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Aussie Pinball Forums => Restorations => Topic started by: pinball god on November 11, 2013, 02:35:34 PM

Title: cabinet paint for decalling
Post by: pinball god on November 11, 2013, 02:35:34 PM
Have done a few but my son has panted the cabinets with an automotive style paint that I can't remember except for it being gmh chassis black or something. Apparently it is tough as nails. But I can't seem to find any at the moment and wondering what do you guys use with a spray gun. The above paint does not require a primer on wood either and little thinning.

Is there stuff at bunnings I can buy? Satin or gloss and enamel or acrylic
Title: Re: cabinet paint for decalling
Post by: Strangeways on November 12, 2013, 10:00:18 AM
I use automotive paints. Primer undercoat and then a semi gloss black.

Your prep work is just as important as the paint. The cabinet must be smooth with no scratches, dints or even pin holes. These defects will be seen under the new decals. Grab some tack rags as well.

Bunnings paint - I would not use them but White Knight are very good quality, but you will need primer / undercoat.
Title: Re: cabinet paint for decalling
Post by: Retropin on November 12, 2013, 10:06:08 AM
I use automotive paints. Primer undercoat and then a semi gloss black.

Your prep work is just as important as the paint. The cabinet must be smooth with no scratches, dints or even pin holes. These defects will be seen under the new decals. Grab some tack rags as well.

Bunnings paint - I would not use them but White Knight are very good quality, but you will need primer / undercoat.

Don't use flat acrylics.. its a semi porous finish and the decals wont stick as well as a dead smooth finish... the more gloss the better adhesion. Make sure that the paint has fully cured also.. if its still degassing when you put the decals on then they will lift as the fumes/gas gets trapped underneath... it leads to ripples etc later down the track
Title: Re: cabinet paint for decalling
Post by: pinball god on November 12, 2013, 01:29:07 PM
Thanks guys, one last question, any ideas on quantity to do a cabinet? Would a litre of each do?
Title: Re: cabinet paint for decalling
Post by: DSB on November 12, 2013, 09:11:23 PM
I am in the middle of spraying my first cabinet. No where near an expert but I found 1 litre of primer was enough to do a heavy fill coat at 4:1 thinners and a second prime at 2:1. For the top coat I bought a litre and mixed it 1:1 which was heaps to do several coats inside and out. The biggest problem for me was how much to mix at a time. My gun holds 500ml which was heaps to do a coat but I had some left over after getting to the end so I kept spraying back at the start til it was empty not wanting to waste paint.  @.@ I think this was the cause of some minor shrinkage issues which I am addressing now. My advice I think would be thin coats and obey the recoat times? Good luck with your attempt.   
Title: Re: cabinet paint for decalling
Post by: Retropin on November 12, 2013, 09:26:25 PM
Yes.. a litre is plenty enough
Title: Re: cabinet paint for decalling
Post by: jukeola on November 13, 2013, 03:52:29 AM
this is what i did when i was doing the ss , 2pak primer then 2pak black - buffed to a mirror finish
a bit of a overkill but when you got a panel shop at your disposal it's hard not to

the picture is  when it was in primer stage
Title: Re: cabinet paint for decalling
Post by: pinball god on November 13, 2013, 12:03:01 PM
Thanks mate looks good, I have purchased motorspray subframe black, just waiting on the weather to warm up a little as I believe cold causes more of a matt look ????? Also got the flu to boot.
Title: Re: cabinet paint for decalling
Post by: pinball god on November 13, 2013, 12:03:49 PM
Yes.. a litre is plenty enough
thanks have bought a litre