1940 Ford truck Paint type

[MSmelcer40]

This will be my first automotive paint job. I have sprayed many marine vessels but no cars.My question is do you recommend single step Acrylic enamel or urethane Base coat clear coat.

 

[Lawson Cox]

Single-step acrylic gets my vote hands down. I just don't like base coat clear coat. I've seen too many cars where the clear coat is coming off. "Peeling" off I call it. Besides, why paint it twice? LOL

 

[MSmelcer40]

Lawson,I never thought about the Clear peeling off.I do know that during the resto im going to paint the fenders,bed inside and out, doors inside and out,cececab inside and out,firewall and hood inside and out.thats alot of paint set up to do it twice. I'm hoping the new modern enamels are easier to use for the beginner. Are they durable do you know?

 

[FortyNiner]

First time painter eight years ago, here. Single stage enamel that sprayed easily and still looks great.

 

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Much of the old acrylic is no more I am told and it’s more urethane enamel now but still single stage. Regardless, I just shot my first vehicle with the cheap HF $18 paint gun and paint from TCP global. It’s just paint and hardener, easy to, easy to spray (plenty of you tubes out there talking about the cheap HF gun and how to use it), and although it’s cheap, nearly does the same job as the expensive guns. Also, consider buying the gun stand - its easier to load the gun with paint with it vs without. TCP Global has a wide array of colors, many if not most all the old colors as well as new ones. I am just finishing a 40 pickup and I would say you would need 2 Gallons to be safe. I used flattener in a 1:1 ratio with the paint and I am using up just short of a gallon. This paint does not take any reducer so it’s really all paint, hence the two gallons.

I used an air regulator at the gun along with a little golf ball like water filter to keep out any moisture just before the regulator. Just remember I have added flattener hence the non-shiny finish. Some pics ....

 

[MSmelcer40]

Thanks for the great info and advice.your truck pics are nice.