Primer and Paint Tip

[mdlrk]

Here is a painting tip when using spray cans.
1. Heat up some water and put it in the sink.
2. Put your spray can in it to heat up the contents. The propellent and paint pressurize and you will get a smoother spray pattern. Of course shake the living heck out of the contents.
3. A good primer product is [U]scratch and dent filler [/U]bought at your local automotive supply house. It sands unbelievably smooth and usually comes with a nice nozzle (good fan for spraying.) You can also spray almost any paint over it...automotive or lacquers.
4. Of course always wet sand with 600+ grit for best results. I like 1000 grit or finer for final sand out before finish color.
5. I use a lot of RC paints for their brilliance and them Gloss Lacquer clear coat . You can buy clear coat at Home Depot....light coats make a great finish and it will polish out sweet. I actually wet sand with 2000 grit before polishing the finish out.
6. Use foam to polish out the finish paint......No Swirling in the finish.
Rick

[harrypri]

Good tips.

Just be sure you don't put that can of spray paint in [B][I]boiling[/I][/B] water! Actually, hot water out of the tap is plenty warm enough to get the job done.

[mdlrk]

Very true....don't heat up the paint can on the stove! Good hot tap water will do fine. My step son heated water up on the stove and was lucky the can did not burst. The longer you can heat up the contents the better.

[hot ford coupe]

Hey mdlrk, are you using the RC paints for the Lexan bodies? Are they a lacquer also? Do they give you any problem with crazing or not setting? Thanks in advance.

[mdlrk]

Yes, I use RC for Lexan bodies. As long as the styrene is primed first there is not a problem with crazing on the scratch and dent filler primer . RC is probably an epoxy and/or lacquer style paint but I use lacquer thinner for thinning and cleanup. It works fine for thinning RC paints. Has a great smell too! . Use in ventilated area....but, I like it!!!!....hahaha!

[mdlrk]

Other notes on RC paints. Don't tape on them without clear coating. It is a soft finish. It will pull from the primer . You can decal on it and clear coat after. I like it because it is cheap, fast to use, and gives some really brilliant colors. Clear lacquer in a can requires no air brush clean up. Lacquer Thinner is apprx $14 per gal at Home Depot. It dries fast. I use automotive finishes too. It can cost a lot to do a kit. Reducers get expensive. ( I am a cheap ol' guy). I'll try to post some pics of cars soon. (I'll be gone until middle of Oct, though.) I am not an expert...just wanted you to know. I paint for a living, but, not cars. I just find it a viable alternative to tedious/costly time working with automotive finishes....and I just like the hot rod colors you can make up blending RC paints together.
Any how, thanks for putting up with me.
Rick....mdlrk

[Don Garrett]

Great info guy, most of us watch our spending when it comes to hobbies, the bean counter is always looking over my shoulder. I need someone to keep an eye on me when it comes to my toys.
No more of that nonsense about putting up with O.K? Your input is always welcome here and it's us who should be thanking you.

[hot ford coupe]

Thanks Rick for the info. That's going to help me a great deal.

[mdlrk]

Thanks Don,
I've read and seen a lot of helpful things since I joined. Got a lot of great ideas, too. Looking forward to improving all my building techniques.
Rick

[j_nigrelli]

and don't forget to wipe ALL of the water from the can before starting to paint. please don't ask how i know to do this....

[hot ford coupe]

Sheesh, I hate when that happens.