Job box, Use Rustoleum, Rust. Pro, or Tractor Paint?

[boseefus402]

I have a big 60" piano hinge job box that needs to be repainted. It's off the job site and is delegated to home use only so i want it a little nicer and I want to repaint it.

I can't spray it with a gun and it's too huge to use rattle cans so I am stuck to roller/brush. Ive read all those threads about painting cars with rustoleum severely thinned.

Anyone do anything similar? Should I use rustoleum "stop rust", rustoleum professional, or tractor paint? How much should i thin it to use a foam roller and foam brush and not leave brush strokes. I am fine painting it with 2 or 3 coats and wet sanding in spots to get rid of a run or two but not interested in painting it 7-8 times and wet sanding the whole thing 5 times like in the car threads.

 

[BlindViper]

I dont know what your budget is and you didnt ask about it. But my buddy just had the one I gave him line-x'd. You might be able to use the roll on bed liner?

 

[jhelrey]

You can paint cars now with a roll on type of material. I have heard it looks great.

Look into it at your local body shop or google it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

When i repainted my tool box, I used some Herculiner on the back and bottom. It went on with a foam roller.

Just another option for you.

 

[burnitwithfire]

2-3 thinned coats won't provide proper coverage. That's why people painting their car have to do lots of coats. If you're painting it the same or a similar color you might get away with it.

 

[dumper]

I have been thinking of painting my Knaack box, as well, for no reason in particular except I think it would be nice if it was black. It is just a tool box, with small dents and scratches everywhere. That is one of the benefits of this type of tool storage. I am thinking of doing a rough sanding job, then rolling on a few coats of rustoleum. I am hoping that will be good enough- it is not living room furniture.

 

[JHunter]

I painted my car hauler (flat bed) with the dense foam rollers and straight tractor paint (not thinned) and it came out great - not 'show quality', but its a trailer - just like its a job box. I learned that for the best (smoothest) coverage, don't re-roll over the initial coat until its dry - by going over it a couple times while its wet you'll get some bubbles. Let the first coat dry, even if its not totally covered, then go back for a second if needed. The tractor paint from Tractor Supply Company is what I used, and it flowed out real well.

 

[jhelrey]

The steel tool box I have in my pickup truck was white. I bought a bunch of $.99 cans of spray paint from the local big box store and it works great. When it gets scratched bad, I just hit it with some paint quick. Zero issues with flaking, etc.

If you look at the back of the can, it is the same stuff as an $8 can.

 

[Keyblazer]

Rollered Rustoleum works...
I did it on my Wilderness camper.

Started with...

First Coats...

Rubbed out..

Interim stage...

If you want a good finish... It can be done!

End result

 

[boseefus402]

Keyblazer, was that thinned at all or straight?

 

[Mufrat62]

Keyblazer, what size roller did you use and what was the density of the roller-fine course, medium?? You did an awesome job, how many coats??

 

[Keyblazer]

Thinned maybe 50/50 with Min Spirits.
Small foam rollers... about maybe 7 coats....
No prep except a wipedown with Min spirits...
Holding up well all except around the gas cap.
Thanks guys!

 

[Industrial Concepts]

I painted my car hauler (flat bed) with the dense foam rollers and straight tractor paint (not thinned) and it came out great - not 'show quality', but its a trailer - just like its a job box. I learned that for the best (smoothest) coverage, don't re-roll over the initial coat until its dry - by going over it a couple times while its wet you'll get some bubbles. Let the first coat dry, even if its not totally covered, then go back for a second if needed. The tractor paint from Tractor Supply Company is what I used, and it flowed out real well.

Old Sign Painter tricks:
Scuff sand the box
Get a couple of foam rollers
a small can of a product called Penetrol or a few drops of Linseed Oil to thin your enamel (Rustoleum) paint.

Roll a good coat of paint on, work it in, after you get the substrate coated & before the paint tacky take your roller (loaded with paint) drag it across the wet paint to get any bubbles out. The paint should flow out nicely.

I've done this for many years when I was in the Sign Business.

 

[Keyblazer]

Umm,
I better explain a bit... I did buff some of it out as shown in the pic, but then I kinda felt it was not what I wanted... I rerollered it again to give a satin/semigloss look.