LUVTruck.com

I have always wanted a LUV of my own since I was a Kid. Learned to drive on my grandfathers 76. Got my chance and picked one up for $300. But any ways, the truck has quite a bit of surface rust and I dont have the money right now to get a new paint job on it. Any suggestions? I thought about just grinding down the rusty spots and spray painting the entire truck with a flat black rust inhibitor. Im only 23 and have never really done this type of thing but I want to learn. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

This is a very wide open subject...to much to answer in detail here. Forget the word GRIND unless you are grinding out a section to replace. I have painted alot of vehicles and my best advice I can think to give you is....if you're going to do this yourself (and there is no reason why you shouldn't as long as you don't expect it to look absolutely perfect) is to find some online video's or rent some. Take a look at Horsepowertv.com and also EASTWOOD.com. If this is your first project of this magnitude don't expect miracles of yourself.

_________________
In life there is the "Way things should be" and then "There's the way they are".

2005 Silverado 3/4T Crew Cab
1981 Luv 2WD
1979 Luv 4x4 Currently going through Open Heart and Cosmetic surgery
1995 Roughneck JetBoat
1981 Luv parts trk

sand it down to bare metal starting with 80 grit and working up to 220 or go from 80 to 220 primer it with auto spraypaint primer. and after it dries clean with a dry rag check for oil spots silicone marks that the paint wont stick too get rid of them easy by sanding everything to bare metal. and paint it hot rod flat black. boom shakalocka

_________________
1980 Chevy LUV 4x4 Weberfied Sold
1974 Chevy LUV 4x4 Weberfied

Looks like a pretty decent truck to start with. If I can take this truck...




And turn it into this...



With just lots of sanding, a little bondo, some spot putty and using Rustoleum rattle can primer and spray paint, then you should be able to as well. I didn't sand it all to bare metal, just the rust spots, but it took lots of time to fill those spots back in. It probably would have been less time consuming to just take it all down to bare metal. I didn't put that much thought into it though until after I started it. It isn't a pro done perfect job, and I have put tons of hours into it, but it still looks way better than what I started with! The truck sat in a barn for 7 years and the birds did a number on it. I have had it for 7 years and haven't really worked on it in about 3 years. I just have to finish color sanding and polishing and do some touch up painting. If I ever get back to it there surely will be pics to come. I originally was only going to primer it or use flat black. Then I decided to paint it too while everything was torn apart. Then I figured I might as well start color sanding to make it look even better. Probably anything you do will improve what you have. Good luck with the truck and welcome to the site!

_________________
http://www.purerockradio.net/

Im going to offer a different approach . I have heard that CLR & warm water will turn/remove alot of the surface rust . Google it for more information and proper / success full mixing info . Im going to say give it a good cleaning before any grinding starts , you might be surprised whats under there . I wouldn't dismiss a wet sand and buff . It would be worth a try and good practice for new paint if it won't clean up .

2nd , if it is too far gone , I say skip the spray can step and look into the $14 purple harbor frieght spray gun and 2 part paints such as eastwoods as refered to above . And most important of all is protective equipment . Get a good respirator as a minimum . Any type paint or dust is bad for your health .

Yeah, great advice. I should have had a better respirator than the painting dust mask I used. I painted my truck in my garage in December of 2007 and I think I used like 8 or 10 cans of Rustoleum. I put on 5 coats and the cheap mask kept out most of the paint over spray, but my lungs hurt and felt like they were on fire for a while that day. Probably from the other chemicals in the paint. I should have waited for a real nice calm warm day and did it outside. I probably should have bought a spray gun as well. I guess you learn over time and hind sight is always 20/20.

_________________
http://www.purerockradio.net/

You have to decide what type of job you want to do with it. My paint gun is an old Binks model 7. State of the art back in the 80's when I got it. I'm still using it today but if I had to buy one it would be one of the Gravity feed HVLP instead of a Siphon feed like I have. Paint guns are expensive if you get a good one.

You can sand all the spots down using 120 grit then to 180 then to 220-240 if you have a DA sander. This is known as Feather Edging because you can see all the layers as you sand it out but if you edge it out right then you won't feel them. Then use a good primer/sealer and follow the directions on the brand that you go with and when it's all done....paint it.

If money is tight, shop around, Google TRINITY paints online. They have alot of colors and still have it in Acrylic Enamel and Acrylic Laquer. Also still offer entire kits for a more than affordable price. I haven't used them myself but I know some who have with good results. You can still get a fairly cheap paint from PPG Dupont depending on the color. I have still only scratched the surface of how to paint your vehicle. I have been told POR 15 works for rust inhibiting and neautrilizing. Eastwood's has their own product of this type as well. I've never used any of them...have always chosen to eliminate rust the old school way and then prep and paint. Good luck with whatever you do. Takes Pics, keep us posted and have fun doing it.

_________________
In life there is the "Way things should be" and then "There's the way they are".

2005 Silverado 3/4T Crew Cab
1981 Luv 2WD
1979 Luv 4x4 Currently going through Open Heart and Cosmetic surgery
1995 Roughneck JetBoat
1981 Luv parts trk

Thanks for all the advice. But I got impatient and just look on here before I started. I just took a grinder with a wire brush and took all the rusty spots down to bare metal and then just sprayed with a flat black rust inhibiting spray paint. Looks loads better and will seal it up good to stop the rust until I can restore it fully. Also I met a guy who has 2 luvs that he is going to get scrapped. As far as I know there just part cars. I'm willing to saPve them if people are in need of parts. Not looking to make money just want to help everyone else out who loves these trucks. Also how rare are parts for these trucks?

Cool, post up some pics when you are done painting. As for parts, it all depends on what it is. A perfect dash and straight front bumper are the holy grail of parts. Other stuff might make better paper weights. Someone probably will always end up needing something though.

_________________
http://www.purerockradio.net/

Welcome to the site. Theres alot of good people here with alot of information. So don't be afraid to ask questions. Congradulations on your first Luv. Thats where it all starts. Post picks and keep us informed.

_________________
Missing the LUV.

What Ive done so far. Dosnt look perfect but it looks a lot better than the rust yellow it was before.

and another pic

Still have to paint the truck bed them ill be done!

Lookin good!

_________________
My Wife is faster than you think you are