Fun with Monstaliner and learning to paint
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Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Aldie, VA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Fun with Monstaliner and learning to paint
I am building a '98 and it needed some paint work. decided to have some fun with Monstaliner while also learning to paint. After researching all the different bedliner products decided to go with Monstaliner. First step was removing the front and rear bumpers. Luckily nothing was rusted on and everything came out pretty easily. Then removed the hood and started the prep. Sanded everything with 80 grit until the clear coat was no longer shiny. We were doing a two tone on the hood. Lsrge inner panels Monstaliner, other 3 panels chili pepper red. decided to take the portions for paint down to bare metal. Pretty easy with an angle grinder attachment. Then it was self etching primer and then primer sealer. Took the body side molding off. The adhesive Jeep used is a PITA to get off. Took razor blade, then MEK, then wiping and more MEK to get it all the way off. Also had the front bumper corners off so decided to sand those and paint them in trim paint too.
Couple lessons learned with the Monstaliner. If I use a gallon kit again, I would only mix half for the first coat and then mix the other half fresh for the second coat. It was fairly humid when I did this and it started skinning over in the can between coats. This seemed to create little chunks of semi-blotchy pieces that got into the coat. Too much to take off piece by piece.
Monstaliner went on pretty easily except for the extra chunks. Covered the hood panels, lower body line, front/rear bumpers and header panel. I used JB Shopline paint from a local shop. It is a little off form the chili pepper red and I was not real happy with the paint place I went to. They would not do variants unless I bought a pint of the high end paint for $150. I had gotten some touch up in a spray can and it matched much closer than what I used for this. I was also learning to paint. I have found a much friendlier shop that will mix variants in 1/2 pints. I used them for the paint on my 95 YJ. Did a similar thing on it's hood. I have a pretty inexpensive setup. Harbor freight compressor (21 gallon, 2.5 HP, 5.8 CFM @ 40 PSI, 4.7 CFM @ 90 PSI). Used a Campbell Hausfield HVLP spray gun with pretty low SCFM requirements. Put a moisture filter inline and a regulator to keep my pressure at 50 PSI. Had a good respirator and safety goggles too. Finally, used Nason clear coat ($75/quart + activator).
First Imade sure the primer was as smooth as a baby's butt. I definitely learned anything that is even slightly rough will come through to the base coat. Paint went on super smooth and looked great. Put on 3 coats (I used 3 oz. + 1.5 oz reducer). Let that dry for about 1.5 hours and then shot the clear. Clear went on beautifully. Had 1 run where I jerked the paint gun and it dripped. It was vertical and it seemed to spread itself out and blend right in.
I did learn it is hard to mask Monstaliner all the way. I had a little bit of rough edge all the way around the Monstaliner. A black sharpie filled in the slight grey spots. Next up is a a 3.5 lift (either Old Man Emu or Rubicon Express), 31" wheels/tires and bushwhacker flares. Then the headliner, then replace two power door lock actuators not working right.
Couple lessons learned with the Monstaliner. If I use a gallon kit again, I would only mix half for the first coat and then mix the other half fresh for the second coat. It was fairly humid when I did this and it started skinning over in the can between coats. This seemed to create little chunks of semi-blotchy pieces that got into the coat. Too much to take off piece by piece.
Monstaliner went on pretty easily except for the extra chunks. Covered the hood panels, lower body line, front/rear bumpers and header panel. I used JB Shopline paint from a local shop. It is a little off form the chili pepper red and I was not real happy with the paint place I went to. They would not do variants unless I bought a pint of the high end paint for $150. I had gotten some touch up in a spray can and it matched much closer than what I used for this. I was also learning to paint. I have found a much friendlier shop that will mix variants in 1/2 pints. I used them for the paint on my 95 YJ. Did a similar thing on it's hood. I have a pretty inexpensive setup. Harbor freight compressor (21 gallon, 2.5 HP, 5.8 CFM @ 40 PSI, 4.7 CFM @ 90 PSI). Used a Campbell Hausfield HVLP spray gun with pretty low SCFM requirements. Put a moisture filter inline and a regulator to keep my pressure at 50 PSI. Had a good respirator and safety goggles too. Finally, used Nason clear coat ($75/quart + activator).
First Imade sure the primer was as smooth as a baby's butt. I definitely learned anything that is even slightly rough will come through to the base coat. Paint went on super smooth and looked great. Put on 3 coats (I used 3 oz. + 1.5 oz reducer). Let that dry for about 1.5 hours and then shot the clear. Clear went on beautifully. Had 1 run where I jerked the paint gun and it dripped. It was vertical and it seemed to spread itself out and blend right in.
I did learn it is hard to mask Monstaliner all the way. I had a little bit of rough edge all the way around the Monstaliner. A black sharpie filled in the slight grey spots. Next up is a a 3.5 lift (either Old Man Emu or Rubicon Express), 31" wheels/tires and bushwhacker flares. Then the headliner, then replace two power door lock actuators not working right.