Decent Paint That Won't Break the Bank

[KilgoreTrout]

It seems when people ask this question on paint or body forums, a lot of guys just get all huffy and say "you never want to skimp on this!" or "if you're worried about a few hundred bucks, you re in the wrong hobby" etc..
But let's be real here. Some people were getting quotes of like $800 for a gallon of color.
I've shot tcp SS urethane twice and it didn't seem too bad for $200 for a kit, but I'm no painter.
I'm planning on doing bc/cc this time around, and just looking for some gm woodland green that isn't ridiculously priced.
I have a hard time believing that anything expensive is great.
Kinda like a $280 shielding gas tank that's $160 at the place next door.
So does anyone have experience shooting a certain value line that works good and can usually be found locally or online?

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[CSFJ]

It seems when people ask this question on paint or body forums, a lot of guys just get all huffy and say "you never want to skimp on this!" or "if you're worried about a few hundred bucks, you re in the wrong hobby" etc..
But let's be real here. Some people were getting quotes of like $800 for a gallon of color.
I've shot tcp SS urethane twice and it didn't seem too bad for $200 for a kit, but I'm no painter.
I'm planning on doing bc/cc this time around, and just looking for some gm woodland green that isn't ridiculously priced.
I have a hard time believing that anything expensive is great.
Kinda like a $280 shielding gas tank that's $160 at the place next door.
So does anyone have experience shooting a certain value line that works good and can usually be found locally or online?

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I've used some of Nason's products. They're Dupont's value line. Seems to spray and layout nice for someone without a lot of experience. Not sure what they're bc/cc pricing is. You'll have to check locally.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

I've used some of Nason's products. They're Dupont's value line. Seems to spray and layout nice for someone without a lot of experience. Not sure what they're bc/cc pricing is. You'll have to check locally.

I've heard of that before, but dont know much about it. I'll definitely look in to it. Thanks.
I keep hearing that SPI makes good primers for not much money, so I may get some primer from them. They supposedly have paint, too, but only like 5 colors or something. That would be cool if they mixed as well, but nope.

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[animal]

I am hearing good things about tamco paints. Supposed to be a "value" priced brand.

 

[Old77]

The Duplicolor Paint Shop system seems to be a pretty decent system for the DIYer and you can either order it online from Jegs and Summit or get it from your local O'Reilly

 

[KilgoreTrout]

The Duplicolor Paint Shop system seems to be a pretty decent system for the DIYer and you can either order it online from Jegs and Summit or get it from your local O'Reilly

I don't know why I have such a problem with the duplicolor name.
I think it's because I welded and rattle canned a Toyota pickup bed with it some years back. Lol
Honestly, though, the blue color was pretty damn close.

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[KilgoreTrout]

I'm honestly leaning towards tcp global again.
And trying to decide if I really want to try to do a bc/cc in my ******* driveway.
The two times I did single stage, I was pretty impressed with them.

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[dhenderz]

I've painted with Summit's paint. It's really not that bad. I was going to choose it again this past year when I was painting a dump truck (yes, dump truck). But they no longer ship to MI because of some interpretation of the shipping laws for my state. Really odd. I even called them and inquired, no luck. Very strange since SPI and Eastwood both still ship to MI.

To that end, I have used both Eastwood's paint (on the dump truck) and SPI (son's F150). Eastwood's isn't bad. It's similar to Summit's line. Certainly not something I would classify as 'top of the line' and not comparable to PPG. By that I mean, it just doesn't have the flow time & properties of PPG. But you pay for that!

I do highly recommend SPI products. I have basically switched to SPI products exclusively, at least for those products they manufacture. For me that means epoxy primer and urethane clear (top coat). Per the previous post, they do also manufacture a nice base coat. But they only make 5 colors (2 reds, orange, white, black). I sprayed my son's F150 in their black (bc/cc). I have to say their black is unbelievable. The depth and purity of the their black is difficult to describe. They use a very pure, extremely finely ground carbon black to make this product. Putting my son's truck next to any other factory painted black and the others appear grey or brown compared to his truck. All of this at really competitive pricing.

And finally, the customer service at SPI is the best. The owner answer's his cell phone 7 days a week if you have any questions or difficulty with their products. I just wish they would make custom mix colors.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

I've painted with Summit's paint. It's really not that bad. I was going to choose it again this past year when I was painting a dump truck (yes, dump truck). But they no longer ship to MI because of some interpretation of the shipping laws for my state. Really odd. I even called them and inquired, no luck. Very strange since SPI and Eastwood both still ship to MI.

To that end, I have used both Eastwood's paint (on the dump truck) and SPI (son's F150). Eastwood's isn't bad. It's similar to Summit's line. Certainly not something I would classify as 'top of the line' and not comparable to PPG. By that I mean, it just doesn't have the flow time & properties of PPG. But you pay for that!

I do highly recommend SPI products. I have basically switched to SPI products exclusively, at least for those products they manufacture. For me that means epoxy primer and urethane clear (top coat). Per the previous post, they do also manufacture a nice base coat. But they only make 5 colors (2 reds, orange, white, black). I sprayed my son's F150 in their black (bc/cc). I have to say their black is unbelievable. The depth and purity of the their black is difficult to describe. They use a very pure, extremely finely ground carbon black to make this product. Putting my son's truck next to any other factory painted black and the others appear grey or brown compared to his truck. All of this at really competitive pricing.

And finally, the customer service at SPI is the best. The owner answer's his cell phone 7 days a week if you have any questions or difficulty with their products. I just wish they would make custom mix colors.

Good to know about summit and Eastwood.
My plan was originally to do spi epoxy, followed by a urethane color from tcp, and spi clear.
I heard tcp regular clear is kinda ok, their speed clear sucks, but spi clear is really good.
But I'm still on the fence about even trying to do a bc/cc.


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[MikeB]

Recently bought some Matrix MCU single stage paint from Rick Ciotti at The Paint Spot in central Texas. Haven't used it yet, but plan to paint my truck's tailgate soon.

I have painted only a few panels over the years -- roof, tailgate, rocker panels, etc -- using only PPG base/clear and enamel. But their prices have grown so ridiculously high, I searched the Internet for alternatives and found The Paint Spot.

Rick is a super knowledgeable guy who has been painting cars for 40 years. He swears by Matrix products, which cost significantly less than the big name brands. Don't get him started on PPG and their mediocre products with rip-off prices!

If he can't sell to you, he'll probably hook you up with a someone in your area. If you are able to buy from him, he'll spend as much time as necessary via phone or e-mail to teach you how to use his products. His "whatever it takes" motto is no BS.

http://thepaintspot.biz/home.html

https://www.matrixsystem.com/en/products/

***Edit: Turns out Rick has moved on to BASF products after Sherwin-Williams bought Matrix, but he still sells Matrix for pre-2013 vehicles. I also noticed he will ship anywhere in the USA. Super guy. Give him a call.

 

[Super-Dave]

Southern Polyurethane
https://www.southernpolyurethanes.com

 

[KilgoreTrout]

Southern Polyurethane
https://www.southernpolyurethanes.com

If they mixed paint, I'd be set. But they dont.
Ive heard good things about their stuff, though.

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[asltrfl]

Bodywork and painting is an art, a very hard art. I've tried my damndest over the years, and I cannot get it, no matter what. I have the utmost respect for anyone that can spend hours, days, even weeks...sanding, blocking, matching, adjusting body panels. Hell, I can build an engine, re-build a trans, set up ring and pinions, do alignments, create wiring looms, obd, tune computers, BUT...I cannot sand a body panel straight, spray anything whithout it dripping, (except a bush with alcohol laden urine), or line up a body panel without somehow putting a dent in it.

Bodywork is definitely an art, and nothing short of it. I used to think, that if I can cut a piece of steel to within .001" of an inch, and make things from metal out of scratch, I could easily do body work...WRONG! I worship you guys, there are way more of us that can build crap, buy parts that are ready made fit, learn how not to strip out bolts, and correct torque values. But learning how to make things beautiful, is the hardest thing to do.

A engine is forgiving, a Trans can overheat and recover, a few foot lbs doesn't really matter. But one overspray, one section of orange-peel, or a mis-aligned door will stand out like a missing exhaust gasket.

Thanks you guys for what you do, an artist is the most under-rated and under paid profession in the Automotive world.

 

[kenn]

I've painted with Summit's paint. It's really not that bad. I was going to choose it again this past year when I was painting a dump truck (yes, dump truck). But they no longer ship to MI because of some interpretation of the shipping laws for my state. Really odd. I even called them and inquired, no luck. Very strange since SPI and Eastwood both still ship to MI.

To that end, I have used both Eastwood's paint (on the dump truck) and SPI (son's F150). Eastwood's isn't bad. It's similar to Summit's line. Certainly not something I would classify as 'top of the line' and not comparable to PPG. By that I mean, it just doesn't have the flow time & properties of PPG. But you pay for that!

I do highly recommend SPI products. I have basically switched to SPI products exclusively, at least for those products they manufacture. For me that means epoxy primer and urethane clear (top coat). Per the previous post, they do also manufacture a nice base coat. But they only make 5 colors (2 reds, orange, white, black). I sprayed my son's F150 in their black (bc/cc). I have to say their black is unbelievable. The depth and purity of the their black is difficult to describe. They use a very pure, extremely finely ground carbon black to make this product. Putting my son's truck next to any other factory painted black and the others appear grey or brown compared to his truck. All of this at really competitive pricing.

And finally, the customer service at SPI is the best. The owner answer's his cell phone 7 days a week if you have any questions or difficulty with their products. I just wish they would make custom mix colors.

Michigan here as well, have summit check for a low voc replacement Went thru same thing with them a month ago. I was able to replace the items they couldn't ship with either a low voc, or a different brand. Was able to order entire paint supplies from summit.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

TCP Global several times, no complaints. Rustoleum, several times, no complaints. Nason once, no complaints.

I don't own anything like a Hemi Cuda, and never will. I can't justify 1k on materials into a 3k driver quality truck.