Repainting box - primer?

[andyray]

I'm re painting a Craigslist find, on a budget. Box is in decent shape, although there are some areas that need attention rust wise. After reading a lot of threads here I'm planning on going with Rustoleum Sunrise Red.

I'm going to sand it down where it needs it, and bang out a few dents. I'll use body filler if I have to but currently not planning on it. I would prefer not to remove all the original paint.

Which primer should I use? I'm lost in the sea of rustolem primer products. My local ACE has Automotive Primer, Self Etching Primer, Sandable Primer, Filler Primer, Rust Reformer, and some sort of Premium primer....all rustoleum products, and their web site isn't much help.

Basically I want to block any future rust, smooth out what I can, and have the paint stick to the box in the sanded areas as well as where it has original paint. (Pic attached)

Thanks!

 

[Wi Fire 10]

I have been really disappointed by rustoleum, and nearly all other spray paint can products, as far as it being a a durable, long lasting, coating. It looks great when its first done, but just doesn't hold up to any kind of wear. I would try to find out some info on a more premium paint that could be applied with a spray gun.

 

[1982fxr]

Would using a roller on the body (not drawers) be the worst finish ever or could you get it to look decent?

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I have been really disappointed by rustoleum, and nearly all other spray paint can products, as far as it being a a durable, long lasting, coating. It looks great when its first done, but just doesn't hold up to any kind of wear. I would try to find out some info on a more premium paint that could be applied with a spray gun.

x2

Personally I'd look into having it professionally stripped...you'd probably be suprised how cheap it really is...then use Epoxy Primer or Self Etching and a nice single stage Urethane topcoat.

 

[XFIRE]

I see that you wrote you wanted a "budget" solution so to that approach Wal-mart paint would work just as well since it is a Sherwin Williams product.
If you're concerned about badly rusted areas, I would prep with some Ospho; that will stop any rust and acts as an excellent primer. Also, since you are using rattle cans, you will always get a better result if the can has a "fan spray" nozzle. The rustoleum self etching is fair, but I have found it usually needs some sanding before a finish coat is applied. The GBP 988 self-etching primer - Sherwin Williams is great but pricey at $12 a can. Rustoleum Hi Performance Enamel is the best finish you can get out of a can.

 

[andyray]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm trying to stick to a budget on this.....probably about $100. I've only got about $60 in the box, but if I spend 200-300 redoing it, plus 10-15 hrs of my own labor, I might should have just bought a nicer one at a pawn shop. I'll enjoy the project, but trying not to spend $700 on a $300 box if you follow me. In the end this is a spare box that will probably keep rarely used tools.

I'll ask about having it blasted, what do you think a decent price is?

And as far as getting a single stage urethane, any specific recommendations, and ballpark cost?

 

[andyray]

I see that you wrote you wanted a "budget" solution so to that approach Wal-mart paint would work just as well since it is a Sherwin Williams product.
If you're concerned about badly rusted areas, I would prep with some Ospho; that will stop any rust and acts as an excellent primer. Also, since you are using rattle cans, you will always get a better result if the can has a "fan spray" nozzle. The rustoleum self etching is fair, but I have found it usually needs some sanding before a finish coat is applied. The GBP 988 self-etching primer - Sherwin Williams is great but pricey at $12 a can. Rustoleum Hi Performance Enamel is the best finish you can get out of a can.

Thanks for the tip on Walmart.

I was actually thinking of shooting a couple quarts through a cheap hvlp spray gun vs. rattle cans. Had read some reports of people having success with that after reducing with mineral spirits.

 

[XFIRE]

Don't think I would blast it..... unless you can find someone who can do it with a synthetic media and NOT sand which would be much too strong.
Try a powder coating shop, they usually know how to blast.

I use 4th Dimension S.Williams when I need a single stage. But again, you will only need a pint of color and then a gallon of reducer and a 1/2 pint of hardener which will end up close to the $100 area.

If you buy a cheap enamel and thin it with spirits, you probably won't be happy with the result and it won't last as nearly long a the urethane nor will it be resistant to any solvents, gasoline, or other chemicals that may come into contact with the box.