Questions for the paint guys....

[bedn0009]

Paint guys,

I am in the process of painting some file cabinets for use in my garage. This is what I have done thus far, followed by some questions:

1. Washed with TSP
2. Rinsed with warm water
3. Wiped everything down
4. Sanded everything with 220 grit sandpaper (random orbital sander)
5. Wiped everything down with a damp cloth to remove paint dust
6. Spray primed (HVLP) with a light coat of SW Pro Industrial Pro-Cryl Acrylic Primer
7. Let dry for 12 hours (see below)

The cabinets were painted (probably powder coated) and were in generally very good condition prior to me attacking them.

Now that I've got them primed, here is my plan... please critique:

1. Skip sanding between primer and first coat - they are very smooth right now
2. Spray (HVLP) a first top coat using SW Pro Industrial High Performance Acrylic in Semi Gloss(very dark navy blue)
3. Let dry overnight, then sand with 400 grit
4. Paint with a second top coat of the blue

I'm wondering if I need to sand between coats if the surface remains as smooth as it is now, and also if I should be prepared to
spray a clear coat... and if so what I would use. Or, if a 3rd coat would be more beneficial.

Thank you

 

[Cyberbear]

Sanding between coats is good for two reasons: 1. It provides a smooth surface for the next coat, 2. it provides "tooth" to help the following coat better adhere. Too smooth a surface can be detrimental in some cases.
When you mentioned wiping down the cabinets with a "damp" cloth, I wondered if you used water again. Water is the enemy of a good paint job, unless you're using water based paint. And, if the cabinets are suspected of being powder coated, that is even more reason to skuff sand them before your primer coat. After proper cleaning with any water based liquid, you should have blown out the cracks and seams of the cabinets to make sure any hidden water is removed. The last thing you need is a drop of water coming out of a recess during a critical paint coat, thereby possibly blemishing an otherwise good paint job.

 

[bedn0009]

Thanks... I am using water based primer and paint. After the rinsing with water, everything dried for 18 hours before priming.

 

[BillK]

Bed,
What do the instructions for the paint say ? That is what I would do. If they say sand between coats I most certainly be sanding. I have always had the best results following manufacturers instructions.

 

[strutaeng]

Follow the PDS (product data sheets), TDS (technical data ssheet). After all, it comes from the people that formulated the paint. I agree with you that sanding between coats is not necessary, at least not for waterbourne coatings. Of, course, unless you have dust specks...

I also didn't think the coating you are using could be sprayed through HVLP, unless you have a pressure por.

Good luck.

 

[ZRX61]

I'd just give em a light scuff with grey scotchbrite if you feel the need to key the paint.