Airbrush or rattle can touchup paint?

[Danglerb]

Three of our cars need more than scratch fixing, worst is wife's Continental in pearl white with a bumper that should be totally refinished and bubble of rust at the top of the windshield. Both 928's have some rust at the bottom of right side quarter window where they all get it. Zinc metallic has specks previous owner hid with touchup that didn't last past a few washes, and a couple scratches, plus egg shell on the rear quarter that was repainted after a repair. Black car has former respray peeling in spots and same rust at quarter only larger area.

So, that has me planning on buying some touchup paint and working on all three a bit over the brutal SoCal winter (no more working in shorts in another month).

Rattle can or should I pop for a cheap airbrush system that I could maybe use for lots of stuff, but hopefully that would also do a better job on all or most of the touchup issues.

[honerboys]

I'd go with an airbrush - I bought a nice iwata at hobby lobby - they have 40% off coupons every week - the brush listed for about $170 and I got it for around $100 - not real cheap but I do use it for other touchup stuff around the house as well as the cars - airbrushes also give you great control of the paint and usually produce a better result than spray cans

[laneyamps]

I would "probably" advise an airbrush kit....If you want a professional looking job.

However, I had a 1997 Nissan Altima that had a decent area of "bumper rash" The damage was on the Pass Side "corner" of the rear bumper. Was a really nice car, and well cared for. That "rash" was the only eyesore on the whole car, and I wanted to keep it looking nice, without buying a new bumper, or complete respray....

So, I sanded the "rash area", taped off the area to be sprayed, used a lot of newspaper to avoid over-spray on the rest of the car...I had a rattle-can of Black Krylon spray paint (in the basement), and gave it my best shot. I figured, what's the WORST that could happen?

Now I'm NOT a body-man, nor, do I know how to paint a car, BUT, I have to say, I was shocked how good it came out. I just took my time sanding, & prepping the area. It looked damn good when it was all done. From 10 feet away, it was hard to tell there was any damage on the bumper.

[MPDano]

paintbrush

[Fixer]

I think you should do it the right way or save yourself the trouble and money. It won't blend. The bumper cover on the Lincoln would need to be taken off and taken to a honest paint shop. They do exist.

The 928 that has rust at rear quarter glass is a pro job also. The entire rear quarter would need painting as well as blending into the door on that side.
Can't be done with an air brush.

[Fixer]

Originally Posted by MPDano

paintbrush

Looks like Andy Warhol. Never liked his 'art'

[fb111]

I've never seen Sikkens applied with a brush.

[Danglerb]

Ironically the 83 quarter was done by a guy with decades of high end paint experience, Glasurit and Porsche, but stuff happened while my car was in his shop and afterwards. I frankly don't see how I could do a worse job if I tried.

First priority on all the cars is to stop the rust, its Calif, so I don't need to go crazy to stop it, just get something on it.

OTOH I need to get hooked up with some local paint guy, and do the prep myself for some of it.

White pearl on the Lincoln best bet "might" be to find a good same color rear bumper from a parts car. Car stalled on an offramp and kindly CHP gave us a push resulting in messing up the paint on the urethane bumper cover.

Rust bubbles on the Lincoln are right at the top of the windshield, as in the windshield is going to have to be out during any real repair. Which isn't bad since its due a new windshield, but limits the time it can be messed with.

Airbrush is sounding like a fun new toy, going to be hard to just pass on it. I already have a few compressors, and thinking I could run it easy off my portable 5 gal tank.

[lfausty]

Simple fix Borrow a pair of these, Job done!

[laneyamps]

Originally Posted by The Fixer

Looks like Andy Warhol. Never liked his 'art'

"Art".....oh, that's what they call it? LOL

[JhwShark]

How about for the peeling of a bad clear coat rear quarter window area and bumper? What is the recommendation for this fix?

Thanks,
Jon

[Fixer]

Originally Posted by laneyamps

"Art".....oh, that's what they call it? LOL

I know, as someone who really worked hard at drawing, painting and sculpting as a kid his work is pathetic. Lots of drugs make anyone's art appealing i guess.Check out his shop boots, i have a pair just like them.

Originally Posted by JhwShark

How about for the peeling of a bad clear coat rear quarter window area and bumper? What is the recommendation for this fix?

Thanks,
Jon

Jon it must be sanded down beyond the bad clear, primer sealer, and painted and cleared again. This is tricky and would be done best by a pro.

Sorry there is no easy fix for that that i know of.

[uBoat Commander]

Originally Posted by JhwShark

How about for the peeling of a bad clear coat rear quarter window area and bumper? What is the recommendation for this fix?

Thanks,
Jon

Ugh - been there with other cars -

An actual Re-spray is only real fix. You can't just fix areas where it is coming off - you have to re-spray the whole car. Trying to only sand/re-spray a portion will leave you in the same mess in 12 months.

Wetsand areas, carnuba wax heavily by hand (only ever wax by hand - don't ruin waxing with a machine)

Only hides problem a little. An actual Re-spray is only real fix

[Danglerb]

Painting more than a sq ft with an air brush would be quite a chore, and I think easily could look striped.

[JhwShark]

Thanks, Thought so...

Originally Posted by uBoat Commander

Ugh - been there with other cars -

An actual Re-spray is only real fix. You can't just fix areas where it is coming off - you have to re-spray the whole car. Trying to only sand/re-spray a portion will leave you in the same mess in 12 months.

Wetsand areas, carnuba wax heavily by hand (only ever wax by hand - don't ruin waxing with a machine)

Only hides problem a little. An actual Re-spray is only real fix