Advise, spray painting location? In an apartment.

[snowmirage]

I should be finishing up my hitch mounted receiver tonight. I need to put some paint on some of the bare metal.

The problem is I dont really have some place to do it. I suspect the owners of the apartment complex will probably get pretty mad if I do it out in the parking lot even if I put down some news paper. Even if they didnt I dont have some place I can put it to let it dry for 4 or 5 hours. Putting it inside my apartment is probably a bad idea due to the fumes, but maybe it wouldnt be so bad once it sets up a bit, though moving it up 3 flights of stairs after painting it could be hard...

I dont really want to leave my investment sitting in the lot either I'd be pissed if someone walked off with it.

I would just lock it in the hitch and paint it there but part of what needs paint is inaccessible while its mounted.

I also need to toss some paint on my spare wheel, though I can probalby just do that while its mounted.

A friend mentioned just putting down some drop cloth or large sheets of plastic and doing it in my apartment but I think with the fumes that might not be a great idea.

Any ideas?

[Gordinho80]

Do you happen to have any sort of balcony attached to your apartment? I would do it outside.. I wouldn't want spray paint fumes floating around my living space.

[Trail X]

Do you have a balcony? Before I got my larger place w/ garage, I had to do a lot of work outside on the balcony.

[navigator]

If I didn't have any friends, someone from work or church that I could do it at their place I might would do it in phases.

Paint the part that goes into the receiver and lay it on some cardboard in the back of the TB with the windows cracked or something.

The next day paint one side.
The next day paint the other side.

Something like that.

Honestly though, you might find someone to paint it for you or even powder coat it reasonable enough to justify the cost since you wouldn't have to deal with it.

If you weren't 2.5 hrs away you could come here and do it.
Rory (NC_Island_Runner) is in Sanford about an hr away, he might be close enough you could do it there if he has a place to do it. I might not leave it at his house though, it might "disappear" j/k.

[janesy86]

I used to paint on my balcony at my last place, but my current apt does not have one. I usually just put some cardboard down in the parking lot and paint there, then place whatever I'm painting in the back of the TB, windows cracked.

[Gordinho80]

Probably your best bet... paint it outside... let it sit for a little as you drink a beer or something. Majority of the fumes will blow away... then leave it in the TB with the windows cracked. Your truck will smell like paint for a few days, but driving around with open windows will help.

[snowmirage]

Ya unfortuently I don't have a balcony. Its a 3rd floor apartment (top floor) with external access, so the door to my apartment is kind of on a "public balcony" if that makes sense. I could probably do it there and just cover everything up really well and hope my neighbors to turn me in. but then still no place to put it while it finishes drying. I suppose maybe once it sets up for a few min I could set it inside the apartment and hope the residual fumes aren't so bad.

Or do the same but leave it in the back of the truck with the windows cracked I guess.

All my friends down here are in the same boat as me, small apartments while we are on a summer internship with no balcony...

Man did I ever take my garage for granted! haha

I normally wouldnt mind driving out to meet some fellow members and do it there but I leave for vaction this weekend and wanted to get it done before I go.

[navigator]

if you are in a rush, use a rattle can and "hit the high spots" then do a better job when you get back and have more time.

[snowmirage]

Its not so much that I dont have time to do a good job with the rattle can its just a matter of finding some place to let it dry where it wont get stolen or kill me with the fumes. I think if I let it dry partially I can probably then bring it inside my apartment on some news paper / cardboard I guess.

[Trail X]

Put it in the bathroom and turn on the exhaust fan. That will keep the fumes inside the bathroom.

[MrSmithsTB]

Put it in the bathroom and turn on the exhaust fan. That will keep the fumes inside the bathroom.

Good call.


If that doesn't appeal to you, do what the others are saying. Set up the back of the TB like a little spray booth. Paint it and let it dry long enough to handle. Bring is in the house and then throw it in the bathroom to let it fully cure. Or paint it next to the TB and while it is drying, wash the truck. Or do some mods, etc.

[chevycrew]

Grab a couple movies and a laptop, go to a large local parking lot. Throw down some cardboard and paint away. Hang out while it dries.

For inside, dont do it.

Unless you cover all walls and floor in the bathroom with plastic, then seal off the cracks around the door with tape after you paint leaving the fan on. Still I bet the apartment will stink for a week.

[Trail X]

I didn't mean to paint inside the bathroom, but if you're looking for a place for it to dry, the bathroom fan will at least keep the fumes out of your apartment.

[snowmirage]

Ya thats a good idea actually, I didnt think of just shutting it up in the bathroom with the fan on while it drys. I think I'll do that tommorow if I can get time.