In another thread, I mentioned a Rustoleum product - a rubberized spray that comes in colors and is usable for coating tool handles and such, and is suitable for outdoor use. I suspected it might make a good coating for the lower panels on our trucks to protect against rock chipping, and bought/tested a can of the stuff - it seemed to be pretty good stuff!

Since my truck is white, I bought a total of 4 spray cans of the stuff to do my truck - it comes in white, black, blue, yellow, red, and clear - maybe others too, but that's all the local Yardbirds stocks.

Here's what the rear quarter panel behind my rear wheel looked like before I started:

 

... And here's what it looks like after painting with the stuff pictured in the can - I applied it pretty heavy in the lower areas, and feathered it out more thinly up higher on the panel to prevent too thick a "lip" on the parting edge:

 

Here's the prep work prior to applying the stuff - I first carefully washed the lower area to be painted with a strong dishwashing solution - then masked off, and wiped the area to be painted with alcohol to remove any grease...

 

And here's an overall pic of the completed job - about half a day's work, and 4 $5 cans of coating - lot's cheaper than the 7-$800 the local Line-X shop wanted for the same job! Probably not as long lasting and durable as the Line-X would be, but for the money, I can re-do it as needed and still be WAY ahead!

 

[quote author=doodah link=board=7;threadid=17558;start=#164457 date=1059269435]<br>looks good! now, only if they made it in driftwood silver!!! ;D <br>[/quote]<br><br>HEY - the CLEAR stuff matches EVERYTHING!

 

[quote author=royB link=board=7;threadid=17558;start=#164471 date=1059272483]<br>Looks great! Did you say in a previous thread that you were going to test it on something first? I guess it must have tested out ok, but would like some details on the testing part too.<br><br>Roy<br>[/quote]<br><br>I mainly tested it for how thick it applied, and the color match with the white on my truck - as well as how easy it was to build up heavier layers as desired, and what the finish was like when it was thoroughly dry...<br><br>The color is slightly lighter than my truck, but nothing that really draws attention - will be interested in seeing what, if any color changes occur - didn't wanna take a year or two to check THAT out, so took a chance... ;D<br><br>The layers are easily controlled - simply spray on more in later coats after 20 minutes or so drying time - absolutely no runs anywhere. The finish when dry is tough, not glossy, but not flat either, with the texture it has. It's sort of a mix between rubber and plastic in feel - very durable looking - if you really dig a fingernail into it, you CAN leave a small indentation, but tearing or chipping looks to be VERY difficult - I think it will work out well - sure lots better than the plain stock paint does... ;D ;D

 

[quote author=Paul Guthrie link=board=7;threadid=17558;start=0#164692 date=1059359810]<br>Looks good. Where can you buy the stuff?<br>[/quote]<br><br>I bought mine at the local Yardbirds store - but most anyplace that sell Rustoleum spray paints will either have it, or can get it for you - cost $4.99 a can locally, and used 3 cans on my truck - how much you use will depend on how thick you want it. I sample-sprayed and old air conditioner case with a couple of moderate layers, and then after about 5 days, tried hitting it with a length of rusty strap iron to see if it would chip - no harmful effect, then I tried gouging thru the stuff with pretty hard force, and the most I could manage was to leave some minor surface scratching that did not penetrate the stuff, and could not even be seen from a couple of feet back.<br><br>I used about 4 THICK coats on the lower sections of my truck, and progressively less up higher on the sides. The photos above are sorta deceiving, the color difference isn't nearly as noticeable in &quot;real life&quot;, and out in direct sunlight, the colors look identical - only the difference in the texture is slightly visible..<br><br>I'm really happy with the stuff so far - but we'll see what time and miles do to that opinion... ;D ;D