I have really bad fading on my hood and top of vehicle. My color code is 1A1, Anthracite Metalic. It is the dark grey metalic color. I found this placehttp://www.automotivetouchup.com/pai...paint_code.htm
along with others, but I think this site looked the best and had the best rates.
the question is, I have a rather large area to paint and need to know how much paint to buy. Should I buy 12oz spray cans for 21$ each, and 7$ for 12 clear coat spray can, or should I buy a quart and use a spray gun?

anyone have any thoughts on how many spray cans it would take to cover the top of a 3rd gen and the hood?

 

I would try taking it to a detail shop first to see if they can rub it out.If you go the painting route use a spray gun or have someone do it w/ a spray booth,never seen a rattle can job that looked halfway decent.

 

I have that exact color, with paint fading in those exact places on my 4Runner. Actually, it's more than fading... The clear coat has come off, and actually on the roof it's bare metal in much of the area. The hood isn't as bad though. I plan on getting the hood and roof repainted next year after winter is over and out, and I already got quoted $1,400 to get it done at one place, but I have connections with one of the best body places in town who says he'll get it done for $600, which is a screaming deal. I would definately not go the "do it yourself" route on this one, an auto's paint is something that should look very good. But to really answer your question, you'd probably be best going the

I do have a question though, did you take very good care of your truck's paint? Frequent waxing on the roof and hood? I know those spots get the hottest which is why the paint is bad, but I'd like to hope that once I get the spots repainted that if I take good care of it, the paint won't fade and chip away again. I always make sure I have a good coat of wax, but unfortunately the previous owner didn't have that same concern.

But to answer your question, if you choose not to get it done professionally, definately get a quart or two and use a spray gun. Much more even application (assuming you do it right) and less chance of it running. Either way, let me know how it goes!

 

it is a 96 and I just got it this year, so my best bet is that it sat out in the 300 days of year of sunshine that we get in san diego and never was waxed. And yes, my clear coat is pretty much fried, it is pretty bad. And the roof is really really bad. I think mine prabably looks just like yours does. The previous owner told me that this was a problem with that particular color. I think that the new paint won't have the same problem. I bought the truck to go wheeling, so there is no way I'm shelling out more than 200$ to get it looking good. I think even spray can will look WAY better than it does now. You pretty much can't make it look any worse. I might just leave it for a while, I don't know. IMHO, I don't think you should spend 600 on your paint. Mine has 140K on it, and paying that much for paint just doens't make sense. Ill keep this post updated...