Can't get an even finish with spray paint

[getnate]

Hello,
I need some advice. I'm spray painting my cab flat black but I cannot get an even finish. After drying the final coat was not only rough but uneven. I can see the spray pattern in the dry paint.

Here is the process I went through.
1. painting on 1/2" MDF
2. 1st coat was aerosol white primer, sanded with 320 afterward
3. 2nd cost was aerosol white primer, sanded with 320 afterward
4. 3rd coat was aerosol flat black. Sanded with steel wool
5. 4th coast was aerosol flat black. sanded with steel wool

Both black coats dried with almost a dusty finish and the color is uneven pattern that reveals my spay 'strokes'. Brushing my hand over the coat would break free black dust. I think some of the paint dried before it hit the surface. I think this might have been because I was painting in direct sunlight on a warm day, does that matter?

Any tips for an even pattern? I've already been through 8 cans of black spray paint, do I just need more coats?

[thecheat]

Sounds like you were varying the distance of the can to the wood and generally being too far away. You should try to get in about 10" away or what the label says.

Ideally, you should be using a roller, you will get better coverage and more consistent results that way.

[swamprat96]

agreed- you sound like you are "dry spraying". Get closer. Put the coat on so that it looks really wet and consistent. A tip for the beginner is to make your surface horizontal if possible- and then you'll avoid runs. If you get them sand them off when dry and put on another coat

I do pinball cabs this way - perfect result

[garnerb350]

The way i was always brought up was anytime you are painting wood...use regular primer and paint ...If I had spray paint... I would buy a cheap regular primer and paint it with brush or roller / sand and THEN use spray paint....
The only time I ever used aerosol primer was when i doing plastic models or metal...

Flat black also dries very quickly...Sunlight or not, under the right weather conditions...dries fast...

When I painted my cab...I went and got cheap primer, and asked the paint guys at Lowes for a gallon of semi-gloss black paint... 1 coat of primer and i did 3 coats of Black...I took 200-250 grit sandpaper and lightly sanded each coat. I freaking loved the outcome....plus with semigloss, you can easily clean the cab with a slighty wet rag if its gets dirty or dusty. ( arcade parties can be crazy)   

Swamprat & thecheat are pretty much right...with spray paint....place the mdf on sawhorses and paint...if you get too close with the spray can...you will have runs...with flat paint you can easily sand the run out....BUT that just adds more times you have to recoat...

I'm NOT an expert painter...I just know what i had to go through when i painted my cab back in feb...
I recently just restored an old metal bed frame for my daughter's room...which i renerate what i said earlier...spray paint is great for metal and plastics...I personally hate spray paint on wood...go with regular paint...

[bkenobi]

I have never had much luck spraying large surfaces with a consistent finish.  They are always splotchy (too far away) or have drips/puddles (too close).  When I painted my last cab black, I found some flat black paint at the home center.  1 quart was more than enough for the sides and some touch-ups.  It is really expensive compared to any other color, but since it's a small quantity, it isn't a big hit (I think it was ~$20USD where it should have been ~$5-10).

[brock.sampson]

I have used spray cans for my last two cabs and got very good results.  I couldn't get a good finish with a roller.  I found these spray handles help a lot.  Also the newer Krylon cans have a fan tip which also helps get a better more even finish.  You can turn the tip 90 degrees if you are painting vertical or horizontal.  I recently got a cheap hvlp sprayer at Harbor Frieght I'm going to try on my next cab.

[bkenobi]

Actually, one of the key reasons I went with the roller method was because I wanted to get a slightly bumpy finish.  I don't personally like perfectly smooth cabinets with flat black on them cause they have to be PERFECTLY flat.  If not, they show imperfections and look horrible IMO.  With a lose nap roller you can get small bumps all over (kinda like mini wall texture).  Anyway, my preference, but I think it looks good that way.

[getnate]

I have used spray cans for my last two cabs and got very good results.  I couldn't get a good finish with a roller.  I found these spray handles help a lot.  Also the newer Krylon cans have a fan tip which also helps get a better more even finish.  You can turn the tip 90 degrees if you are painting vertical or horizontal.  I recently got a cheap hvlp sprayer at Harbor Frieght I'm going to try on my next cab.

I dont have that gun but I used 8 cans of Krylon that had those nosels.

[garnerb350]

That sray handle that brock was telling you about....I used those on the bed frame restore....it does work....

[Bonesaw Ownage]

Tips for a consistent paint job.

Make sure to use Use Acrylic Lacquer for the primer, and the top coat. This type of paint is sandable, and you will usually find it in the automotive paint section.

Cleaning the area is very important to remove oils or any other substances that may cause an imperfection.

Once you primer with multiple coats, and apply about 3-5 coats of the color, finish with a final "wet" coat, this means a coat that is thicker than normal, basically as thick as you can go before it runs.

Let that coat dry and you can wet sand it with a very high grit(1000) sand paper to give it a consistent finish.
Be careful to not sand too much away.

From that point you can add a "clear" coat if you want, these can be either gloss, semi gloss, or flat. Make sure that if you do use a clear coat, that it is a lacquer as well. Then you can repeat the same step and wet sand it to your liking.

This process takes some practice to get proficient, but it looks nice when you can achieve it.

For the long run, if your going with a simple color like black, I would also recommend using a laminate over top of the mdf or plywood. It is a little more expensive, but less time to install, and more resilient to wear and tear. As good as a paint job looks it is still more likely to scuff/scratch, and refinishing just plain sucks......

Just a few tips to try to help out.

Best,

-JC

[AcidArmitage]

be prepared to get irritated at the Harbor Freight HVLP sprayer