06 tacoma roof rust: Repaint or rhino line?! Opinions wanted

Clear coat from factory failed. I waxed this area 3-4 times a year for my first five years of ownership, then this started to happen.

Wish I could take back all those hours of waxing years ago!

 

Just had my roof painted and some bodywork done on one side of the bed, and the total bill was $1100.

 

Well, that’s what I do also. Clay bar after winter and use Sealant 3 times a yr. I have seen these roofs and hoods rusts like this and always contributed to a lazy owner. Not saying your lazy.

 

I went to FinishMaster and got one of the main automotive brand paints they carry. I already had a spray gun and everything.

I removed the paint with a chemical paint remover (much less energy intensive than sanding)
Then I cleaned up any remaining paint with wire bush on my angle grinder
Applied a chemical rust remover, and sanded down an areas with lingering rust
cleaned off the area and applied a couple coats of base
Couple coats of color and a couple of clear. I didn't do any sanding between coats.
The clear dried with a little orange peel texture, which could have been prevented if I sanded between clear coats.

The final result looked good, just as good as stock, but with the orange peel texture so the roof looked a little more matte than gloss, which was fine by me because the truck was 11 years old and didn't look glossy on any of the body panels.

Since I didn't remove the 3rd brake light or windshield gasket, you could see the paint line form the masking tape if you looked close. I didn't care because it looked better than a rusted roof.

It held up well for a year, and then I sold the truck, so I can't tell you anything further than that. But I was happy with the result and final cost

 

Thanks for the reply! I really don't expect it to turn out to look professional, I'm about ready to throw up my hands and use roll on bed liner! I just don't want it to rust into the metal any further.

 

Funny how things change

First few years I kept this truck SPOTLESS inside and out. It was my baby. Then as time goes on and so do miles, scratches on the paint and mud inside from hunting I started to treat it like the truck it is.

It gets maintained by the book with all mileage and records using top quality oil/Toyota parts , I 99% of the time use non ethanol fuel for mileage and other reasons, and it gets driven like grandpa's truck....babied.

As far as how it looks on the outside, MEH!!!!

I kinda like that it looks like a beater, cause it's easier for me to beat around out hunting in it where before I didn't want it to get all scratched up.

Still runs fantastic!

 

Huh, hadnt considered that option!
Thanks!

 

How was it to apply over the the rain gutters and other bumps and rolls on the roof?

 

Vinyl wrap it.

 

I haven't waxed my truck probably in the last 8 years and the metal panels still look new and glossy. I wash with Optimum No Rinse Wash. I do use a clay towel a couple of times a year to remove all of the contaminants because I work in an area where there is a lot of industrial fall out. The clay towel is much faster to use than a little clay bar. I think this is what kept my clear coat from failing.

Now the plastic part fender flares and bumper are a different story. I already see the clear fading on some spots. I'm going to try to repaint these pieces myself using a spray can based coat and 2k clear.

 

I would sand to bare metal, metal etch primer, rustoleum gloss black, and spray clear coat. Me and my buddy did his black dodge 2 years ago and it still looks good

 

Any pics?

 

I decided to prep and paint myself. People at repaint supply in Arkansas were great to work with for advice and tips. Here's my plan

Sand off all remaining paint with orbital sander and 240 grit pads
Use wax and grease remover on surface
Spray 1 can 2k epoxy primer to surface, let dry at least 1 hour
Next, 2 cans 2k sandable primer with 30 mins between coats, let dry overnight
Sand with 400 grit, finish with 600
2 cans paint mixed by repaint supply to match my paint code, let dry for at least 1 hour no more than 24 hr
Spray on 2 cans 2k urethane clear coat
Sand with 1500 or 2000 grit if needed
Polish

Cost for paint products, 140bucks shipped

Will post results in a few weeks once complete

 

LOL Classic!!! @kuffer14

 

Just had mine painted for $800. Looks great. I wouldn't have spent the $1500 either.