What Type of Paint Do you Use?

Samelak

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I've checked out several threads on stenciling, but I can't figure out what type of paint everyone is using. Kilz seems to be the go to for the base coat, but what type of paint for the actual colors/stenciling? Is it something that I can get at Home Depot or are you using automotive paint (this option seems really expensive)? Is the paint thinned for spraying? What ratio do you use? I have to repaint/stencil a Scramble and would like to try spraying the paint...possibly with a Harbor Freight turbine all-in-one sprayer. Could use the help or just some suggestions.
 
Best results, automotive urethane (requires equipment, practice to develop skill)

Good results, go with the latex or enamel basecoat and then rattle can the stencil colors. (Easy, less tools, anybody can do it)
 
Automotive would be great, but that has to be expensive. Do you spray the enamel?

Best results, automotive urethane (requires equipment, practice to develop skill)

Good results, go with the latex or enamel basecoat and then rattle can the stencil colors. (Easy, less tools, anybody can do it)
 
Automotive would be great, but that has to be expensive. Do you spray the enamel?

You can spray enamel, reduce it with acetone.

A great gun to use is the $15 purple HVLP gun at harbor freight. It requires 5-6 CFM at 40 psi tho, so make sure your compressor is big enough to handle it.

Enamel stays open (wet) longer so you will have to wait a bit before you peel and put the next color layer on. Urethane dries in minutes. You need clear coat the urethane (the hardest part to learn) enamel you don't have to.

I have no experience with airless sprayers.

But if you go the HVLP route and properly learn it, you will take your restores to a whole new level.
 
Have you used the enamel with Kilz as a basecoat or did you use something else?
 
Have you used the enamel with Kilz as a basecoat or did you use something else?

Are you talking about Kilz as a primer? And then sprayed enamel over it for your base color coat?

If that is what you are talking about, then you will not have a problem.

If you are talking about Kilz as a basecoat color, then using enamel as a your stencil colors...you shouldn't have a problem. I believe that Kilz is oil based..(atleast the primer I use is....But maybe I'm wrong all of it is?) enamel is oil based as well.

Whatever you use, after it completely cures and you lay your lay your stencils down make sure you scuff the areas that will be painted with a red scotch brite pad to give each subsequent layer adhesion, you can get those from Home Depot.
 
As far as what I've done in the past, when I first started this hobby....I primed with oil based Kilz primer, sanded, then used latex base colors reduced with flotrol, sanding 320 between each coat to knock down Orange peel. It looked good, but it's not durable at all.

Now, I only use automotive urethane basecoat/clear coat systems.

Although, I was just at JAX (farm supply store) and saw they have a really nice selection of tractor paint enamels, specifically an orange-red that would be perfect for a red donkey kong I may use in the future. It's only about $30 a gallon and its a one shot deal.

Both systems are much more durable (you get a hard finish like a car)

When I paint a cab using automotive urethane, including high build primers and sealers, typically spend about $300 in supplies....and that's on the low end.

What cabinet are you looking to paint and stencil?
 
Great stuff...used on kitchen cabinets. Nice hard finish. Should last a lifetime:

IMG_5440.jpg
 
Great stuff...used on kitchen cabinets. Nice hard finish. Should last a lifetime:

IMG_5440.jpg

So that is tinted and are you using that as a base coat, CW, with no primer? How are you applying it? With a roller? I am almost finished bondo-ing up my Joust Cab and will be ready to paint soon.
 
So that is tinted and are you using that as a base coat, CW, with no primer? How are you applying it? With a roller? I am almost finished bondo-ing up my Joust Cab and will be ready to paint soon.

I use another laquer that is a basecoat by the same brand. In this case a white basecoat on the bare sanded Moon Patrol sides. Then the tinted laquer paint. Stuffs not cheap though. $50 cdn a can for the basecoat, and $80 cdn for the finishing coat with a tint.

I take my empty cabs now to my friends cabinetry shop where I prep, bondo, do repairs, and sand.

My buddy then prepares the paints I buy and does all the spraying for me in his paint booth. I am slowly learning, but the past few I watched him paint, as he is such a pro.

These paints dry fast and hard. Perfect for arcades.

Find a local kitchen cabinet shop and work out a deal to use their facility.

I personally do not like the finished result of rolling no matter what method is used.
 
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