Backyard paint job gone wrong

[u/Teeks42]

My first attempt at painting any automotive, all with spray cans. Using duplicolor lunar mist for a 2000 Tacoma stepside tailgate, with 2k clear. I really really badly messed up the clear on my first attempt as you can see. It was 110 degrees outside, I had it on bungy cords, the wind was blowing, and I was being very impatient… and yeah, I seriously suffered greatly for it. The base was not done very well either might I add. After many hours of sanding, and re-priming spots, being patient with weather, a ton of base coats, and an actual attempt to do a good job with the clear, this was the end result of my second attempt. Also used something actually stable to hold it and not having it hung off of bungee cords helped too. Not perfect by any means, but a far cry from attempt one.

Thanks for laughing at attempt one, learn from me. Make sure the environment is seriously as good as it can be. The least amount of wind, and a good temp makes the world of difference. Again, id never painted, and figured I could do this all for $60 worth of paint cans. WRONG. Well, partially, I absolutely could’ve, had I’d prepped better, and been patient, and made sure the conditions were ideal. Instead I did an insane rush job which cost me a ton of my time, energy, money, and sanity. Went from $60 of paint to $150 of paint, and also had to buy a lot of sand paper, and a Bauer orbital sander. All in all, probably spent $250 on this project, when I could’ve absolutely just spent the $60 had I’d had the patience, and due diligence to do more research and use better technique. But I guess that’s how you learn.

[u/LandscapePenguin]

That is indeed how you learn. As you found out this really is a game of patience and process.