Painting cabinet?

[mytymaus007]

Ok i painted my first coat of primer on my cabinet. Cabinet is regular plywood sanded to a smooth finish. i used Zinner bin primer. I rolled a nice thin 1st coat with a 6 inch foam roller made for cabinets. The end result was a rough finish, figured that much. I then started to sand using 220 grit but easily got fustrated do to clogging of the paper. Can anyone tell me what to expect from sanding down after the first coat. Should i sand it to its totally smooth or build up the coats of primer first and do a rough sand inbetween. Has anyone been succesful in getting a perfect smooth finish by painting, if so can you tell me the sanding method and paint you used.

[Hoopz]

This is THE guide to painting.  If it says to do something, do it!   

This is basically what  I did:

1.  Sanded MDF with 600 grit to get it as smooth as possible
2.  Applied OIL-based primer - rolled on with a 4" foam roller (2 coats).  Sanding after the 2nd coat with 220 grit.
3.  Applied water-based pink paint - rolled on with a 4" foam roller (6 coats).  Sanding after the 2nd, 4th and 5th coats with 220 grit.
4.  Sprayed on 25 coats of lacquer straight from the can - no sanding.
5.  Wetsanded like crazy with 1500 grit - I spent 8 hours just on this step
6.  Applied rubbing compound with soft cotton rag (2 coats)
7.  Applied polish with soft cotton rag and buffer (2 coats)

HERE are a few good shots of the difference the rubbing compound/polish makes.

I did not have access to any spraying tools/materials, unfortunately.  The lacquer was easy to apply though - I did it all in one weekend since each coat dried in 20 minutes.  I couldn't get it perfect but the finish still looks 1,000,000 times better than leaving brushstrokes on there with ordinary paint, IMO.  It almost looks like it came from the factory or something.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do - I'd be happy to answer any questions if I can...   

[mytymaus007]

This is THE guide to painting.  If it says to do something, do it!   

This is basically what  I did:

1.  Sanded MDF with 600 grit to get it as smooth as possible
2.  Applied OIL-based primer - rolled on with a 4" foam roller (2 coats).  Sanding after the 2nd coat with 220 grit.
3.  Applied water-based pink paint - rolled on with a 4" foam roller (6 coats).  Sanding after the 2nd, 4th and 5th coats with 220 grit.
4.  Sprayed on 25 coats of lacquer straight from the can - no sanding.
5.  Wetsanded like crazy with 1500 grit - I spent 8 hours just on this step
6.  Applied rubbing compound with soft cotton rag (2 coats)
7.  Applied polish with soft cotton rag and buffer (2 coats)

HERE are a few good shots of the difference the rubbing compound/polish makes.

I did not have access to any spraying tools/materials, unfortunately.  The lacquer was easy to apply though - I did it all in one weekend since each coat dried in 20 minutes.  I couldn't get it perfect but the finish still looks 1,000,000 times better than leaving brushstrokes on there with ordinary paint, IMO.  It almost looks like it came from the factory or something.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do - I'd be happy to answer any questions if I can...   
Did you use a palm sander when using the 220 grit any pics of your can sounds amazing I want to be able to brush my hair when i look at the side of my cab

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Did you use a palm sander when using the 220 grit any pics of your cab sounds amazing I want to be able to brush my hair when i look at the side of my cab
 Oh yeh what brand lacquer did you use

[jennifer]

   
        Spray it....!!!!!!!. nice even wet coats, even the primer. A bad primer base will ultimatly result into a bad paintjob. Before you spend buku on
equipment however, You may want to take a good look at say engine enamels [spraycan] this will give the shine and durability your seeking.
     2k urathanes are what I use, not a cheap solution, but a awsome, automotive grade finish.
         Laquer is pretty much outdated , requiring buffing to get any kind of shine.

[Ond]

Has anyone been succesful in getting a perfect smooth finish by painting, if so can you tell me the sanding method and paint you used.

Yes.



see my project thread for how.

[mytymaus007]

Has anyone been succesful in getting a perfect smooth finish by painting, if so can you tell me the sanding method and paint you used.

Yes.



see my project thread for how.

Where is your project thread

[shrunkenmaster]

Here's Ond's amazing build thread. I suggest reading the whole thing - countless tips from a very skilled chap.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=88912.0