I am restoring a 1950 Ford F1 truck. I am in the process of sandblasting and prepping the body for paint. I have a small one car garage. I wanted to paint the complete truck all at once, but the size of the garage is a concern. I have two gallons of paint purchased at the same time from same shop (light blue). The cab and bed need to be separate so I can paint between them. My garage will not hold both with the bed seperate. I know it is better to paint it all at once, but it would be easier to paint the bed and cab separate. What are your opinions? Thanks, John
What type of paint are you using? Instead of seperating my bed from the frame, I'm just going to paint the back of the cab when I have my bed panel off the front (if it looks feasible) or just blow paint in between the cab and the bed as best I can since I'm painting it the original color anyways...
One thing a painter friend of mine does when he is using more than one can of the same color on the same job is to mix the contends of both cans together, stir it up an pour it back in the paint cans so that he makes sure that the color stays consistent. I'd Probably paint them separate because it seems that every time a truck gets painted with the bed on it the surfaces between the cab and the bed end up looking like the land of overspray. If you are going to all the trouble to do it do it up right so you won't have regrets later. If you still want to paint the cab and bed at one time, pull the bed off and paint the back of the cab and the front of the bed and put it back together and then paint the truck and you will have a lot sharper looking truck then one you "blew" paint in between the cab and bed.
I am using Single Stage Urathane. I would think that booking the two gallons of paint is the norm if you are painting everything at once. I have thought about painting the back of the cab and bed first since I plan on color sanding.
One other thing is that I have never painted a car or truck. The body was removed and frame and brakes repaired and painted.
You didn't say if it was a solid or metallic color........I try to paint metallics all at the same time so it all lays down the same. That said, those trucks are kinda hard to paint all together. Like where the rear fenders meet the box....a good place to get runs. If it's already apart, I'd paint it apart. Also, if you have never painted before, smaller pieces are going to be much easier to paint....
I'm painting my F-1 apart and as I go, but it's single stage 99 black. So far, no problems but like I say it's single stage back. I've done it with cream acrylic enamel before also. It too is a forgiving color. I'd do like 48 chevy suggested.
Thanks for the info. RM&C, the color is a solid light powder blue. I think I will paint it in parts and make sure the paint is well mixed each time. I don't need to fix a lot of runs because of inexperience.
when we did our F1 we took it all apart......... don't forget the dash,and inside the box. that also takes alot of paint. before you start , make sure the paint you are using is still available,or that you definetly have enough... good luck and lets see some pics along the way
shouldnt be a problem doing the cab and bed seperate ..just make sure you use the same amount of coats on both
What he said. I would add though that no one had painted a car before they painted their first one, this is how we learn. Also, body preparation is key, do not rush this process.
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