Painting a Jeep Wrangler

Nana

Nana

Big Ole Nanny
Contributor
I picked up a 1997 Wrangler a few years ago in a "divorce inspired liquidation". Just a little 4 banger with a four speed to use as a daily driver to keep the miles off the RAM. It has about 125,000 miles on it. It is that awful pinky purple they made that year. Ugh.. It runs like a top and has lots of life left in everything but the paint, which is faded down to the primer on the hood and front fenders. I only paid $2,500 for it (see liquidation above) and am not willing to pay someone more than the Jeep cost to paint it. Wrapping seemed affordable but prices have shot up on that too. Soooooo, I am thinking I am going to rattle can it.

It looks like the best two options are Krylon Colormaxx Paint & Primer or Rustoleum 2X Paint & Primer. Any personal experience with this? I have read a lot of reviews that have left me more confused. It looks like crap now so I think anything will be an improvement! I am aware that prep is important and am prepared to do that.
 
QBD2

QBD2

Old Mossy Horns
I figured you’d love that pinkle Jeep😂

Can’t help with spraybomb, but wet prep with grey scotchbrite and little powder(comet Ajax etc) then wash with dawn. Tape it tight and keep it clean👍

You could camo it, or stripe it, or whatever. The sky is the limit😎
 
“J”

“J”

Ten Pointer
I guess I’m a little confused as how a spray on bed liner would affect the performance of a vehicle?
 
Nana

Nana

Big Ole Nanny
Contributor
“J” said:
I guess I’m a little confused as how a spray on bed liner would affect the performance of a vehicle?
Click to expand...
The Jeep is a 4 cylinder. It already has big tires. It has to run 70+ mph on the highway sometimes. Bedliner material is heavy. I know this because I put it on a work boat we had. I don't want the weight and the wife won't like the look.

So no experience with Krylon vs Rustoleum for a vehicle?
 
7mm-08

7mm-08

Twelve Pointer
Pick a cool day out of the sun and do full body panel stripes and keep a wet edge.

If it’s in the sun or warm out it may be hard to keep it wet long enough to blend with spray paint.
 
bigten

bigten

Old Mossy Horns
Contributor
My opinion and experience is you'll be way ahead to invest in a spray gun and get the paint you want vs the spray can route. (I'm sure you have an air compressor and regulator/water separator already for your business) Can paint is rather expensive for the amount you'll need and will fade quicker than mixed paint. Of course, I'm not a body man or painter by any means but spray a good bit at times. A harbor freight gun will work fine for what your doing and is inexpensive. Just make sure to clean completely when done. Prep is probably the most important step and the most mundane. QBD2's suggestion above is solid as that would probably be quicker that multiple wet sand passes. Tape properly and spray when that is done.

Eta: IF you still decide to go the can route, I would recommend Rustoleum over any other brand. It seems to have a better blend and better cover than all others. I would also suggest getting a spray handle that snaps on the can that allows you to pull the trigger instead of pressing the button. You have better control of the can and it's a lifesaver on you hand and fingers...
 
Eric Revo

Eric Revo

Old Mossy Horns
Contributor
Second the suggestion on a spray gun and vehicle paint for this job. The prep will take a lot longer than the paint job but will determine how long it looks and lasts.
 

nchunter

Twelve Pointer
I’ve got a few jeeps. One is bed liner sprayed, inside and out. Black on outside and red inside the tub. No issues. You can get any color and gloss, satin or flat
 
FishHunt

FishHunt

Old Mossy Horns
If you go with the rattle can option use matte paint. It'll hide the errors that always happen with rattle can paint jobs and look better after a few months in the sun.

<>< Fish
 

Howie Moth

Four Pointer
My 1.25 cents due to inflation. Scuff it and heavy-build prime it. If selling down the road it's a plus for potential buyer vs bed liner option. Though I dig the bed liner thing it's not for everyone and selling anything is about removing the no's from your buyers brain.
 
v8stang289

v8stang289

Ten Pointer
I agree with Bigten. If you've already got a compressor etc, go buy a harbor freight or amazon spray gun and spray the jeep.
You can get single stage urethane thats fairly inexpensive and will hold up well.

As much as spray cans have gone up, you can probably do it cheaper and better with a spray gun and real automotive paint.
 

venom17

Six Pointer
Go to paintforcars.com. Many different types of paints and paint kits for cheap. Most rattle can paints will not hold up over time and are never a true color match.
 
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