My first DIY garage paint job. 2007 CRV — Mixed custom color, Rustoleum enamel w/auto hardener. 2K clear coat. $20 Harbor Freight HVLP spray gun. Total cost: $275. Gonna wet sand and buff soon.
Posted by WowFrog487@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 91 comments
Low_Fisherman2298@reddit
I would love to see more pics I was thinking of doing something like this with a harbor freight sprayer well and was interested in how it did
FarmyardFantastic@reddit
Nice work
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
Thank you.
Bitter-Procedure6131@reddit
What the hell happened to it
Bam_Adedebayo@reddit
How many gallon air compressor? The real cost is in the tools you already had.
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
I already had a 20 gallon Harbor Freight compressor. I only had to but paint, hardener, clearcoat, tape, gun, and sandpaper. Also used a minor bit of Bondo that I already had to fix a couple small door dings
Bam_Adedebayo@reddit
How come all the pros say you need at least 60-80 gallon air compressor? If 20 gallon is all you need I might give it a shot, did you have to pause to wait for the compressor to catch up?
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
Pros use pro equipment... I used what I had and could afford. The 20 gallon compressor worked well. It ran almost the whole time I was spaying though. Would a pro shop use my compressor to paint a car? Nope. But they are charging 4,000+ for a paint job out in the real world. Mine paint job cost me less than $300 and a little time, and it looks just fine.
Bam_Adedebayo@reddit
It looks pretty good tbh. I just didn’t know if 20 gallon was enough for the job, but now that I know I might give this a shot myself at some point because I’m not spending thousands on a big compressor
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
Do it, my friend.
ambuguity@reddit
Smaller tank means it’s running more which means more heat. This leads to more condensation in the tank. It’s a good idea to run your line up the wall 12-15’ and back down. Then the air can cool and moisture precipitate back out and drip down the line. Of course having a water separator somewhere is even better but you can also disconnect the line and empty any accumulated water in the line. So I guess output down then up 15’ then back down to the gun. Still need a desiccant at the gun but it will last longer (throw it in a ziplock between coats if for any real length of time). Btw doing all of this probably means a larger tank would be helpful. The more air line, the more the pressure drops.
canitguy@reddit
I've been dabbling into this world too. I have a 20 gallon and I have been able to lay down paint pretty decently. Don't get me wrong, it runs pretty much the whole time and probably isn't great for the overall life of the compressor, but it's definitely doable for a one off project
Bam_Adedebayo@reddit
Good to know
funnyha_ha@reddit
60 to 80 gallon is so the compressor is not constantly running and most are two stage compressors that it refills while providing constant pressure. I repaint small equipment about the size of refrigerators and have used a 20 gallon with hvlp spray gun with no issues
mr_lab_rat@reddit
That turned out quite nice.
Post an update after the next step. We want to see the good and the bad.
ForeskinForeman@reddit
From way over here looks pretty good. Now show us where it doesn’t.
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
Oh, there are plenty of imperfections. Some orange peel and a couple of gnats landed in the clear. Hoping to get rid of some of it when I wet sand and buff this week.
tacomayne07@reddit
Lmao my 2020 camry has orange peel 🤣.. you will be just fine mayne... good job
ForeskinForeman@reddit
It really does look good from here, that’s why I asked. I am impressed.
UnfitRadish@reddit
Always feels good when you gets compliments from your Foreman. Not so sure about a ForeskinForeman though....
LakeLifeTL@reddit
Let's be honest, you can't tell shit with a picture. But I'll say this, it's fine for that car regardless. Good job.
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
Thanks... It's a nice 20 footer. I would do some things differently now that I have some experience. First and foremost, I would have more light in the garage, it was difficult to see what I was doing. Also, I'd paint with the garage door open — There was a lot of paint mist in the air, which also made visibility a bit harder. All in all, I'm happy with the results.
mountainunicycler@reddit
If you’d had the garage open there’s a good chance you’d be saying that next time you’d close the garage to stop so much dust and bugs from getting on to it.
There’s a reason paint booths generally have massive filtered ventilation systems!
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
I get it, I figure I'd trade not being able to see while painting for having to wet sand some critters out of the clear coat.
mountainunicycler@reddit
I think you picked the right choice even if it was hard to see!
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
Thanks. LOL... I still got some bugs.
mountainunicycler@reddit
I’m sure. It’s impossible not to ahah
LakeLifeTL@reddit
Everyone underestimates lighting requirements, so don't beat yourself up over that. When you get used to professional spray booths, it's hard to go back to a garage, but I've seen some pretty impressive kits for making a booth in your garage. LED lighting makes a huge difference too.
OkCartographer175@reddit
You can tell that it looks good from 8 feet away.
shrimp-god@reddit
are you in the Jacksonville area? i saw a 3rd gen this exact color by buccees like a week ago
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
That was me.
shrimp-god@reddit
dude i love the color on that thing it was adorable
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
Thank you... small world, right?
draco0562@reddit
What size air compressor do you have?
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
20 gallon. Harbor Freight's finest
draco0562@reddit
So im guessing painting too ya a minute. But it looks good. Considering doing this to my 97 suburban.
Ineverseenthat@reddit
Nicely done!
worksgr8@reddit
Nice 👍
BN3163@reddit
That paint job looks good for DIY.
chef-keef@reddit
Holy prep work Batman - must have take. Days
Shorty-71@reddit
Did you remove door handle and disassemble or just go Earl Scheib and paint as it stood?
LithiuM23@reddit
Was that the OEM colour as well?
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
No... It was Honda Glacier Blue
tootsdude@reddit
Who mixed the color into the rustoleum? I have painted a bunch of things this same way but have only used the colors as they are
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
I mixed it.
TheContentThief@reddit
Holy shit
shupack@reddit
Nice color!
FloridaMan_Unleashed@reddit
For your first time that looks pretty good! Awesome color as well!
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
Thank you very much
FloridaMan_Unleashed@reddit
You’re welcome!
Bad_CRC-305@reddit
i need more details so i can do this to my 99 f-150.
if anyone has tips or videos pls
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
I got most of my info from WHITLEY AUTO WORKS on YT. He's great...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO_OKalgEQo
Bad_CRC-305@reddit
Tyvm
Fender0122@reddit
Good work! I’ve done several diy paint jobs and they only get better as you go. So satisfying pulling the tape and seeing the hard prep work finally pay off. Congrats on successfully making it look better than it did before!
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
Thanks! One thing I did well was the taping.
samdtho@reddit
Prep is 90% of any paint work.
Fender0122@reddit
I was about to mention the taping lol. How long did that take you? It took me two weeks (evenings only) to do the last couple I did. That part is sooooo tedious
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
The taping took a couple hours. My wife helped. She loves to do tedious work like that.
Mean-Veterinarian647@reddit
Taping is fun,right? Nice work,you’re only going to get better with experience.
Jmmman@reddit
Looks like it laid out pretty nice!
SleestackMcGee@reddit
Looks great from here.
National_Stuff_1606@reddit
Post a close up shot after you wet sand and polish it, it looks great in these pics!
cornhole_mcbrowneye@reddit
You post pics of the process anywhere? :0
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
Sorry, I didn't take many pics.
CarGuyJohnOnRoute66@reddit
For sub $300, no shame at all! Even if it looks like crap up close. Nobody’s going to judge this. Great work! And great color choice
PQsacoolcat@reddit
That's amazing!! I love that baby blue. It reminds me of an original VW Bug from the late sixties kind of blue.
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
Thank you! I mixed the color in my garage, which has crappy fluorescent lighting. I thought the color was going to be a bit more blue-gray and not quite as bright. But I really like how it came out.
This-Seat-6431@reddit
Definitely just gave me inspiration to buy a cheap paint gun and do one of my old broncos myself!
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
This guy has the info you'll need.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO_OKalgEQo
bstrobel64@reddit
Man that came out nice. I've been trying to convince myself to paint my K5 in the garage for two years now.
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
Thanks!... Do it
scott_fx@reddit
After reading how toxic 2k is, I’m terrified of it. What PPE did you use?
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
Livid_Protection_414@reddit
Good from afar but far from good?
KittiesRule1968@reddit
Looking good!
CHLarkin@reddit
This came out quite nicely.
Electrical-Long-8067@reddit
Man that’s nice, I’ve been flirting with the idea of painting my project
rational_overthinker@reddit
what additional steps need to be taken to ensure the paint sticks to the plastic bumpers properly?
Aleutian_Solution@reddit
Doesn’t look half bad
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
Another angle
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
roadwarrior721@reddit
That’s looks real good
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
Thanks! It's certainly not perfect, but it looks much better than it did before. I didn't have the cash for a professional paint job, so the options were no paint vs. paint it myself.
roadwarrior721@reddit
I hear ya, I’m in the same boat with my car too here probably next year. Happy to see there’s great options. What kinda compressor were you rocking?
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
20 gallon McGraw compressor from Harbor Freight that I already own. It worked its ass off, but it got the job done.
djdownhill@reddit
Looks great!
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
Much appreciated.
Friendly_Escape_1020@reddit
Looks pretty good.
WowFrog487@reddit (OP)
Thank you.
STUPIDBLOODYCOMPUTER@reddit
Electrical-Arm-1030@reddit
Can you paint my car? 😂