Jamz3k

Is it really actually smooth? and is it a realistic alternative to spray painting?

I have made a pigs ear spraying up a set of metal speaker stands I've altered and don't think I can be arsed spraying them again as I have never been very good at spray painting.

dpb

Quite smooth but iv not had good results with it ,


id always go red oxide primer to start with

Jamz3k

this enamel spray paint I bought, was apparently direct to metal but by **** its reacted badly to the metal. I even bought special wipes for wiping down the metal just incase this did happen. sanded and prepped twice and both times, its like fooking awful.

tarmac terror

iTrader: (2)

Spraying with rattle cans is never going to be great.

Sand them smooth to give a good key, then build up several coats of primer, lightly sanding in between coats.

spray several very light coatings of your colour allowing each to dry before applying the next - be patient.

Once a good solid colour has been achieved, spray with a lacquer coat if you want a sheen, or just leave them painted for a more matt finish.

To have a half decent chance at it, you need to do this indoor - garage or shed or somewhere.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Like everything, the finish you get depends on the preparation.

Firstly, your spraying: what problems have you had? Runs? A gloss paint that finished up matt? Orange peel effect?

All these can be avoided, even by the rank amateur. As a lad a I wanted to respray my racing bike frame. I biked into town, went to a local sprayshop and bugged the owner during his lunch hour to tell me how, and what pitfalls there were.

Went home, followed his instructions to a T, and the result was a finish not far short of factory, although I do say so myself.

Runs: too much paint, from too close, too soon.
Matt finish to what should be gloss: too little paint from too far away.
Orange peel effect: Paint not sufficiently atomised, so cheap spray cans then

The BEST finish will ALWAYS be with a decent spray gun and a compressor, or an airbrush can be used if you have one. If you have a compressor, buy a decent all-purpose gun from Machine Mart, or Screwfix for about £20 and away you go

Hammerite Smooth: yes, you CAN get a decent finish, BUT: it's not easy to use on curved surfaces, and if not applied quickly and evenly, will not stand up to every day observation like in the home. Ditto sharp corners.

You CAN buy Hammerite Smooth SPRAY paint, but the cans are hit and miss as regards spraying, some are VERY good, others splatter paint everywhere.

If it were me, I'd buy a spray gun, hire a compressor and do the job properly with decent enamel paint.

Or take them to a spray shop, get 'em done your colour and then lacquered............

HTH.

Jamz3k

No runs etc Alcazar, just the fact this paint which apparently doesn't need a primer has reacted with something on the surface of the metal that I can't get off.

The Zohan

Start again mate, you are not painting large surfaces such as car panels so rub down what you have done so far, then prime with a suitable primer and spray with rattle cans and them lacquer - for what you want to paint they are more than capable of giving a good finish.

make sure you just put on light coats of paint and build it up slowly letting it touch dry between coats

the time and effort you put into preparing pays of in the finish.


l

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

The metal isn't galvanised, is it? Zinc is notoriously difficult to paint

Jamz3k

I'm going to assume, as I had to get rid of a few rust spots on them that they are not galvanised. I'm going to give it a go again tomorrow as I have decided I don't like them in white anyway! I'll get some primer and some car paint and take another bash at it as I've got a week of nothing to kill!

I have the other one to do also, I just did the one as I wasnt sure how handy my cutting with the angle grinder would turn out, surprisingly well by all accounts I must add!

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Cutting?

What did you cut?

Jamz3k

The speakers I want to use them for have a semicircular base on them and the top-plate of the stand was too large, so I cut it down to fit and gave it the same curvature as the front of the speaker. I then trimmed the rear of the speaker stands plinth so the speaker could be pushed closer to the wall as these speakers perform better backed onto a wall.

Pictures are always better than words, although the pics from my BB are ****e

Leslie

If you use a reasonably full brush which is good quality, you should get a perfectly good finish.

Years ago my dad painted his old car with it and it honestly looked like a spray finish. He was a very capable man though.

Les

urban

iTrader: (1)

James lad - find yourself a Johnstones paint centre

They will be able to make you a paint for metal which is a lot more smooth than hammerite.

Jamz3k

Cheers mate, will do!