Paint: semi gloss, gloss or flat

[Richardgregory]

Just curious what the consensus is for the shine of paint for a cab that would look best.

[yotsuya]

Satin acrylic enamel

[mgb]

Satin acrylic enamel

This, without a doubt.

[Louis Tully]

.

[Richardgregory]

These are spray can paints?

It's more challenging than paint using a roller no?

[Louis Tully]

.

[mgb]

I would use a roller or Wagner type sprayer

[yotsuya]

I use the Wooster rollers from Home Depot. Can't go wrong.

[Richardgregory]

I'm going to get some good rollers for sure....I should be using high density foam ones no?

On a side note:  my friend who has stripped an old cab as well has white melamine/laminate on top of chip wood....it's smooth and even after a slight sanding using 150 grit it still feels smooth. I hope the primer will stick to it. 

[yotsuya]

I'm going to get some good rollers for sure....I should be using high density foam ones no?

On a side note:  my friend who has stripped an old cab as well has white melamine/laminate on top of chip wood....it's smooth and even after a slight sanding using 150 grit it still feels smooth. I hope the primer will stick to it.

Did you buy that primer for plastics???

[Richardgregory]

Yup....primer was bought.  It'll be interesting to see how well it adheres to the surface

[yotsuya]

You should be fine. Don't rush it. Spray it on, let it dry, sand out any bumps, and you should be golden.

[DeLuSioNal29]

+1 - Satin all the way.  I've tried gloss but it dries way too shiny for my taste.  Satin is perfect.  I also used Rustoleum's brand (oil based) applied with a roller.  You can use a foam brush for areas where the roller will not fit first, then finish up with the foam roller.

P.S. - I've tried latex water based paint and hated it.  The only advantage (to me) is that it cleans up easier with soap and water.  But it took me many coats of latex based paint to get it looking "perfect".  Oil based for me coated better.

DeLuSioNaL29

[jdbailey1206]

I had some troubles with oil based paints.  It could be I had my cab too close to my wood burning stove when I was painting it and the oil began to seep from the paint.  Oh well. 

Water based latex for me seems to go on easier with less sanding.  I've used all the brands listed here and all of them work well.  On my FF Jr. cab I used gloss, semi gloss, and flat but the outside was satin and it left a great finish. 

I would also recommend using a foam roller.  Using a wool based roller tends to leave behind little clumps of material that you have to sand away when dry. 

[michelevit]

the best and easiest finish for me is rustoleum satin black. Its available at home depot or lowes.
i thin it with acetone or laquer and spray it with a harbor freight touch up gun. lays down nice and flat and dries quick. no need to primer on new clean wood.

this is the gun that works best.

http://www.harborfreight.com/adjustable-detail-spray-gun-92126.html

[ChadTower]

This is good info.  I've never done a true cabinet repaint before and I have several coming up.  First up is a Pole Position that I'm probably going to just paint white and leave the artwork for a later time when I have the cash to blow on it.

[jdbailey1206]

Ive personally never used a gun though I want to.  Using the foam roller leaves a great finished texture.

[yotsuya]

Ive personally never used a gun though I want to.  Using the foam roller leaves a great finished texture.

Same here.

[DeLuSioNal29]

+1 although I'd love to try it one day.  It's a bit expensive though since a compressor is needed no?

I've also wanted to try black laminate as well.

D

[mgb]

+1 although I'd love to try it one day.  It's a bit expensive though since a compressor is needed no?

I've also wanted to try black laminate as well.

D

I know laminating costs more but I would never go with paint again.
Laminate is the best.
Unless its marbled

[jdbailey1206]

Unless its marbled

Or has lightning bolts...

[Saneless]

I have a paint gun. Figured I'd try it for at least the first coat. Seemed to do fine on our fence

[Richardgregory]

I agree....if I was to do a new build I would use  black laminate that's already glued on....my local lumber shop has boards like that but are not MDF.

[Richardgregory]

Satin acrylic enamel

So it has a bit of sheen/gloss correct?

[yotsuya]

Satin acrylic enamel

So it has a bit of sheen/gloss correct?

Yes, but not super shiny or fingerprint attracty

[mgb]

Satin acrylic enamel

So it has a bit of sheen/gloss correct?

Yes, but not super shiny or fingerprint attracty

I'd say its got a very similar sheen to black laminate or the black vinyl that would be on a comercial arcade cab