Painting my old USPS mail truck with Rustoleum (and no experience)

Part 1: • Restoring a Grumman LL...
The rare, exquisite, gruelingly slow-moving beauty of the Grumman LLV. No less subject to the punishing passage of time than you or I, the paint on this was some of the worst I've ever seen.
Fortunately, being made of aluminum, this didn't leave any structural damage, and is nothing some sanding and fresh paint can't restore. I managed this on a shoestring paint budget of just $100 and a few weeks of elbow grease.
Let me know what you think! There were plenty of mistakes and learning opportunities along the way, so please comment if you have any tips or questions about anything at all!

[@PostalDog94]

As sad as I am to see the original clapped out Grumman stripes go, I love the new theme! I sometimes wish mine was more beat up so I wouldn't feel as bad completely redoing all the decals. I love having an toy LLV on the dash, it'll lock in place if you put the rear bumper over the center vent 😆 Also: +1 for a roof deck. I had wanted to do the same with mine, but I frequently park it in 7'+ parking garages downtown Seattle where it only just fits by a finger or two most the time

[@MattWinkler1]

Thanks man! Yeah your LLV has held up a lot better so there's definitely more historical value still there... but it'd still be really cool if you ever decide to redo it in one fashion or another. Turns out my toy LLV can hang on the vent by the front bumper instead, which is a good trick, because it's rolled off onto the floor every time I've jacked up one side of the truck. It has a new safe home though - I just finished installing one of those classic wall mount mail boxes as a glove box lol.

[@AUTOMOTIVEGRAVEYARDLLC]

THIS SHOULD HAVE WAY WAY MORE VIEWS! NICE WORK!

[@nightrunner1456]

A lot of people can't afford a ride, these days.

[@barryismygod]

It now looks Like a race Team parts truck which is cool

[@GamingByBaka]

MORE MAIL TRUCK CONTENT. VW 1.9TDI SWAP WHEN?!

[@MattWinkler1]

Soon! Working on a video on the repairs and another on more cosmetic upgrades. The truck is in pretty good shape, but my camera had issues and there's a lot of footage to edit down haha

[@snezzijezzi9037]

damn this is epic, all you need to do now is swap in the v6 from the Fiero.

[@Michka1001]

Please don't stop making videos, you're awesome man! ❤

[@1wildwackywoman]

That was like a striptease restoration. Well done!

[@nightrunner1456]

Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MattWinkler1]

0:00 - Intro and disassembly 0:58 - Rolling on a little primer and more prep work 2:24 - First proper primer coat 4:13 - Color coats 6:16 - Livery 9:44 - ASMR 11:01 - Finishing touches Some bonus thoughts: - If you have the option, a bigger compressor is absolutely the first thing to upgrade! The small 3 gallon pancake compressor was still better than rattle cans, but pressure wasn't as consistent as I'd like and the small motor meant waiting around for it to "recharge" in the middle of painting. - I'm quite happy with painting on the livery rather than using vinyl decals for the stripes, it should hold up better over time and the design looks especially integrated and intentional up close. - Likewise, I'm happy with how the finish turned out without a clear coat - the low gloss finish is still easy to clean but doesn't highlight the imperfections as much as a mirror gloss. A catalyzed paint would definitely add some extra durability, but they're more expensive and toxic, and as-is this is incredibly easy to repair if needed. - The rattle cans with multiple tips are such an improvement, I wish they all sprayed with a vertical pattern instead of in a big blob. - I no longer feel like I'm going to get tetanus from touching it, which is nice I guess.

[@45AMT]

Looks a heck of a lot better than it did.

[@flixzys1175]

What rattle cans did you use? Turned out awesome!

[@MattWinkler1]

@@flixzys1175 Thanks! The black was the XL can of Rust-Oleum high performance, and the red and blue were Rust-Oleum outdoor (may have been labeled automotive) with the selectable nozzles. The fan spray nozzles are great

[@aaronlane8276]

Good Job! 👏🏻

[@karenstein8261]

Some completely irreverent decor themes: 1. Paint olive drab, mark as “ Ukrainian General Staff.” 2. Wrap in Vvid vinyl, make it a rolling mirror- gloss gold brick. 3. Winnebago scheme, mark as “Munchkin RV.” 4. Police colors, “Small Wheel Auto Truck..” (SWAT) 5. Orange paint, labeled “I-Haul.” 6. UPS brown, gold trim. 7. Paint like a Snap-On tool truck, label “Harbor Freight.” 8. “Men in Black” incident control team truck.. 9. Black and orange, “Harley Motor Cars. “ 10.

[@MattWinkler1]

The Winnebago and Snap-On themes would be hilarious

[@thecoolerTK421]

Fantastic!

[@CableWrestler]

I bet you had a hell of a lot of runs in that paint

[@MattWinkler1]

The paint was incredibly runny during the first primer coat being rolled on! After dialing back the amount of thinner, there were no issues by the last coats.

[@ivanofski]

Great job my dude :D Love from europe

[@MattWinkler1]

Thanks man, appreciate it!

[@lj-jx9qy]

More info on how u bought one I need one

[@stevebennett9750]

An LS swap and you'd be all set :)

[@MattWinkler1]

Nonsense, it already gets from 0-60 eventually! It even makes it up most hills!

[@HAMBYCHARGERGUYGAMING]

If you don't mind me asking how much did you end up getting the LLV for?

[@MattWinkler1]

More than a cheap Miata, but less than an expensive Miata. It's less fun to drive, but more fun to talk about. Jk I paid $5k for it.

[@nighthiker8872]

What I'm looking at doing is designing an Escort Bicycle fund Serve. Each City has over 100, charities and Sponer companies. This is for all ages! groups. I'm looking to have beginner bike runs. 30- miles, 60-miles to 100 miles, runs. The 100- 60-miles would be overnight camping. These runs would be on feeder roads along HWYs. Runs would be for companies, sponsoring a charity. The more people are having a great safe time, the more they will be back, and tell their friends. Carefully mapping out secluded areas, from heavy traffic routes. I want to work with all the realtors, in the area. Who on board with these plans. This is going to be between 50-miles from 2, Maga cities. I plan to have 2 customize, repainted mail trucks with bike flags on the back. Also planning to work with the city hall. To get designated bike path warning signs put-up. All bicycles' groups will need to sign a waiver agreement, and have bike mirror, 4" bike orange or red flag. The Sponers will pay ahead of time, the Escort Bicycle fund Serve. The trucks would have tools to repair bike tires. Also, cold water and towels, first aid. This escort serve would be able to bring over 100 people into the area, weekly. People who are able to purchase homes, and property. Mostly ever week post videos of the bike rides and people enjoying the day. Plus, a camp site, for only 24-hour camping.

[@nighthiker8872]

On the top of the trucks will have emergency flashers. Maybe CB- channel that be able to talk to the front truck.

[@nighthiker8872]

AC-unite on top. All bikes need to be on time and ready to ride between, 7:30 to 8:30am.

[@kntwing23]

look even. better if there no logo martini on the truck...it look stupid with the logo martini on it..