About to start painting and need advice..

[darkomen64]

Ok i'm not really sure what kinda paint to use for both primer and main paint.. i'm guessing latex paint is the way to do for both.. but what color primer should i use.. my top coat is gonna be black... was thinking white primer might show though.. altho i'm gonna use 2-3 top coats so it should cover it just fine.. and i would like to use a different color then block for the primer because if you use a different color when you sand the fist top coat it'll show though on the peaks and such so you can get a better look in the final project..

Any suggestions.comments would help..

Also.. any real brands to avoid/use?

[fatfingers]

Oil vs latex seems to be a bit like asking what the best front-end is.   

Personally, I chose latex due to clean-up ease, and everything I did turned out just fine.  I suggest at least one layer of grey primer (white will work also), sanding in between each coat of primer and paint.  3 coats of paint should be good.  And I also suggest you use a foam roller as you will get the smoothest finish that way (unless, of course you're spraying).

Good luck.

[darkomen64]

thanks that was exactly the info i was looking for.. just 1 more question..

about how much of each should it take (2 coats primer 3 top)

1/2 gallon? whole gallon? .. i'm thinking a gallon but not exactly sure

[mrclean]

I used spray primer / paint. Gray Primer.. And Gloss Black paint. I went to Home Depot they are about 2-3 bucks a can the company / brand was called rust-oleum painters touch.

[arzoo]

As a side note - most big home improvement stores (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.) won't even sell oil based paints anymore (due to environmental issues).

[Necro]

Latex would be my suggestion as well.  With oil your going to need thinner and other harsh chemicals to clean brushes, etc. 

Also, foam brushes work well and don't leave streaks.

[fatfingers]

Probably 1/2 gallon of paint, maybe 3/4.