Satin or Semi-gloss?

[Sylentwulf]

Short post. I hate gloss paint, but putting flat on an arcade cabinet is just asking for trouble.

Satin is less glossy than semi-gloss right? Will it be ok to use Glidden latex enamel satin black paint on the cabinet? (or rather, will it look good?)

[MonitorGuru]

In order of sheen, here are all the names used by various companies:

Ultra-Flat (Krylon spray)
Flat
Semi-Flat (Krylon spray)
Satin (usually only available in non-spray, and mainly only latex, not oil)
Semi-Gloss
Gloss

I really like Kryon Semi-Flat.  It isn't powdery like flat, but it doesn't have the high sheen of Semi-Gloss.  And since you can't buy Satin black in any oil-based spray paint, it is the only option there is. I use it on things like monitor plexi retainer clips, and wood cabinets.  However I use semi-gloss on coin doors and metal cabinets.

I use the ultra-flat around the monitor area and inside to prevent any reflections. That stuff is amazingly flat!

I wouldn't recommend latex on a cabinet, but if you must (to get satin) be sure to put a great oil-based primer (Kilz original) as a base coat and sand it nicely to remove any imperfections.  Remember, latex over oil = okay, oil over latex = peel.

Good luck.

[rdagger]

Satin (usually only available in non-spray, and mainly only latex, not oil)
....
be sure to put a great oil-based primer (Kilz original) as a base coat

Home Depot carries a latex Behr black satin.  I bought some last week and sprayed my cab with an HVLP.  The paint guy at home depot recommended a Glidden water-based gripper primer, which I used.  The final coat of black is still drying, but it looks good.  The primer dries in minutes, but the latex Behr take much longer to completely dry.  The black paint can be handled after an  hour, but it seems to stay tacky for a few days.  Another note on the Behr paint is that the finish does have some texture to it, kind of like powder coating.  I sprayed 1 coat of primer and 3 light coats of black.  I sanded between each coat using a random orbit sander with 220  or higher grit.  As soon as the black drys, I'll give it a coat of satin clear, which I could only find as spray paint.

[Sylentwulf]

I'm sticking with a nice low-nap roller, so I'll get the satin latex as I'd planned, thanx for the input guys! (And yes, it's going on over Killz oil-based primer)

[enchntr]

In order of sheen, here are all the names used by various companies:

Ultra-Flat (Krylon spray)
Flat
Semi-Flat (Krylon spray)
Satin (usually only available in non-spray, and mainly only latex, not oil)
Semi-Gloss
Gloss

I was able to get Krylon Satin oil enamel from Home Depot.  Don't know how I like it, but you can see what it looks like on my cabinet at http://www.poweroftheforce.com/cabinet

The sheen you see is because it is freshly painted.  I haven't had time to go down and take more pictures yet.  However, there is a slight reflection on the dried paint...not glossy by any stretch.

I used a really thin foam roller and the finish came out great.  Looks better than a rattle can, but not as good as a professional sprayer.

Ed

[RayB]

I always thought Satin and Semi-Gloss were the same. Now I know.  

Anyways, many years ago I got this really nice big old 70's TV (the kind that is made of wood, and sits on the floor like a piece of furniture). Anyways, I painted the whole thing in Satin Black. Looked GREAT.