Painting problem with Nintendo cab

[AnalogKid]

Hey all..

I came across a gutted Popeye cab that I am converting to a Mame box.  I got a foam roller and Rustoleum semi gloss black paint and had horrible results. The only way I can describe how it looks is like melting wax - it's kind of dripping.   This is on the part that I put on the with roller. I tried using a brush to paint areas that I couldnt do with the roller, and it was like the paint wasn't sticking to the primer very well. I tried sanding out the "melted wax" areas, but I found the paint will peel off with not much effort.
 I know I am going to have to remove the paint, sand and start over, but wondering if picked the wrong product to prime/paint with.

Here is what I did to create this disaster:
Stripped the original paint off with paint stripper
Puttied in the gouges then sanded entire outside of cab with 80 grit
Sanded with 100 grit
Sanded with 200 grit, then used shop vac, then a rag, then tack cloth to remove dust
Used Rustoleum spray can primer for wood - 2 coats
Sanded with 200 grit, then used shop vac, then a rag, then tack cloth to remove dust
Surface was very smooth (maybe too smooth??)and clean to touch
Painted with Rustoleum semi gloss black latex with foam roller

I am wondering if the outer surface of the cab is something other than wood - it has a different texture than the inside(which looks like "normal" wood) . There is no wood grain or anything visible on the outside surface, but I can't really see where there is a layer of anything attached to the wood part either.

Hope that makes sense,and any advice is greatly appreciated.

[AlanS17]

It soundss like the outer surface is sealed with something, but I'm not familiar enough with Nintendo cabs to say for sure.

I've never heard of anything being too smooth to paint. The smoother the better. Are you trying to paint it in a vertical position? If so, I'd lay it down and do one side at a time.

Did the primer go on well? Also, how well is your paint mixed?

[ptpeter]

hey, could you post a pic or two?

[Ken Layton]

Nintendo cabinets are covered in Formica. Paint doesn't stick to Formica and it scratches off or falls right back off easily.

[johnvv]

Nintendo cabinets are covered in Formica. Paint doesn't stick to Formica and it scratches off or falls right back off easily.

If that's the case, then automotive primer is probably the only solution - it has an epoxy component to it and will hold to that type of surface.  Of course, automotive primer is much more complicated to apply but will produce an excellent sandable surface.  A bit more info is at:

http://www.rgvac.com/restoration.asp?projid=16

I've used the following auto primer with excellent results:

http://www.evercoat.com/productDetail.aspx?pID=171

If you go that route, ***read the instruction***!!!  This is powerful and potentially dangerous (healthwise) stuff.  Take proper precauations - mask, well-ventilated area, etc.

You should also use spray gun for the primer and paint.

A simpler option is to talk to some local auto paint places and see if they'll do a deal on priming and painting the cab for you.  Others have reported be able to do it for $100 to $200.  With an auto primer, you can also use auto paint, of which there are many cool colors.  Check some of the old threads.

[AlanS17]

If all you want is a black cabinet, you could apply formica for the same price as a professional paint job (assuming you have the tools and the know-how).

[AnalogKid]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I am going with Ken's suggestion that it is formica layer on the outside. Unfortunately, my woodworking skills are second only to my collection of tools, so putting formica on top is probably beyond my skill set.  And I doubt my wife would let me spend more money to get it professionaly coated with an automotive primer.

I did google "how to paint formica" and several websites suggested using Bullseye 1-2-3  primer for "hard to stick to" surfaces.  Anyone had any experience with Bullseye(or something similar) or am I barking up the wrong tree?

I'll post some pictures of my current paint disaster before I sand it down and start over, just for future reference of what not to do

AK

[johnvv]

Zinsser (Bullseye 1-2-3) and Killz both make great primers.  Check each manufacturer's website for any additional notes for applying to formica. 

I'd also recommend you purchase your primer and paint at a paint store (Dunn-Edwards, Kelly Moore, etc.).  They should be able to help in your product selection and provide some other tips on preparing and painting formica.