Completely redoing hood, paint stripping etc

[Carbon Blue]

Hey guys, Im about to completely re do my dads hood on his 1997 ford explorer. The thing is completely sun baked, clear coat failed, paint faded and chipped. ANYTHING is better than its current shape.



I want to keep this cheap and I know that I will not get OEM quality, I just want something that looks better than its current state



What grit sand paper do you guys recommend to completely strip the hood down to the bare metal without causing malformatiions in the metal? What grit should I finish with?



Do you guys recommend any kinds of paint? I was thinking about getting some of the krylon paints that they have at the local auto parts store. You give them the paint code and they give you an aerosol can etc. The hood will be primed and clearcoated, and yes I know how to wet sand.



Id also like to keep this as chemical free as possible. Thanks



Do you think a 12oz aerosol can of paint will be enough for a hood?

[imported_wagonproject]

Please just let a professional do it. Painting a car part with aerosol cans is just going to look like crap (I`ve seen my fair share of DIY jobs come into our shops wanting fixed). If it was a mirror or door handle you might be able to not make it as noticeable, but to do a big panel that is easily visible such as the hood is in my opinion just not going to look good. Save a few pennies and just get it the top of the hood painted (no need to blend into fenders if your were thinking aerosol would look better). It shouldn`t be all that expensive depending on shop/location.

[944obscene]

I`d look around. You can have that hood done for pretty cheap.



The effort you`ll exert in that paint job won`t be worth the results. I`ve seen people put out some rattle-canned paint jobs. They always look the same.

[Thats Fresh]

id take it to a cheap paint shop which can easily prep the hood and repaint it for around $100-200.

[butchdave]

If you intend doing it yourself, and it can be done by aerosol, then budget for a lot of paint. You`ll need to get a decent amount of paint on there so that you can sand out the imperfections and if necessary respray.



It probably won`t look worse than what`s there already and the experience will tell you if its something you ever want to attempt again.



Edit:



For a guide to how to try reading the DIY paint job link on this page



GOTECH, Tech info page launch (http://www.thebugshop.org/gotech.htm)



I`m sure that there are more technical guides, but I like that one for its down to earth approach.

[jeteast99]

or just go to your local auto recycler (junk yard) and see if you can find one. and replace it.

[944obscene]

or just go to your local auto recycler (junk yard) and see if you can find one. and replace it.



Cheaper still!, or you could do this!



Rusting your hood....flame suit strapped on tight! - Honda-Tech (http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2404535)



http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/4011/dsc08414xc6.jpg (http://img179.imageshack.us/i/dsc08414xc6.jpg/)http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/dsc08414xc6.jpg/1/w800.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img179/dsc08414xc6.jpg/1/)

[imported_wagonproject]

Chance of finding a hood the same color are slim. If not you still have to paint it. I`d just save the money to have it prepped and sprayed correctly.




Cheaper still!, or you could do this!



Rusting your hood....flame suit strapped on tight! - Honda-Tech (http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2404535)



http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/4011/dsc08414xc6.jpg (http://img179.imageshack.us/i/dsc08414xc6.jpg/)http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/dsc08414xc6.jpg/1/w800.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img179/dsc08414xc6.jpg/1/)





:nomore:

[David Fermani]

Uh Oh, Better Get Maaco.

[Migue]

Cheaper still!, or you could do this!



Rusting your hood....flame suit strapped on tight! - Honda-Tech (http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2404535)



http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/4011/dsc08414xc6.jpg (http://img179.imageshack.us/i/dsc08414xc6.jpg/)http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/dsc08414xc6.jpg/1/w800.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img179/dsc08414xc6.jpg/1/)





I could understand doing this to a Hot Rod but a tuner car???? *** that looks ridiculous:nono

[Carbon Blue]

thanks guys, it was one of those summer projects I had in mind. I know the results wont be spectacular, but trust me anything in any shade of green will look better than what it has goin on right now. Ill call the local cheapo auto paint and body shops in the area.