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Where to Buy Paint

TailGunner3000

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Sep 5, 2019
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So, for years I've used rattlecan paint for almost all metal painting projects, whether tools, machines, cabinets, etc.

But I'd like to get into more color choices than cans offer. So my questions are where do you get your paint? What's your favorite brand. Do you prefer single stage or 2 stage? And where do you get your color codes from?

Thanks in advance.
 
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SlappyWhite

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If you want more colour selection and want to stay rattlecan...

Belton-Molotow brand paint is cheaper, higher pigment content, way more durable and sprays way better than the usual rattlecan paint most people are familiar with in NA and they have hundreds of colours. Sold online, in art supply stores and places that sell graffiti paint in NA. I use it all the time to paint bicycle frames, it is top quality stuff. Even sticks very well to bare metal. There are similar brands Ironlak, Montana, etc. They are marketed as graffiti paint but are much more than that!

Colour options: https://www.molotow.com/fileadmin/D...mium/PREMIUM_ProduktFlyer_490x210mm_DE_EN.pdf

Most quality auto body suppliers can sell you rattlecan paint custom mixed.

Other than that you can just go to the auto body suppliers and buy paint to match whatever colour mix and spray with a compressor and a gun. Many people have favourite and hated brands...
 
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Ralf11

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or they can mix up any paint and sell you a small spray canister and nozzle setup to use - fergot the brand name tho
 

metlmunchr

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You might check with Sherwin Williams paint stores to see what they can mix in their industrial enamels.

Single stage and 2 stage normally refers to catalyzed urethane automotive paints. Single stage being basically the same as clear but with color added. 2 stage refers to painting first with a base coat which is the color and then topping with clear urethane.

Obviously, automotive paints offer the widest range of colors. But, for the type projects you mention, they're generally cost prohibitive. A pint of paint can cost anywhere from $100 to $300, depending on color. Urethane grade thinner goes for $65 to $85 per gallon. Activators are similarly expensive, and have very poor shelf life once opened.

Then there's the level of protective equipment necessary for spraying any catalyzed paint, including hardware store enamel to which a hardener has been added. Paint suit, full face respirator or air supplied hood. Isocyanates are much like Covid. You might get by with nothing more than minor irritation, or you might end up dead. So, when someone comes along and claims they've sprayed 500 gallons of Imron with a shop rag tied around their head, you can listen to that advice at your own peril.

I've painted several cars on a hobby basis, and have all the necessary ppe, but, for small non auto projects, I use rattle cans or a brush. Or, once in a while I'll spray some straight enamel for something larger like a piece of lawn furniture, but it's just too much aggravation to get suited up and set up to safely spray small amounts of catalyzed paint.

As others have mentioned, there's a wide array of colors available in spray cans, but you won't find it at dollar general for 2 bucks a can.
 

Farrier

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Check local auto body repair supply shop. They can custom make colors and put it in an aerosol can.

I don't mine aerosol can paint providing it has a fan tip spray nozzle. Dupli Color is my favorite.

If I painted vehicles, I'd would venture into the pro paint sprayers. I have an entry level gun that I use once in a while. Lays the paint nice and flat but I hate the time it takes to clean up, especially for small jobs.
 
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bigguns69

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Paint from Summit if I don't have to color match, single and 2 stage works good.
 

Ralf11

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for about 30 bucks there are places that will sell you a rattle can that matches almost any manf.s color
 
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matt_i

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I had this thought last night when I was painting rustoleum enamel from a can. I was thinking of a darker gray than one can buy and thinking a simple mix of additional black-color would tint it

Seems like the basic mixes you can get at a box store or S-W (starting with a base-white) could be used in proportion to give a color somewhat close to desired.

How to get the recipes I'm not 100% sure....
 

theoldwizard1

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It depends on what you are painting.

Rattle can is not bad if you do the proper prep and priming. If you are painting something metal it is hard to beat good old Rustoleum (the paint is an alkyd enamel). Limited colors, but it is "good stuff". Actually, Rustoleum works well on wood used outdoors.

Actually, ANY alkyd enamel works well and if you add enamel hardener it is almost as hard as epoxy paint. Easier to apply and probably less expensive than epoxy.
 

WoodsTruck

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Sprayed some Summit Racing enamel with activator the other night. Takes 3 days to dry hard enough to do anything with it. Hoping it lasts longer out in the elements than rattle can paint.
 

bigguns69

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Iowa
WoodsTruck:

I just sprayed some Summit sonic blue, single stage acrylic urethane this weekend. Mixture 4 parts paint, 1 part activator, 1 part reducer. It sprayed well out of my H.F. gun. The quart of Sonic Blue from Summit cost about $37. I was handling the parts in an hour. May be you had an activator issue, not enough? I have always had great success with the Summit paint, single and two stage.

Years ago I had some touch up work for a 2004 mustang GT with Sonic Blue. Went with color match with Martin Senor product. A pint of paint cost me $164. This paint looks identical.
 
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TailGunner3000

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New Jersey
Hi all. Thanks for your answers. They've been very helpful.

To add a little clarity, I'm also looking to increase spray volume. I recently purchased twelve shelving units at an auction. They are in various colors. I painted the first one and it took six rattle cans. I felt like I spent as much time shaking cans as I did painting. I also have a large assortment of other shelves, cabinets and equipment that I'd like to color standardize as I reorganize my workshop. I don't have a problem with rattle cans. They've done me well. But I'd like to be able to maximize painting efficiency.

I have used a spray gun before, albeit mostly for wood finishing, and I have a respirator. I paint in a well ventilated area - outside. I am not concerned about a paint booth as I'm looking for a nice uniform finish, not an automotive quality paint job.

Thanks all.
 
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