Painting my cab tips for nice finish

[Marky_1979]

Hi guys finally got around to painting my cab iv given it 3 coats of B & Q's Black satin wood paint and it looks ok but I can see all my brush strokes so not 100% happy with it. Im thinking of sanding it down and then rollering it will this give a better result?

If so:

1. What sand paper do I buy? I know its graded on grit but any special one to buy?
2. Any special type of roller?

Cheers in advance

Mark

[JayB]

Using a brush won't give the type of finish you'll probably want.

I found the best rollers to use are either Harris or Hamilton, mini rollers. They are sponge but have a fine layer of short bristles which stops it from drawing as much as you go over. They're Orange in colour.

I started from 80 then worked up to 800, seems nice enough.

[Franco B]

Hi Marky, I used B&Q's black satin paint on [my 1st cab] with a foam roller. The result was ok but looking back at it now it seems amateurish.

If I was to make a cab again with a solid colour I would go down the laminate route. Its a little more expensive but its so much more professional looking and hardwearing to boot than most paint finishes.

For future builds where I'm not laminating I'm going to invest in an air compressor and I'm going to set up a spray both to experiment with some flip and candy automotive paints.

If you want an awesome finish with a roller I would suggest taking a leaf out of javeryhs book. This is the process he used:

Here was my process:

1.  Sanded MDF with 600 grit
2.  Applied oil-based primer - rolled on with a 4" foam roller (2 coats).  Sanding after the 2nd coat with 220 grit.
3.  Applied water-based pink paint - rolled on with a 4" foam roller (6 coats).  Sanding after the 2nd, 4th and 5th coats with 220 grit.
4.  Sprayed on 25 coats of lacquer straight from the can - no sanding.
5.  Wetsanded like crazy with 1500 grit
6.  Apply rubbing compound (undecided on coats - maybe 4-5)
7.  Apply polish (undecided on coats - maybe 4-5)

The lacquer was easy to apply - I did it all in one weekend.  I'm disappointed I couldn't get it perfect but the finish still looks 1,000,000 times better than leaving brushstrokes on there with ordinary paint, IMO.  It almost looks like it came from the factory or something.  I really want to finish it up this weekend.

[This] isJ avs' Bellas PA if you want to read futher. He did post some other pics in another thread that really showed of the finish but I cant seem to find them. Are you reading this Jav?

[Marky_1979]

Cheers guys I think I will have a go with a mini roller and see how that works out I may be back if that doesn't do the trick

[javeryh]

Here you go! 

You can read how I did it at www.bellasarcade.blogspot.com

I put a pink piano finish on the sides and back of my cab and it came out great.  Check the posts around the middle of 2007 (starting in April, I think).  This shot gives you an idea of the results (check out the reflection):

[Marky_1979]

Wow that looks sweet cheers dude

[Marky_1979]

Guys can you recommend some:

Rubbing compound (undecided on coats - maybe 4-5)
Apply polish (undecided on coats - maybe 4-5)

BTW Im based in UK