Paint for shiny finish?

[Retro_SA]

What paint should I use to get a shiny finish on my cabinet?  Or doesn't it matter as long as you sand it down between coats?  It's a mdf cabinet and I want to paint it black.

[javeryh]

How much work are you willing to put in?   

[lanman31337]

You can top coat with high gloss polyurethane if you like, it'll be *very* shiny

[Ian]

Just go to your local Sherwin Williams, and ask for a gloss, to a high gloss. If you prime it first, it should only need one coat of paint.

[Yarb]

I used automotive paint and clear coat and it's shiny, REALLY shiny 

Yarb

[RoninEditor]

I'm using the Rustoleum (sp?) Latex Enamel High Gloss - Black.  I love it so far, matches EXACTLY the texture of my over/under Happ coindoor.  It's definitely shiny but has a subtle texture to it.

I have two layer of primer and three coats of the above-mentioned paint, sanding with 400 grit for the first two layers, 600 grit for the last three black ones.

Someone mentioned using just one coat... personally, I disagree... if you want it done right, you need at least two coats, three to be safe.  You want all of the gaps covered... this hobby isn't cheap so do it right, ya know?  It's a bee-yotch to do and is extremely time-consuming, but you'll thank yourself for not rushing it.

[michelevit]

i painted some woodworking projects, including control box with a piano finish.
the best way to do it is with a spray finish. I use an hvlp automotive touch up gun.

real briefly...


start with automotive primer
spray heavy and thick
sand smooth up to 600 grit
spray more primer
sand again

spray color
sand smooth up to 600 grit

spray hardened clear coat
sand up to 2000 grit

hand polish with compound.

[Jdurg]

You know, in some cases having a few brush marks or "not-smooth" areas may add some character to a cabinet.  On my cab, I've noticed some relatively "rough" areas that I actually plan on leaving.  It's giving my cab the old-school 1980's, mass-produced look that I've been looking for.  Of course, I don't plan on leaving drip marks and whatnot on my cab, but I think a few areas where brush-strokes or orange peel are showing isn't the end of the world.   

[javeryh]

I use an hvlp automotive touch up gun.

This is my problem... I wish I had access to one of these things...   

[michelevit]

ebay is your friend
so is harborfreight.
i've been through almost a dozen guns
and these is probally one of my favorites...

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46719

and

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=92126

this is the best way to paint your project. just thin paint with acetone or laquer thinner
and spray.