![CTP CTP logo](/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ctp-black.png)
![Feature Feature star](/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/red-star.png)
BY TOMMY LEE BYRDPhotography BY The Author
![Budget Black a rough K5 Blazer with a flat black paint job](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack-feature.jpg)
![Budget Black Budget Black typography](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_typography.png)
he old adage “you get what you pay for” rings true for just about every aspect of building an old truck. Whether it comes to parts, supplies, or labor costs, a “cheap” job usually doesn’t produce the best possible outcome. But, in the case of our rough and ragged K5 Blazer, we wanted to freshen up its appearance without spending much money. We know the truck will get used and abused, but the idea is to give it a much cleaner appearance. With so many options for paint, we opted for the most affordable, which is Rust-Oleum oil-based enamel. This is not standard automotive paint, so it can be found on the shelf of your local hardware store or it can be sourced online.
If we wanted to upgrade our materials to something nicer, Summit Racing has several great choices for affordable flat black paint, but the idea in this article is to show you how we took a rough K5 and made it a little more presentable for about $100 all together. That includes the cost of the paint, acetone (thinner), masking tape, masking paper, sand paper, and even the spray gun! We’ve had great luck out of the purple HVLP Gravity Feed guns from Harbor Freight—they’re usually priced at less than $20 and they are an excellent value.
We shopped around to find the best deals on supplies, but we did splurge when it came to masking tape, as the cheap stuff is usually more trouble than it’s worth. Between Harbor Freight and Summit Racing we were able to pick up everything that we needed. Our truck needed a little bit of additional work, so we also spent some money on body filler and primer, but the basic paintjob could’ve been accomplished without the underlying bodywork. You will also need to spend a few bucks on a respirator if you don’t already have one in the shop. For the average “scuff and shoot” paintjob, you can expect to spend about $100, which is well worth the money and time when you consider the big difference it made on our project. The Rust-Oleum paint is also great for using on frame and suspension components, so it’s a good idea to keep some of this stuff around the shop for all types of projects. Take a look at how it transformed our worn-out Blazer and put these tips to use on your budget-friendly project.
![Our starting point full view of a parked ’87 Chevrolet K5 Blazer with paint wear](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_01.jpg)
![Fuel sloshing view of the fuel door with faded paint directly below](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_02.jpg)
![Items we’re removing mechanic removes the crudely trimmed wheelwell moldings](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_03.jpg)
![Problem areas passenger side of vehicle post sanding](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_04.jpg)
![Final sanding mechanic uses 320-grit wet-or-dry sandpaper to sand the back driver side](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_05.jpg)
![Thoroughly sanded mechanic goes over sanded are with a red scuff pad](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_06.jpg)
![Tape and line mechanic masks and tapes the car windows](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_07.jpg)
![A quick weekend project view of the car in a garage with all openings masked and taped](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_08.jpg)
![Wax and grease remover wax and grease remover are used to clean the surface of the car](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_09.jpg)
![Oil-based enamel paint a new can of Rust-Oleum oil-based enamel paint](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_10.jpg)
![Pop the lid and stir the Rust-Oleum oil-based enamel paint is mixed and prepared for use](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_11.jpg)
![2:1 ratio mechanic creates paint an acetone mixture](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_12.jpg)
![Keep debris out a strainer is used to keep debris out of the cup as it is poured into the paint gun](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_13.jpg)
![Test panels mechanic test sprays the car to get the right pattern and pressure](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_14.jpg)
![Pressure settings mechanic uses a Harbor Freight HVLP Gravity Feed gun to find the right paint spray pressure](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_15.jpg)
![Making our way mechanic uses pre-mixed paint and acetone mixture to cover large areas](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_16.jpg)
![Glossy sheen close angled view of rough glossy appearance of freshly applied paint](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_17.jpg)
![Let the first coat dry front view of the Blazer with one coat of flat black paint](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_18.jpg)
![Coat number two front view of the Blazer with two coats of flat black paint](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_19.jpg)
![Dry it immediately full view of the finished Blazer with a new, budgeted flat paint job](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_20.jpg)
![Happy with the results close, angled view of the flat black Blazer](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BudgetBlack_21.jpg)