School Me on Latex Paints

quickray

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I know the norm on the forum is to use oil based paints. But is there any reason other than vinyl not sticking to latex?

Does it look bad? Does it crack? What if you're just painting doors with it?

Just wondering. I get it about vinyl/side art not adhering to it, but is that the only reason?
 
Latex isn't very sandable - it just gums up your paper. If you are putting on side art, you want the surface to be smooth.
Side art should stick to it... not sure I've heard that one...
 
IMO, latex paint should be avoided in most cases.

I really only use black latex paint on less-critical areas of a cabinet. (back doors, inside trim, wood bases)

I would personally NEVER use latex paint on the sides of a cabinet. Laminate or GTFO.
 
Also, latex paint can't be sprayed easily. At least without thinning the hell of out of it or having equipment and a space that allows for it. And even if you did, then you might as well just spray an oil-based paint at that point. So if you are even going to bother using latex at all, then you have to either brush it on or roll it. So that's why I only use it in areas that are not looked at often or up close.

I'm sure their are some paint professionals out there with burning ears right now...eager to brag about how they use latex paints all the time and want to prove me wrong. That's fine...I just don't think the juice is ever worth the squeeze. I just hate painting in general. It's crazy time consuming and messy. Which is crazy because I feel like I have painted SO much in this hobby. In fact, painting feels like one of the dominating tasks in restoring a game. Something always needs to be painted.

So quite frankly, I'm actually a big fan of the good ol' fashioned rattle can. It's honestly amazing how good you can make something look with a plain old can of spray paint.

IMO, you can achieve amazing results with a $9 rattle can as long as you follow these 3 simple rules:

1. No matter what you surface is, make it smooth. The smoother the better before spraying.
2. Never paint in the wind. Even the slightest breeze will jack up your finish.
3. Apply multiple light coats.

I restored 2 Red Tents using nothing but rattle cans and I personally think they turned out great. Are they perfect? No, but they are damn close and I saved a fortune by not powder-coating.
 
I have one case I'm planning to paint with latex. I have what was once a Joust cabinet that was converted to an Altered Beast with latex paint on the sides many years ago. It has some gouges in it. I want it as an Altered Beast but I did check by removing a bit of the latex paint with IPA and the original Joust paintwork is still under there. I can't bring myself to strip, sand, or laminate those sides and destroy the Williams paint. So I'm going to repaint it with more latex after some minor repair. Then if some day someone wants to uncover the restore the Joust art, it should be possible and mostly recoverable.

Otherwise I will laminate if possible and use oil based paint if I can't laminate for whatever reason.
 
I cannot school ya on latex paints or latex pants as I don't use latex paints and don't wear latex pants.

However, my 2 cents is do not use latex paints.

Here is my most used formula for cabinets.

Bodywork
I foam roll B-I-N Shellac (sands so nice)
Mucho sanding
I spay Rust-Oleum Satin or Semi-Gloss reduced with acetone and hardener added and shoot with a 3M Accuspray (1.3 tip).

Once you spray you will never stray........

Latex paints for what we do with arcade cabinets just doesn't cut the mustard. For many reasons and some listed above. I know people who spay latex, its looks ok, but not as durable as oil.
 
I have one case I'm planning to paint with latex. I have what was once a Joust cabinet that was converted to an Altered Beast with latex paint on the sides many years ago. It has some gouges in it. I want it as an Altered Beast but I did check by removing a bit of the latex paint with IPA and the original Joust paintwork is still under there. I can't bring myself to strip, sand, or laminate those sides and destroy the Williams paint. So I'm going to repaint it with more latex after some minor repair. Then if some day someone wants to uncover the restore the Joust art, it should be possible and mostly recoverable.

Otherwise I will laminate if possible and use oil based paint if I can't laminate for whatever reason.
I had the same issue with my Moon Patrol, latex over the Williams paint, I used a wide glass scraper carefully and it turned out great…


p
 
*&#^*&$@^ dyslexia.

I thought you said
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latex pants.

My bad.
 
latex sucks. I shifted to automotive enamels years ago and haven't looked back.
 
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