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world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


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What paint type should I use to paint my car?

I have a 1974 Dodge van tradesman 100 with an old paint job that I would like to restore. what kind of paint will ensure a nice finish and a long lasting color. I don't want my truck to fade in 5 years.

Mauro Angelini
- Canada
August 4, 2008

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How much do you want to spend, how good do you want it to look, how much work are you willing to do?

There are perfectly good car paints for $150/gallon, and there are spectacular paints for $5000/gallon.

I'd go to a store which sells multiple brands of car paint and ask them. No, you can't get anything worth painting a car with at Wal*Mart.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
August 6, 2008

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How can you pass up a smarteleck answer to this question, Jeffrey?
Mauro, if you painted that van with $150 dollar gal paint, it'd make the van worth $300 dollars! Sorry, I couldn't help myself. :-)
I can't help but think that if you were going to paint the van yourself, you would already know what to use or you shouldn't be trying, so I think you are asking "What should I get it painted with"? No one will guarantee any paint job, even the $5000 dollar a gallon paint job, for over a year if the van is going to see daily use, or if the van is going to be stored outside. Have a reputable shop apply a good, single stage urethane.

Sheldon Taylor
supply chain electronics
Wake Forest, North Carolina
August 9, 2008

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August 14, 2008

Rustoleum
Just thin it down to the consistancy of water and apply.
Several folks have done this with stunning results. If you have a garage and enough time this is the cheapest and longest lasting one you can do.

Marc Banks
Blacksmith - Melbourne, FL

hello I have a 1998 Volkswagon GTI, it has some road rash and paint chips, I don't want anything fancy, just a factory black paint, what type of paint should I get?

Shawn Wanrer
- Litchfield, New Hampshire
April 29, 2010