Paint and method recommendation

Looks like we may be signing papers for the new house on Halloween. BEFORE the garage accumulates all my junk I would like to paint the wagon. For anyone who is not in contact with me on a daily basis the plan was to do all the body work and stuff on the wagon FIRST as practice and to figure out do's and dont's before I get into any serious modifications on the Cadillac.

I would like to spray the wagon with a satin black job to practice for the caddy's end result. I will probably go gloss later on but for now I wanna shoot satin.

What do you guys use for paint (for use in a spray gun) and where do I buy? An addative's? Thinner? Accelerator?
What kinda gun? Anything to avoid? Any special attachments to the air compressor?

Do you have to lay down primer first for satin paint? Etc etc

Thanks In advance.

I was wondering all the same questions, hopefully billy Mac or Crovo will chime in since they're the satin experts

Well, I'm partial to Rustoleum satin black, or semi-gloss black in the quart cans. I thin it with acetone (NOT ODORLESS!) til it looks "about right" to shoot. Shoot it through a cheap Harbor Freight gun at whatever the recommended PSI was for it. You really can't phuck it up. Lay it on thick or thin, and it just levels itself out. I LOVE that stuff!

You don't even need good prep. The shit sticks to EVERYTHING! Dirt, oil, grease... Whatever. I usually scuff it with a scotch bright, wipe it down with some prep all and a lint free(ish) cloth, and go to town.

Good luck!

(It'll take you longer to mask the damn thing than it will to paint it and wait for it to dry!)

Any specific place to pick it up for a good deal? How many quarts you think for the wagon? And how many coats would you do?
This really sounds like it's gonna happen soon ! You just made my year!!!!!

OK wait a minute....... You frankenstein a wagon with no help or anybody's 2 cents but you need help figuring out paint? .....

.... BOY.... you alright in the head?



Do a google search for an Auto Body Paint supply store in your area. Fisher Auto parts????.... In NH we have a chain called Robbins that you walk in and everything is there, paint, reducer, hardener, etc etc,.... The guys at these places love stupid projects, 90% of time I leave with free stuff and discounts.


Buy a cheap gun from Harbor freight, $10 .... if you dont wanna clean it, just throw it away after



You can buy most of this stuff at home depot or wally world too...... but you get what you pay for....


paint?...... for what your plotting, go with the rusto to try it out and get a feel for it, but any 2 stage automotive paint will have a flat look unless you clear coat it..... If there is more flake in the first stage it will have little satin look but not much.


when you mix, you want consistency, you change the recipe when refilling the gun you will notice it when it dries!!!


And use a harder,( recommend a med. harder ) this time of year , you will never get the paint to properly cure without a booth.....

ohhh.... and tac rags with pre cleaner ( dust sucks )

But with all that being said , The only real way to figure out what works for you is, to go at it like you did the 1/4 panels

Thanks Chris. And I'll take the Frankenstein with no help as a compliment

I'll see what I can dig up. Any pics of what the can would look like at home depot? Just the plain white can ones?
I want a super smooth satin. I want the car to be black cream.
If I wanted to step it up a bit what would be a mid grade paint you'd recommend?
I'm still gonna shoot rustoleum on the wagon.
Can I add a flat gloss over satin without losing any shine?

I usually do it in one coat. Takes forever to dry... But it will be smooth. Take your time, keep the gun the same distance from the panel through your whole arc. Don't clear it, don't do anything but shoot it. If this is your first attempt and practice run, shoot it once the easy way to see how it turns out. If you want to do the next one different, you'll at least know where you're starting point is for adjustments. ;-)

I get it at walmart for like 7 bucks a quart. 2 quarts shoukd be more than enough.

Do it, and have fun! And let me know what day you plan to do it. I'd like to shoot the monte, but don't have a place or tools to do it. Maybe we can have a twofer day.

toomanytoyz wrote:

Maybe we can have a twofer day.

how about a three way, theres a few things I wanted to try .....

Satin and matte black are very mix and tempeture sensitive. I've done sem hot rod black numerous times and it is not easy.first coat just get a solid even coat. Second coat is important. 50percent overlap the whole car then a dust coat before the entire car flash drys.

That the second time I've heard someone mention SEM hot rod paint today. I think it's an omen!

How about DuPont Imron 2.1 HG paint? It's a polyurethane paint, is this stuff any good to paint a car with?