/clear coat down this upcoming weekend.
Talked with a friend who works at our local Toyota dealership and he put me in touch with their head bodyman/painter. After picking his brain, I went home and planned out what I would need and the process to get the prep work done and ready for paint. Cowl and gas filler door removed and these were my test pieces. Sanded it down with 320 grit and wiped the parts down with denatured alcohol. Two coats of Rustoleum Flat Tan and two coats of Rustoleum Matte Clear Coat. Let it sit for 48 hours and then did an adhesion test and drug some branches across the paint to see how it held up. It held up nicely so I moved towards the rest of the vehicle. Pulled all of the window belts off and these will be replaced with new ones. Sanded the entire truck with 320 grit. Ground smooth the 26 holes (flares removed) that were filled with weld and then hit a coat of primer to cover the bare metal. I still need to have the windshield removed and the back hatch glass removed so I can sand these areas and then have both pieces of glass reinstalled with new seals when the paint is finished.
Decided to black out the front grill and the chrome trim pieces around the lights. I used Rusoleum Canyon Black and the put two coats of the Matte Clear over it. I like the way they turned out.
Roof rack was removed and the holes filled with JB Weld stick, ground down smooth and the top will be getting covered with Tan Raptor liner. I will also do the cargo area with Black Raptor Liner. I will keep this thread updated as I continue to make progress. I anticipate getting the paint/clear coat down this upcoming weekend.
