Paints for Cabinet Respray

[Steve2010]

OK guys, I know this topic comes up from time to time, but I need to ask.

I am planning on respraying at least a few cabinets, and have never done this before.  I believe, after reading many posts here, that most people tend to use acrylic sprays for the choice of paint.  Not knowing much about paint, it would seem the advantage of acrylic is fast drying and generally a nice paint to work with on stencils.

I have done a bit of digging, and there seem to be water-based acrylics, solvent-based acrylics, etc.  And then there's acrylic lacquer (not sure if this is the same as solvent-based acrylic?).  I would assume that for the base colour, I would also want to use the same type of paint (ie. acrylic base colour, then topped with the acrylic top colours via stencil).

I have also been looking as to where to purchase these paints.  I have seen Auto One and Super Cheap Auto mentioned, but when I rang these places the common response is they must have a colour code of a car to match to.  In the end, I'm not that concerned with an EXACT match of colour, just something pretty close is good enough for me.

Also, do acrylics come in gloss and matt (I suspect so with sprays), and assuming yes, then do people tend more to one than the other?

So, any advise would be appreciated, especially on where to sourc this (in Sydney).  Even if I had access to a colour chart, that would be a start.

I have also come across Tamiya and Humbrol paints for acrylic sprays (but of course these are for modellers, so may not be the best choice as the can sizes are on the small side.

lastly, I plan on only be using sparay cans.  Thanks.

[Boots]

If you are using spray cans, the large 400g  car touchup cans from Sprints are good.
They are acrylic lacquer.
There are a few brands, I think the Motospray ones are usually a bit cheaper, about $9 a 400g can, although they only come in basic colours.
For undercoating you could use Solver Maxi-PSU and a 100mm foam roller sanding smooth between coats, this fills imperfections quite well.

[Strangeways]

I use automotive acrylic lacquers. Enamels are harder to work with, and take a longer drying time. You need to find a paint supply store that can provide you with quality paints and a color matching service. I take my cabinets in to the paint store and they match the original colors from factory (for full repaints), or they can match the "wear and tear" of faded or dirty paints for touch ups. The paint is not cheap, and the auto thinners can really stink out the garage !

I use auto primer / filler which is really easy to work with. GOOD quality sandpaper is also important. Prep work is the key to this type of work.

You need a good compressor. I have a Peerless P14 which I bought JUST for cabinet repainting. You need good quality spray guns. All up, I've spent $1500 JUST on a repainting equipment.

All in all - it is GREAT fun and VERY rewarding. The results are always satisfying.

[Crashramp]

I use automotive acrylic lacquers. Enamels are harder to work with, and take a longer drying time. You need to find a paint supply store that can provide you with quality paints and a color matching service. I take my cabinets in to the paint store and they match the original colors from factory (for full repaints), or they can match the "wear and tear" of faded or dirty paints for touch ups. The paint is not cheap, and the auto thinners can really stink out the garage !

I use auto primer / filler which is really easy to work with. GOOD quality sandpaper is also important. Prep work is the key to this type of work.

You need a good compressor. I have a Peerless P14 which I bought JUST for cabinet repainting. You need good quality spray guns. All up, I've spent $1500 JUST on a repainting equipment.

All in all - it is GREAT fun and VERY rewarding. The results are always satisfying.

Is this also the right paint to use for the timber trim around the playfield? I need to be repaint my Flash Gordon trim in black and was wondering if the acrylic lacquers are generally in a particular sheen or do you need to specify a semi gloss or similar?

[Boots]

The motorspray cans from sprints come in satin, gloss, and matt black.
I think the other colours only come in gloss.

[Strangeways]

The motorspray cans from sprints come in satin, gloss, and matt black.
I think the other colours only come in gloss.

+1

White Knight are great paints to work with and they also have a semi gloss or "satin black". Not flat and not gloss. Black is an easy color to get right. Just make sure you do all the timber guides 

[Crashramp]

The motorspray cans from sprints come in satin, gloss, and matt black.
I think the other colours only come in gloss.

+1

White Knight are great paints to work with and they also have a semi gloss or "satin black". Not flat and not gloss. Black is an easy color to get right. Just make sure you do all the timber guides 

Thanks for that. All timber guilds will be done.

[ktm450]

Even if you are only using spray cans I would talk to a auto paint supply store, they will do an exact colour match for you and can even put the colour into a pressure pack for you to use if you dont have compressor/gun set up.  If you can borrow a compressor and a gun or buy and resell when you finish it will give you better results and make life so much easier if you intend on spraying several cabs.

[Retropin]

Even if you are only using spray cans I would talk to a auto paint supply store, they will do an exact colour match for you and can even put the colour into a pressure pack for you to use if you dont have compressor/gun set up.  If you can borrow a compressor and a gun or buy and resell when you finish it will give you better results and make life so much easier if you intend on spraying several cabs.

Yep.. agree here.
Auto paint suppliers are the go.. acrylic lacquer dries in 10 mins easily and will make life much easier for you.. gives a great finish also.
Make sure you sand the undercoat smooth or youll see every deviation at end of paint session.
Try to avoid enamels in a can especially gloss.. its so thin and causes leaching plus it takes forever to dry.

Youll be suprised at how LITTLE paint you require to do the colour in a stencil job, but allow 1ltr for your base colour