Expert: Michael Kakuk - 9/28/2009

Question
Hey, I rear ended a person about a month ago. My whole front end was destroyed but salvageable. Everything works perfect now, but my fenders/hood/bumper are primed color...I was wondering, since I'm incredibly low on cash right now, is it ok to buy factory matching aerosol paint and paint the parts? I understand that it won't be a clean, balanced, professional paint job, but would it suffice for a few years perhaps? Also, if I do paint the parts, is there any Aerosol clear coats that would work? How do they stack up to professional clear coat jobs? Would painting the parts on my own and having a professional clear coat it work better? Thanks for taking the time to read this. Hope to hear from you.

Answer
DANTE..... I UNDERSTAND THAT MONEY IS TIGHT SO HERE IS A SUGGESTION...
HOW ABOUT WAITING UNTIL YOU HAVE SOME MONEY AND HAVE THE WHOLE CAR RESPRAYED BY A MAACO ?

THE END RESULT WOULD LOOK BETTER THAN WHAT YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT DOING.
I SPRAYED THE HOOD ON A HONDA WITH AEROSOL CANS AND IT LOOKED LIKE CRAP. AND I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING....THE CAN DRIPPED FROM THE NOZZLE THE FIRST TIME...SO I BOUGHT A CHEAPO SPRAY CAN HOLDER THAT HAS A TRIGGER....THEN THE SPRAY CAN LOST PRESSURE EXACTLEY WHEN IT COULDN'T BE WORSE AND I ENDED UP WITH SOME DRY SPOTS.

SO NOW I'M REALLY MAD AT MYSELF AND RESANDED THE HOOD AND THEN REMOVED IT AND HUNG IT FROM THE GARAGE RAFTERS THINKING I HAD THE PROBLEM LICKED....3 CANS LATER I HAD A PASSABLE END RESULT BUT I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS.

MY THINKING IS THAT A MAACO PAINT JOB FOR 400-500 BUCKS IS STILL CHEAPER THAN REFINISHING THE FRONT END AND YOU GET THE WHOLE CAR DONE.

GOOD LUCK