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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: siropa on June 13, 2005, 10:54:36 am

Title: paint enough or topcoat it too?
Post by: siropa on June 13, 2005, 10:54:36 am
Finishing up cab #2. Painting it a satin black. Is it good enough to leave it just painted or should I topcoat it with poly, lacquer or shellac or something too?
Title: Re: paint enough or topcoat it too?
Post by: CJK on June 13, 2005, 09:58:08 pm
Depends on how durable you want the finish to be.

-- Chris
Title: Re: paint enough or topcoat it too?
Post by: koolmoecraig on June 14, 2005, 02:22:50 am
Paint is more than fine. Just do it RIGHT. Don't half ass it like alot of people do.

Sand it down to bare wood.
Primer.
Sand.
Primer.
Sand.
Paint.
Sand.
Paint.
Sand.
Paint.
Extremely fine(2000 grit) sand.

It will look like a friggin mirror if you TAKE YOUR TIME.

Peace.
Title: Re: paint enough or topcoat it too?
Post by: siropa on June 14, 2005, 11:17:09 am
I've never used 2 coats of primer on any painting i've ever done. Does that make a big difference?
Title: Re: paint enough or topcoat it too?
Post by: Q*Bert_OP on June 14, 2005, 12:11:34 pm
Paint is more than fine. Just do it RIGHT. Don't half ass it like alot of people do.

Sand it down to bare wood.
Primer.
Sand.
Primer.
Sand.
Paint.
Sand.
Paint.
Sand.
Paint.
Extremely fine(2000 grit) sand.

It will look like a friggin mirror if you TAKE YOUR TIME.

Peace.


that's a lota work!
Title: Re: paint enough or topcoat it too?
Post by: ChadTower on June 14, 2005, 12:26:30 pm
I've never used 2 coats of primer on any painting i've ever done. Does that make a big difference?

Yes.  90% of paint results is the amount of prep work you do.  10% is the actual painting.
Title: Re: paint enough or topcoat it too?
Post by: pointdablame on June 14, 2005, 12:33:07 pm

that's a lota work!

It's the only way to get a really nice paint job.
Title: Re: paint enough or topcoat it too?
Post by: siropa on June 14, 2005, 01:04:25 pm
What grit to you recomend for between most of the coats? does sound like a lot of work, but I suppose a weeks worth of time now to finish it right will make me much happer down the road with it.
Title: Re: paint enough or topcoat it too?
Post by: ChadTower on June 14, 2005, 01:14:26 pm
Don't remember specifically, something like 750.  Not rough enough to take much paint off but rough enough to take off paint based protrusions (e.g. drips, roller edge marks).
Title: Re: paint enough or topcoat it too?
Post by: Tahnok on June 14, 2005, 02:33:26 pm
Hmm... I heard that you should use around 300 grit for between coats. Also, do use two coats of primer. I didn't on one of my cabs and regretted it when I started painting. One or two parts of the cab that I thought I covered well started sucking in paint and giving a poor finish.
Title: Re: paint enough or topcoat it too?
Post by: siropa on June 14, 2005, 03:59:55 pm
I know when i've got poly finishing on woodworking projects i've used a 300 or 400 between coats. just never sanded paint before. haven't really painted many projects. I'm starting with the primer tonight hopefully.
Title: Re: paint enough or topcoat it too?
Post by: ChadTower on June 14, 2005, 04:06:12 pm
I wouldn't use anything as rough as 300 grit after the primer coats are in, but everyone does it slightly differently.
Title: Re: paint enough or topcoat it too?
Post by: ShinAce on June 14, 2005, 06:46:36 pm
I use 1000 grit between the last 2 coats, and 2500 final. I'll use 320 but very lightly initially.

Also, If you put 2 coats of an oil based paint, that will be more durable than 2 coats of primer, 3 coats of enamel spray paint, and clear coat. Enamel paints are just flaky without the perfect primer.

Durability: oil paint and a brush

Finish: primer, sandpaper, paint and clear coat.
Title: Re: paint enough or topcoat it too?
Post by: Veinman on June 14, 2005, 06:59:55 pm
I sanded with 150, then 400.
Primer coat 1
Sand w 400
Primer coat 2
Sand w 400
Paint
Sand w 400
Paint


And left it at that. Mine isn't fully operational yet, so we'll see how it holds up. ;)
Title: Re: paint enough or topcoat it too?
Post by: koolmoecraig on June 14, 2005, 10:53:35 pm
Paint is more than fine. Just do it RIGHT. Don't half ass it like alot of people do.

Sand it down to bare wood.
Primer.
Sand.
Primer.
Sand.
Paint.
Sand.
Paint.
Sand.
Paint.
Extremely fine(2000 grit) sand.

It will look like a friggin mirror if you TAKE YOUR TIME.

Peace.


that's a lota work!

Yup. Am my Q*Bert thanks me everyday for it. Do you have a Q*Bert?
Title: Re: paint enough or topcoat it too?
Post by: rebfx on June 15, 2005, 09:01:31 am
hey. will a cheap wagner sprayer help/hinder/ or have no real effect on the process?
Title: Re: paint enough or topcoat it too?
Post by: RayB on June 15, 2005, 09:26:51 am
Q's:
Do you hand-sand or is it ok to use a "Mouse" sander?

What kind of roller do you use that doesn't leave little bumps n stuff on the final coat?
Title: Re: paint enough or topcoat it too?
Post by: ChadTower on June 15, 2005, 09:28:56 am
The sanding is to remove those little bumps.  The last coat should be light enough that you won't get any. 
Title: Re: paint enough or topcoat it too?
Post by: Veinman on June 15, 2005, 12:38:17 pm
Use a roller for smooth surfaces.