Has anyone ever painted an entire XJ using only spray paint and had it come out looking ok? I just did my rims and used gray primer then black paint and it seems like it looks smooth and even. But it's such a small area I don't know if that would translate to an entire vehicle

 

whenever I do large panels I get "striping". I have little experience with it and I bet I could get it to look pretty good. I never get striping on small items (bumpers, wheels, etc) but I tried doing a trunk and when I got it into the sun it looked AWFUL.

this guys jeep is rattle canned:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/pr...orange-193455/

 

Have you thought about plasti dip?You can buy it in gallons and use a normal house sprayer to paint it with.Take a look around https://www.dipyourcar.com/home.php

 

It would be hard to get a paint job out of spray cans to not have any striping. Have you thought about painting with a roller? I seen it done and it looks ok but it's always a flat or semi flat color.

 

If you actually know how to paint with spray cans you won't get any striping in a paintjob. Its about taking your time with prep work and keeping the can far away enough not to run but close enough to where it doesn't dry spray. And don't space your paint streaks so far apart if your getting striping, when you start a new "line" make it only two or three inches below where you just aimed so the paint blends together. If you mess up then re-sand it and try again.

 

Instead of investing the time and money into perfecting the art of rattle canning I'd just buy a decent gun and compressor if I didn't already own them.

 

You make it sound as if owning a professional spray gun is all it takes for professional quality work. Learning how to spray well still takes time regardless of how good your equipment is. If you suck at spraying it doesn't matter if you have $1000 in equipment or $30 in rattle cans, the paint job will still look bad.

 

I look at it this way. My jeep is gonna get scratched up dented whatever. I don't plan on buying $50 of automotive paint for touch-ups.

 

+1 to PlastiDip, that stuff is amazing. Almost impossible to mess up and peels off when you want it gone, or want a different color.

 

Harbor Freight has a nice 30 gallon direct drive oiled compressor that can be had for $150 with a coupon, and I have seen gravity spray guns go for less than $20.
The problem with using rattle cans is the cost per ounce is high. Of course, the price of liquid paint has become almost prohibitive. "Cheap" automotive paint is going to cost $300 per gallon up to the sky, and that is not including primer, thinner, sand paper etc.
Have you thought about Maaco or one of the other auto body shops? You could probably get it done for what materials would cost.
Cheers,
Doug

 

You can get automotive paint and cat combos for less than 150 a gallon. But hey whatever floats your boat. Some guys roll on Bedliner. If it's a beater why paint at all? I'd just use thinner and a torch to add to the patina.

 

At maaco you're probably looking at close to $1k. More or a little less depending on color. Plus they suck.

 

Yeah there you go your getting it now. No I meant if you do it right a paint job with spray paint doesn't look that bad. Theirs a couple people with OD green/desert tan/white/black/bedlined paintjobs that just used rattle can and it turned out really well with good prep work and painting technique. I'm just saying thats definetly an option if thats what the OP wants to do.

 

Rattle can painting is an art. Practice practice practice, it will come out good.

 

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