Can I paint my bus with house paint?

[FAC]

I’m not actually considering a normal exterior latex for my bus, but I was looking at my options.

Ideally I want a white matte finish. I know a high gloss can be more durable. My first thought is to use the tractor supply “majic” paint they have and their hardener and reducer. I don’t think they have and choices in gloss though and my experience with current oil base paints makes me feel like they are a bit finicky.

I started looking for other options and saw this https://www.valspar.com/en/products/exterior-paints-primers/metal-building-siding-roof-finish
This seems nice because I can spray it with my airless sprayer, water cleanup and the acrylics I’ve used just seem to not be as picky about surface prep. I am most worried about longevity I think with a product like this.

I am NOT a painter so keep that in mind but I have painted a few houses with good results and a car with not so great results but still acceptable(that’s when I learned thinning with acetone can lower the gloss and not very evenly).I am not looking for an automotive quality finish. Just an even and durable finish. A 20-20 finish if you will. I am open to pretty much all suggestions really and I know there are some pretty experienced painters on here

 

[Danjo-SKO]

Don’t do it! You will regret the use of house paint.

Get implement paint, either rustoleum or the stuff sherwin Williams sells. There are also boat paint options designed to be applied to aluminum boats

 

[Native-SKO]

Don’t do it! You will regret the use of house paint.

Get implement paint, either rustoleum or the stuff sherwin Williams sells. There are also boat paint options designed to be applied to aluminum boats

I concur with this statement.


Many folks have had decent results rolling on the paint ... so if your airless spray system can not spread the paint you select, you may have other options.

 

[peteg59]

"Just Say No" to housepaint!!!

Unless you plan on unloading the bus soon after, but the new owner(s) will be cursing you in short order...

 

[BeNimble]

Yes you can, they paint houses with it after all. I have not noticed any shiny houses that get washed regularly.

 

[FAC]

Thanks everyone, I think I knew that already.

Has anyone sprayed rust oleum or another tractor enamel with an airless sprayer?

 

[Danjo-SKO]

https://wegotschooled.com/2016/05/23/to-paint-a-bus/

Check this out

 

[EastCoastCB]

yeah never use latex house paint. Or really any house paint.

 

[RolesvilleMarina]

No

then No


and no again

never use Latex paint ever

 

[Ronnie-SKO]

I have used an airless sprayer with rustoleum, and if you are careful it will work good. Not show quality but good. Will need to thin it, and also if you want semi gloss buy a quart of deglosser. Mix as needed to get the gloss you want. A real flat finish is not going to happen but a semi gloss is reasonable, and I have used it with rustoleum with good results.



House paint NO. Latex does not adhere well to automotive paint, and it does not have rust resistance.

 

[bus-bro]

I sprayed industrial acrylic enamel with an airless. No problemo. The paint has been on the bus 12 years now.