Can I spray paint my 1990 Volvo wagon?

Question

I have a 1990 Volvo wagon. I live in sunny cal, and the burgundy paint is so worn out due to age/exposure to light. I really want to do something about it since I have about 3 weeks before I start college and I'm pretty bored.

I was wondering what I could do to paint it myself. I have 2 options as of now

1.) spray paint it.

2.) buy some exterior semi-gloss paint and apply it with a roller (possibly after applying a primer coat)

would any of these options be feasible? I can't afford to spend 500+ on a legit paint job.

thanks a bunch

Answer 1

Honestly...yes! Considering it is not worth too much, and if the original paint is that lousy now, then yes I would spray paint it to make it look more presentable. You have little to lose.

Here is a good way to approach this that has worked for me...

1. Find the cheapest enamel paint that most closely matches the original color. You don't want to change the color too much from what is in the door jambs so as not to waste your time and make the job look worse. I would stick to that 98 cent a can stuff at Wal-Mart. If you can find a burgandy paint at Wal-Mart that will work, there is no need to spend five bucks a can on something like Duplicolor at the auto parts stores since you are not trying to touch up.

2. Wash the car with a strong soap the day before and let it dry throughly. Make sure it is dry, and then use some inexpensive Wal-Mart spray primer just on the areas that have the paint missing on them. There is no need for you to primer the whole car under these circumstances, just any body parts that have significant paint loss. Washing the car with a strong soap like dishpan soap will remove the old wax build up, but remember to let it dry overnight. Also, this would be a good time to practice paint a object to get the idea on how to spray paint effectively out of a can before you attempt to paint your car this way!

2. After mid day or so, when the car body and paint has warmed up, and if it is relatively warm outside only, mask off one small section at a time and paint it with long strokes of the spray can. Do just one small section at a time, and mask off the other areas including the glass with old newspapers and painters tape that is easily removed because you want to concentrate on a section at a time. Don't worry about any minor overspray, splatters and mistakes as it will level itself out and this is going to be never as perfect as a paint booth job, but it can still look hooptie decent!!!

For example, do just the roof one day, then the hood and front fenders the next day, and the doors the next day, then the trunk and quarter panels and under the bumpers the next day! You want to start painting the highest parts of the car first and work your way down. Pretty soon, the whole car will be painted burgandy again for probably less than thirty dollars!!! Also remember that it will take a few days to dry completely, so be as careful as possible with the fresh paint areas, don't put masking tape directly on the fresh paint sections and don't wash the car for a couple of weeks at least so the paint will completely cure.

It can be done, and burgandy is an easy color to match. I have done this myself on delivery vehicles and was pleased with the results! Just start with a clean car and work fast in a garage if possible, if no garage is available, then on a non-windy day in the shade away from the road and not directly under a tree!

Good luck.

Answer 2

It is possible, I've seen a few jobs done like that come out pretty good. The biggest problems you'll face is dirt/dust flying in the air and sticking to the paint while it's drying. But if you do go this route, make sure you do sand off the old paint and get a primer coat on there too.

Answer 3

sure you can paint it, if you want to.
be sure to cover the windows etc. well, or spray will get onto places you dont want it.

it may not look super shiny, but a good spray paint with a clear gloss coat on top can look pretty good.

btw, be sure to spray at least 3 coats, buffing in between, for the best results.

Answer 4

you can do it, but chances are it will where off pretty quickly. something realy cool to try, paint it yellow, and tape of 2 racing stripes down the middle, then paint them black. my friend did that 2 his tuck with normal spray paint and it looks sick. He also put a taxi sign on top (chicks love it)

p.s. your gona need alot of cans of paint, and unless ur good at spray painting its gona come out blotchy or runny, never put the paint on to heavy, do it little by little or it will run and look terrible

Answer 5

If you have to ask this question, then you probably need to know that when you spray your car, there's a little arrow on top of the nozzle that you want to point toward the car.

Most people that do something like that use a brush and get creative.

Answer 6

Spray paint..

Answer 7

College student..
California...

I say sixties era flowers painted randomly.

see hippy dippy love machine going down the road

Answer 8

It's your car, you're the one that'll be seen in it, but spary paint looks like spary paint LOL

Answer 9

yeah spray paint it.

Answer 10

make sure you don't make your self embarrass good luck