Ford Ranger paint restoration (rolled on)

I only post this here because it's my truck. However, the methods and procedures to make it look good is very applicable to our wagons. Stormin' Norman roller painted his wagon 2 years ago and it looks fantastic. My inspriration actually. He's the only one I feel that I know that has done a roller job. There are many places on the internet that explains the process so I won't repeat them. To make a long story short 40% of the factory paint peeled off the truck. It looked horrible. I've owned it since new and have maintained the Ranger very well but the paint....

Here's a few shots:

 

Man! Does that look great!

There's an extra couple of bonusses to this method. You can touch it up yourself, and this rust paint doesn't fade, which is probably a big thing in Sunny, Hot California.

You should be able to get the shine up after about 2 weeks, with a good buffer. I just used turtlewax the first time, because it has fine abrasive, but a rubbing compound and those finer buffing pads do wonders too.

Nice work Steve.

I'll bet your neighbours start asking. Nothin' like keeping a few grand in your pocket.

 

Well done!

 

Thanks, I chose the "haze gray" in deference to my 26 years in the Navy and Rustoleum (Tremclad) didn't have a blue that I liked.

For those who do not want to spend big bucks on the old wagon. This method is great but I'm in no hurry to do it again. 8 days of non stop work to get it done and with the two tone it was tape, un-tape, re-tape, un-tape, retape etc, etc, etc. I also chose the good week to do it. Mid-70's all week. This weekend we'll be in the 109* range. I dodged the big bullet with the weather.

 

I may have to get the state to give me new license plates. Mine are looking a bit sad with the new paint.:banghead3:

 

Lookin very fresh tbird!

 

The Prep work is always a lengthy process, spraying or rolling.

I was thinking that if I ever repaint mine without the woodgrain, that it would be easier, but from what you say, maybe not. hmmm...

 

Looks beautiful, Steve.

 

Excellent job, Steve. Looks brand new.
I guess it was in the late 80's early 90's where Ford had a huge problem with the blacks and silvers on their pick ups. It was such a defect that for a period, they'd repaint the whole thing even if you were well out of warranty. (I think the problem also affected Tauruses.) Unfortunately, that program was over years ago, but take consolation in the fact that it was a factory defect and not from your lack of maintenance or care.

 

When it was 2 and 1/2 years old the hood peeled off in one big sheet right after a snow fall. Very wierd as there was a layer of water between the paint and the primer. Two months later the roof let go. 10 years later the bed sides peeled. They fixed the hood and roof under warrentee. The service manager said they had an unwritten garrentee that Ford would pay for paint up to five years. The thinking was that the primer was too smooth to retain the paint. I believe it. The primer was like glass smooth.

 

Update!!!

I'm finally, after 18 months calling the Ranger project done, four months shy of it's 20th birthday.

I finally did a final wet sand and polish, rolled on a Herculiner bed liner in the bed, sanded and polished the wheels and repainted the center caps. Now it's going to the Toys for Tots show this coming Saturday.

It also got new tires about 6 months ago.

I seem to take my time on things.

Remember the before:



The After:
The very carefully recreated factory orange peel on the hood:


The rest:

 

The bedliner:

 

Gotta tell ya, bird.....you and Norm have done wonders with that roller! That truck looks great! And it will probably outlast a multitude of engines!

 

Awesome TBird! Sure buffed up nice!

 

Man, that came out nice!