I copied a previous question I had from someone else's thread in hopes to get an answer, here it is:
I have no knowledge of paints and primers, but, as stupid as this may sound, reading about all the info on using breather devices, does the same "rule" apply if you paint your car outside?...like your backyard? I know it's not the smartest way of painting, because of the obvious reasons of dust, dirt, etc....I'm not trying to give my car no show winning paint job....I'd just like to strip off all the paint, and use some type of primer that will make my car look uniform and prevent any rust that could occur in it's present state. I've heard that you can use Rustoleum and it will protect your metal better then normal primer. Is this true? Or am I better off putting out the bucks and getting some of that DP45 or whatever number it is? I'm looking to paint/primer my car black. Thanks in advance for any and all input graemlins/thumbsup.gif

One can only hope that the EPA and C.A.R.B. don't read this forum........ The short answer is NO you can't paint outside. Actually, you can't paint inside either, without the proper gear and equipment and air filtration. CA would get very upset, I think.

You could shoot laquer primer/surfacer outside..thats about it IMHO and experience.

Murphy's Law regarding insects and painting: Something will always land on fresh paint and imbed itself.

I used to paint cars in a friends back yard, cheapo synthetic fleet enamel and it actually came out decent...sure looked better than having the car be three colors. His yard was big enough that overspray wasnt a problem.

Originally posted by drptop70ss:
I used to paint cars in a friends back yard, cheapo synthetic fleet enamel and it actually came out decent...sure looked better than having the car be three colors. His yard was big enough that overspray wasnt a problem. &
Originally posted by Randy Mosier: Murphy's Law regarding insects and painting: Something will always land on fresh paint and imbed itself. Like I had stated earlier in this post, I'm not looking to paint my car, but would like any advise on primering it for the mean time while I use it as my daily driver and whatnot. I'd like to know if Rustoleum is any good? I have been told by a couple of people that it works good and can be painted over. I have also read in other posts that "buzzbomb" primers shouldn't be used because they can't be painted over. Thanks again to everyone who has put in their knowledge graemlins/thumbsup.gif

i've heard rustoleum contains certain oils(linseed?)that will bleed out over time.if you are not picky about your paint i guess you could get by using rustoleum industrial enamel over rustoleum primer.i have actually studied the primers and paints rustoleum offers and the best (my best guess)paint system for a car would probably be their paint for industrial machinery,such as road graters,bulldozers,etc.their info claims a long-lasting gloss and color retention.i read about rustoleum products either in a home depot(commercial) contractors catalog or granger(commercial) catalog.you can order either one over the net,they are free and one of them is packed with info on rustoleums paint line.i would invest in or borrow a spray gun or compressor and not use rattle can paint so you can get a slick finish.i guess you could squeak by using rattle can primer but i would smooth it with 400 grit paper before applying the topcoat.the really bad thing about this is the car will probably need to be stripped to the bare metal in the future if you or someone else decides to do a professional quality paint job.hope this helps.

Do not put Rustoleum on a car. Automotive grade el-cheapo synthetic enamel is not very expensive, however you get what you pay for.
Have you thought about doing the prep and have someone shoot it? The prep is where the $$'s are.
You are correct about the spraycan primer, a paint job is only as good as the weakest link, that primer would be it!

Thanks a lot everyone for chiming in. I'm at a point right now that I don't know what to do next. I'm currently out of work due to a back injury, and disability doesn't exactly pay me what I'm used to getting paid. My car as a whole, is covered in white paint and I know the metal is fine. It's just that I somehow have a lot of spots on my car that I don't know how they developed. They are pretty much perfect circles and have gone thru the paint and look to be down to the metal. I originally thought it was bird crap that ate thru from sitting for about 7 years, but I was reminded that bird crap isn't exactly perfectly cirular..lol Anyways, there're all over my hood, trunk, and somewhat on the roof. Along with that, I have a big rust hole that developed on the roof just above my rear driver's side quarter window and don't want that to get any worse then what it already is. I'm just tired of seeing my beautiful car(no matter how ugly others may think, it's beautiful to me) sit there with a beat up paint job, primer'd pass door and all these freakin lil spots all over it. I don't want anyone to think I'm some kind of freak tryin to use "house paint" or whatnot on my car tryin to do things on the cheap side. Just like anyone else here, if I had the money, I'd go all out with everything no matter the cost...but it's obviously not like that. Since I've been out of work, I haven't done much to my car other then maintain and adjust my rockers every now and then. I just feel like I've been out sooo long with soo much time on my hands, I should have atleast done something good to my car. Only thing that's been holding me back is my income and the fact that you never know who's watching you. So, once again, I thank everyone who's taken their time to help me out, and I really appreciate any and all input from others....thanks! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

be nice if some one in CA can help this guy out with some paint or even a garage for a day.

Thanks to the guy who emailed me with some info, not sure who you are, didn't recognize the email addy, but thanks a lot! graemlins/beers.gif graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Yes you can paint your car outside. Here are the steps you have to take. This is also assuming that where you live you have a paved back alley, or a paved pad where you can paint. Grass might work but pavement would be nicer. Also warm weather, the hotter the better.

Mask off your car the day before, Get it all ready so you can roll it out the next morning

Get up nice and early say 6:00AM. Spray the pavement(asfault(sp?), grass, whatever) with water. This will pretty much get rid of any dust problems(unless its windy, that dont bother painting that day)

Now roll your prepped car out. Do not start it, roll it out.

Get a tacking cloth and go over the car.

Now spray away, Within 15 minutes (if the weather is fairly warm) the car will be dry enough that bugs, dust, whatever, will not stick to it.


My dad used to paint cars back in his day, Hes was quite well known in our area. People from all over the world would come to him because he could mix up all of those one off paint colors that other paint guys wouldn't bother with mixing.

Of cource having a paint booth is nice but if you dont need a show car finish, like you said you dont. Go ahead. Way cheaper.

-Matt

{QUOTE} "...and the fact that you never know who's watching you." {UNQUOTE}

Uhmmm, is this an indication of how valid your back injury claim is?
:eek:

i dont know..... if someone is well enougth to work on their car they should be well enougth to go to work.. my old boss came to work and climbed ladders with a broken leg!!

Originally posted by vettefella:
{QUOTE} "...and the fact that you never know who's watching you." {UNQUOTE}

Uhmmm, is this an indication of how valid your back injury claim is?
:eek: No, all I was trying to say is that when people see the "finished product" they can and might question my injurt. I've been out since October of this past year and have improved, but I am still not capable of handling my warehouse duties. I feel that I can handle a little piece of my car at a time, and I'm not talking about a section or a fender, I'm talking about a piece of a fender to somewhat sand and primer. I wouldn't be able to do my whole car in a couple weeks, sand to prime and finish like someone else who isn't injured. For all I know, it could take me at least another 6 months to a year to just get my car sanded and ready for primer at the rate my back is going. Anyway, I thank everyone who has pitched in with their knowledge and it is very appreciated graemlins/beers.gif