Roll on not for me

I finally decided to try to make my Tbird look presentable, meaning all one color with a little shine to it, by no means perfect. Being black and not wanting to do a color change or flat, there was no way in Haiti’s it would come out perfect anyway. I had no ambition to do any bodywork either, even though there are plenty of dings. Since I’m out of work and broke it had to be on the cheap, so I read up on the rustoleum roller job and started the adventure.

Prepping was easy enough, just a wash – sand – wash – dry. After figuring out what parts couldn’t look any worse with paint on them, it was taped and ready. The first and second coats went ok and then got a wet sand and a third coat. On the 4th coat it went to crap. The trunk and roof were apparently not dry enough and wrinkled terribly. The next day was spent getting the wrinkle sanded back and re-prepping. 5 days work in the crapper! Rolling paint on a car is just not going to work for me. What to do now?

Last year while employed I got a spray gun from Eastwood on sale, but I was still intimidated about shooting a car. Well I pulled up my socks, covered everything in the garage, re-taped the car, mixed up the rusto, and got to shooting. The paint looks fairly decent with a little orange peel. The fact that no bodywork was done is very clear. Every dimple and ding is now exaggerated. Also, I used 400 to get the wrinkle off and figured the paint would cover the sanding scratches, but it did not and looks like crap.

I think I got exactly what I paid for, plus some experience. I shot it on 5/20 and think it needs at least 2 weeks or more before wet sanding and buffing. I’m going to wait til after buffing to put it back together. While the lights were out they were treated to a disassembly and buffed. I also pulled and painted the trim around the windshield.

Took these picks a few minutes ago and the car is quite dusty.
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa216...0_0072.jpg
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa216...0_0071.jpg

I think you are being hard on yourself. Wait till after you wet sand and buff it. It could be night and day from what it is now. Thats how mine was at first. so many people asked me if I had it painted in TJ Mexico After a nice colorsand and buff she looked pretty dang good.

Hope the same for yours

Thanks Chip.
It's no bull on the dings and scratches. Other than that I am extremely happy with it, especially being my first go at painting a car. Hope to get it cleaned up and have better pics tomorrow evening.

Nice! what you did is exactly what my car needs. Nice to hear someone with the same thoughts. I want to start sanding soon, after some more tuning.

I think it looks pretty good - Nice job!

crappy new pics!
I should have looked at them before putting the car back in the garage. One is of the scratches on the trunk.

i think it looks good, better then surface rust and peeling clearcoat.

its all go and no show! but looks good!

Doesnt look THAT bad Doug! Its all one color, no clear coat peel,no rust pocs,no 2-3 shades of the same color. Wet sanding should take most of the scratches out and buffing will help too. Ck out mine under "mods-dont flame me". Looks better when wet!LOL! I'll get around to paint someday.

Thanks guys. Since it's getting all spiffy, I pulled the headliner and visors and re did them too. Trying to get the interior cleaned up today. I haven't fooled with thing much since 2007 and it's pretty much a mess.

Hey Doug, I think it looks good. How you going to do the hard to reach places (hood scoops, and the recesses on the front lower valence)?