Painting the Dart

[Tad]

I’m thinking about painting my 65 dart since I’m stuck at home due to the coronavirus. Any advice on how to go about that? If it’s already got paint on it that is mostly not affected by rust can I just rough that up and paint over?

 

[Professor Fate]

Looks like you've got some rust issues to address in those rear quarters. If you paint over that, it'll be coming through before you know it, it won't take long. Then you'll just have another coat of paint to deal with and have to do it all over anyways. IMO, not money well spent.

 

[Tad]

Looks like you've got some rust issues to address in those rear quarters. If you paint over that, it'll be coming through before you know it, it won't take long. Then you'll just have another coat of paint to deal with and have to do it all over anyways. IMO, not money well spent.

Yes there’s a couple small areas. The worst is a softball size hole on the underside of the rear quarter. Other than that just some surface rust. I plan on cleaning that up but was wondering if I needed to remove all of the other paint before respraying or if that’s already a good base?

 

[Demonic]

wondering if I needed to remove all of the other paint before respraying or if that’s already a good base?

You need to prep the surface appropriately. You don't have to strip it to bare metal as long as there's no rust or surface issues. Lots of folks do a scuff and shoot for a daily driver paint job. I'd recommend a good book on auto body and paint. Paint is only as good as what is under it.

Automotive Bodywork & Rust Repair

How to Paint Your Car on a Budget

 

[Frodee]

Looks like a nice ride and well worth the effort to do it right the first time your money ahead if you plan on keeping it but that's just me. I'd strip it down to metal and take it all apart and redo the car the right way but if you can repaint it and keep the rust down a bit than not a bad thing in my thinking. Professor Fate and Demonic are right take care of the rust and look into it a bit more before you decide to just throw paint on it.
It is your car we are all here to just give pointers on our opinion but you have a nice car and hate to see it done wrong.

 

[Tad]

Looks like a nice ride and well worth the effort to do it right the first time your money ahead if you plan on keeping it but that's just me. I'd strip it down to metal and take it all apart and redo the car the right way but if you can repaint it and keep the rust down a bit than not a bad thing in my thinking. Professor Fate and Demonic are right take care of the rust and look into it a bit more before you decide to just throw paint on it.
It is your car we are all here to just give pointers on our opinion but you have a nice car and hate to see it done wrong.

Thank you. I know totally stripping it is the right way. I have a 69 super bee totally stripped and being restored right now. I do t think I can manage two. Just wanted to make the dart look a bit nicer in the meantime. Although it looks ok patina too. My wife hates the hood and scoops being a different color.

 

[Frodee]

View attachment 1715492341
Thank you. I know totally stripping it is the right way. I have a 69 super bee totally stripped and being restored right now. I do t think I can manage two. Just wanted to make the dart look a bit nicer in the meantime. Although it looks ok patina too. My wife hates the hood and scoops being a different color.

Another nice ride looks good.
I don't blame you one project at a time and if you can clean the Dart up some yea would do the same.

 

[Bodyperson]

View attachment 1715492341
Thank you. I know totally stripping it is the right way. I have a 69 super bee totally stripped and being restored right now. I do t think I can manage two. Just wanted to make the dart look a bit nicer in the meantime. Although it looks ok patina too. My wife hates the hood and scoops being a different color.

I like the patina. I'd fix the rust and just paint the lower two tone trying to match the old paint but I'm old and tired. I concur with your wife on the scoops.

 

[Bodyperson]

I like the patina. I'd fix the rust and just paint the lower two tone trying to match the old paint but I'm old and tired. I concur with your wife on the scoops.

Oh... and I'll guarantee you that the rest of that rust is not surface rust.

 

[dahdgedaht]

View attachment 1715492341
Thank you. I know totally stripping it is the right way. I have a 69 super bee totally stripped and being restored right now. I do t think I can manage two. Just wanted to make the dart look a bit nicer in the meantime. Although it looks ok patina too. My wife hates the hood and scoops being a different color.

If it was my car...
I would paint the hood, scoops and roof area to the trim silver or a nice grey that goes well with the main color then take the 340 stickers off the quarter panels. Leave the rest alone other than maybe treating the quarter rust with something to slow it down. Maybe use the same hood/roof paint and do the lower areas to match after cleaning up the rust. I bet that would give new life to the car.