What's the best car paint for durability?

[GunsMadeAmericaFree]

My son and I have been slowly wire brushing, sanding and then painting a 1969 ford. I decided to just use oil based white Rustoleum from the hardware store. Big mistake - after less than a year, there are already cracks showing up. Some gasoline overflowed the gas tank one hot day when I was parked on a slope, and the paint all around that area also sloughed off and wrinkled up.

We have just been putting it on with a fine brush, to make it look nicer, but now I feel like we have wasted our time if it cracks and comes off that easily.

Perhaps I need to use something to completely take off all of the old paint down to the primer first? What would you guys recommend for that?

Then I'd like a paint that is very resistant to cracking and weather, plus resistant to anything like gasoline. (I have since replaced the gas cap, but you never know) I don't want it to come off easily, and I'd like for it to last at least 6 years or more. I don't want to have to keep doing this over and over.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[Raizinman]

I would suggest that you use Nitrile paint. You can get it from Sherwin-Williams. This is the type of paint used to paint aircrafts. Make sure you ask for the Aerospace paint. It is very tough, durable and flexible. It is expensive though.

 

[Squeetard]

Dupont Imron. End of story. Toughest paint going.

 

[herm0016]

awlgrip is also very good paint. Made to paint ocean going boats.

are you using a good etching primer first? block sanding?

 

[Pacfanweb]

Dupont Imron. End of story. Toughest paint going.

This is what I was going to post.

It's not something you'd use as a beginner in your backyard or garage, though.

But it's DAMN tough.

 

[yhelothar]

Polyurethane > acrylic urethane > acrylic enamel

The rustoleum stuff is acrylic enamel. You want to at the very least have a urethane based clear coat to have the best durability.

 

[boomerang]

This post can't be for real. Who in the world would paint a car with Rustoleum using a brush? Where does the OP live, Cuba?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Remind me to never buy a car from gunsmadeamericastupid.

 

[natto fire]

Remind me to never buy a car from gunsmadeamericastupid.

Will do, Californiamadeamericapretentious!

 

[bryanl]

I don't know what nitrile paint is, but nitrocellulose lacquer, sometimes called nitro lacquer, would not be a good choice because lacquer is more prone to cracking than any other type of auto paint, and lacquers in general are much more permeable to moisture than enamels and urethanes are. Enamel is good but will remain too soft to refinish for months, unless baked or a catalyst hardened enamel is used. Paint mixed with catalyst can completely cure in less than an hour.

The easiest paint to apply is white, followed by any solid color that isn't black. Solid colors don't need clear coat, and if you decide to skip the clear coat and you buy from an automotive paint supplier, specify this or they'll sell you non-glossy paint meant to be covered with clear coat.