Painting a M37

[slk]

Now before I ask this question don't jump on me too bad. I was just wondering if anyone has painted their M37 with Rustoleum Olive drab paint. I was looking at a paint chart the other day and they do make an Olive paint that matches the original pretty good. Wonder if I added hardner to the paint would it be decent. The price of 1 gal automotive paint is $100. The price of rustoleum is about $25

Thoughts????

Steve

[hbb]

Steve
I have painted with rustoleum olive drab paint and the problem I had with it that it faded real bad real fast.
hb

[slk]

Yes that is a problem that i could see happening. I have painted tractors with Vansickle paint. It is pretty good but fades as well. It is real good paint and holds up great but fades. I just hate to spend a lot on paint for something that is not going to be a show truck. I wish there was something out there for $50-$70 that would surfice.

I do not know what the fire dept painted mine with when they got it from the millitary, but it was kept inside so that helped. It is red and faded, but will take a wax.

What did Dodge paint with originaly? Enamel or Lacquer.......

Steve

[Lifer]

They used plain old-fashioned enamel. It's getting pretty hard to find now-a-days, what with all the "green" politically-correctness going around. All paints will fade eventually...some just last longer than others. Don't worry about not having a shiny surface, either. The original paints were either semi-gloss or flat finishes. Dunno about other branches, but the Air Force T.O. says not to wax the vehicle, either.

[Tom @ Snake River]

I just always buy my enamel paint from RAPCO in TX.
A gallon runs $32.50 plus freight. And then you will have it done right. I also recommend the matching primer.

[MSeriesRebuild]

Gillespie from RAPCO is as good as it gets at that price. We use it on some projects.

If you have a real concern about fading, you'll need to consider a more modern paint that has a clear coat on top of it, and a lot more cash to purchase.

[hbb]

I guess i should have stated that the rustolium paint faded faster than most paints on the market.As was stated buy the others all paints will fade unless you are painting a clear coat with a UV protect-or powder coating.

[Josh]

UV is what makes it fade, and exposure to oxygen in the atmosphere. if you topcoat with a flat or semi flat clearcoar with UV blockers in it it will hold up much longer. It will also give you a layer of easily repairable topcoat to help absorb stone impacts and scratches. Clear isnt that bad cost wise, and if you spray the truck after it is assembled, you can do the whole thing with a gallon, assuming the standard 4:1 mix ratio of hardener.

[slk]

I called Army Jeep Parts. They are the other distributer of the Gillespie paint in PA. They claim it would take 4 gallons to paint an M37. I find that hard to beleive unless the paint does not cover well. I am in MN. Can't seam to find a supplier here that has heard of that paint. It looks like I may have to order the stuff and pay the hazmat fee that is close to the cost of a gallon of paint. Now if I do need 4 gallons the hazmat fee in not so bad.

Steve

[MSeriesRebuild]

I called Army Jeep Parts. They are the other distributer of the Gillespie paint in PA. They claim it would take 4 gallons to paint an M37. I find that hard to beleive unless the paint does not cover well. I am in MN. Can't seam to find a supplier here that has heard of that paint. It looks like I may have to order the stuff and pay the hazmat fee that is close to the cost of a gallon of paint. Now if I do need 4 gallons the hazmat fee in not so bad.

Steve

Their claim is exactly right on the need for 4 gallons. We just did a fully assembled M37 2 weeks ago, it took 4 gallons and 1 quart for the complete job. We use about 7 gallons when we do a disassembled truck to paint all sides of every piece. Gillespie covers well generally speaking, but you must realize that while it's a decent product for the price; it is not a really high end paint by any stretch. It is what it is, and what can one expect from a product at $32 per gallon? High end paints go for $200 per gallon, plus these days. The clear that goes over that is around $250 per gallon, then there is the reducer and hardener to be blended in with both the color and clear; that comes at a premium price also. Nothing cheap about high end painting these days.

[Josh]

Charles is right on the money, no pun intended.

IT cost me about $1500 in supplies to do mine, by the time you factor in wax and grease remover, sand paper, masking tape, masking paper, base, clear, harndeners, reducers, gun cleaners, epoxy primers, sealers, high build primers, etc.

It is all very simple, nothing to be afraid of, just takes time.

90% of a good paint job is prep.

[cuz]

Steve,
Check with John at Midwest Military and Gary Wirth at Hastings. They have used a locally mixed paint that works quite well and looks very good. John also stocks the Gillespie paint right there in Prior Lake MN.

[slk]

Thanks Wes I will give him a call Monday. I have a call into Gary and hopefuly he will give me a shout back when he get home. At least they both live close to me.

Steve