paint enough or topcoat it too?

[siropa]

Finishing up cab #2. Painting it a satin black. Is it good enough to leave it just painted or should I topcoat it with poly, lacquer or shellac or something too?

[CJK]

Depends on how durable you want the finish to be.

-- Chris

[koolmoecraig]

Paint is more than fine. Just do it RIGHT. Don't half ass it like alot of people do.

Sand it down to bare wood.
Primer.
Sand.
Primer.
Sand.
Paint.
Sand.
Paint.
Sand.
Paint.
Extremely fine(2000 grit) sand.

It will look like a friggin mirror if you TAKE YOUR TIME.

Peace.

[siropa]

I've never used 2 coats of primer on any painting i've ever done. Does that make a big difference?

[Q*Bert_OP]

Paint is more than fine. Just do it RIGHT. Don't half ass it like alot of people do.

Sand it down to bare wood.
Primer.
Sand.
Primer.
Sand.
Paint.
Sand.
Paint.
Sand.
Paint.
Extremely fine(2000 grit) sand.

It will look like a friggin mirror if you TAKE YOUR TIME.

Peace.

that's a lota work!

[ChadTower]

I've never used 2 coats of primer on any painting i've ever done. Does that make a big difference?

Yes.  90% of paint results is the amount of prep work you do.  10% is the actual painting.

[pointdablame]

that's a lota work!

It's the only way to get a really nice paint job.

[siropa]

What grit to you recomend for between most of the coats? does sound like a lot of work, but I suppose a weeks worth of time now to finish it right will make me much happer down the road with it.

[ChadTower]

Don't remember specifically, something like 750.  Not rough enough to take much paint off but rough enough to take off paint based protrusions (e.g. drips, roller edge marks).

[Tahnok]

Hmm... I heard that you should use around 300 grit for between coats. Also, do use two coats of primer. I didn't on one of my cabs and regretted it when I started painting. One or two parts of the cab that I thought I covered well started sucking in paint and giving a poor finish.

[siropa]

I know when i've got poly finishing on woodworking projects i've used a 300 or 400 between coats. just never sanded paint before. haven't really painted many projects. I'm starting with the primer tonight hopefully.

[ChadTower]

I wouldn't use anything as rough as 300 grit after the primer coats are in, but everyone does it slightly differently.

[ShinAce]

I use 1000 grit between the last 2 coats, and 2500 final. I'll use 320 but very lightly initially.

Also, If you put 2 coats of an oil based paint, that will be more durable than 2 coats of primer, 3 coats of enamel spray paint, and clear coat. Enamel paints are just flaky without the perfect primer.

Durability: oil paint and a brush

Finish: primer, sandpaper, paint and clear coat.

[Veinman]

I sanded with 150, then 400.
Primer coat 1
Sand w 400
Primer coat 2
Sand w 400
Paint
Sand w 400
Paint


And left it at that. Mine isn't fully operational yet, so we'll see how it holds up.

[koolmoecraig]

Paint is more than fine. Just do it RIGHT. Don't half ass it like alot of people do.

Sand it down to bare wood.
Primer.
Sand.
Primer.
Sand.
Paint.
Sand.
Paint.
Sand.
Paint.
Extremely fine(2000 grit) sand.

It will look like a friggin mirror if you TAKE YOUR TIME.

Peace.

that's a lota work!

Yup. Am my Q*Bert thanks me everyday for it. Do you have a Q*Bert?

[rebfx]

hey. will a cheap wagner sprayer help/hinder/ or have no real effect on the process?

[RayB]

Q's:
Do you hand-sand or is it ok to use a "Mouse" sander?

What kind of roller do you use that doesn't leave little bumps n stuff on the final coat?

[ChadTower]

The sanding is to remove those little bumps.  The last coat should be light enough that you won't get any. 

[Veinman]

Use a roller for smooth surfaces.