Spray painting advice
- Thread starter # 13
- Start date
To achieve the best finish it's all preperations!
First of, i'd get yourself some fine wet and dry sand paper, sand the case down to bare plastic, apply some plastic primer, make sure you apply it evenly, you could wet and dry sand it again and apply more plastic primer, depends on how good you want your finish to be.
Obviously when all the prep is done, apply your matt black spray paint, if you want to keep the look of th Matt black, then you'd need a couple coats of clear laquer.
Hope this helps.
Andy`
First of, i'd get yourself some fine wet and dry sand paper, sand the case down to bare plastic, apply some plastic primer, make sure you apply it evenly, you could wet and dry sand it again and apply more plastic primer, depends on how good you want your finish to be.
Obviously when all the prep is done, apply your matt black spray paint, if you want to keep the look of th Matt black, then you'd need a couple coats of clear laquer.
Hope this helps.
Andy`
Soldato
- Joined
- 4 Jan 2004
- Posts
- 20,802
- Location
- ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I sprayed a PC case a while back, just used primer and satin black, no sanding, turned out fine. 
The case was steel tho, I think a plastic xbox may need different primer...
The case was steel tho, I think a plastic xbox may need different primer...
Using wet and dry is giving yourself more work than is needed.
I am a spray painter by trade and although I appreciate that I probably used the 'good stuff' compared to what comes out a can. The principles are the same.
When preparing plastic for painting all you are looking to do is provide a key for the primer. A gray scotch pad is the ideal weapon. Wet and dry is overkill and simply not needed for plastic.
You are not looking to build up several coats of p/primer as it is simply a key for the finishing coat. One good even coat is all that is needed, just make it even and dont worry too much about it. If it has bits dirt in it then simply de-nib those when it has dried and then start preparing for the finishing coat.
On your very first coat with the colour you have chosen. Spray it lightly. It will look uneven and patchy. Thats good. What you have done there is provide a grip coat for the following coats. Once that coat has flashed off (sufficient time to dry) you can then start spraying for a finish.
Dont be tempted to spray a wet coat and go for a finish as this will certainly end in runs especially if you are not used to spraying. Instead aim to spray as even coats as possible. Build these up and you will get the desired effect you are after. Take your time.
I am a spray painter by trade and although I appreciate that I probably used the 'good stuff' compared to what comes out a can. The principles are the same.
When preparing plastic for painting all you are looking to do is provide a key for the primer. A gray scotch pad is the ideal weapon. Wet and dry is overkill and simply not needed for plastic.
You are not looking to build up several coats of p/primer as it is simply a key for the finishing coat. One good even coat is all that is needed, just make it even and dont worry too much about it. If it has bits dirt in it then simply de-nib those when it has dried and then start preparing for the finishing coat.
On your very first coat with the colour you have chosen. Spray it lightly. It will look uneven and patchy. Thats good. What you have done there is provide a grip coat for the following coats. Once that coat has flashed off (sufficient time to dry) you can then start spraying for a finish.
Dont be tempted to spray a wet coat and go for a finish as this will certainly end in runs especially if you are not used to spraying. Instead aim to spray as even coats as possible. Build these up and you will get the desired effect you are after. Take your time.
Soldato
- Joined
- 4 Jan 2004
- Posts
- 20,802
- Location
- ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
^ Ooo, good advice. I've been meaning to spray a plastic bumper on my car as it's gone from black to faded grey, and by the sounds of it lots of light coats is the way forward...
My car is an old banger also, so I'm not too worried if it doesn't look like a work of art...
My car is an old banger also, so I'm not too worried if it doesn't look like a work of art...