Rattle Can Paint Question

I have searched the forum, read pages and pages on multiple threads on this topic (and there is alot out there) but I was going to buy paint tomorrow and I still need some help.

I am just doing a basic gloss black on my helmet, and I got the steps down, just looking for help with paint and gloss

What spray paint do you recommend for paint? and what kind of clean coat? The clear coat is really where I am having trouble. There is acrylic, emamel, urethane and polyurethane. I saw some people go urethane from SprayMax etc but I only have access to a Home Depot or a Autozone so any thoughts?

I was gonna go Rustoleum Universal Paint and Primer in 1 Gloss Black with a Varathane Polyurethane clear glossy. Any thoughts? Also maybe Krylon? Duplicolor? Let me know.

What combos can i use and not use together: acrylic paint/enamel clear, enamel paint/enamel clear, enamel paint/urethane clear?

Thanks!

I've always had good results with Duplicolor primer and acrylic lacquer. Don't use varathane for clear, gas eats right through it. Your best choice for clear is Spraymax 2k. Clear engine enamel is pretty tough but gas will still affect it.
Black (and red) will show every prep and paint error so prep is very important. Wet sanding and polishing will smooth it out and bring up the gloss.
Do a search here, on other forums and Google for tips and instructions.

if all you've got is home depot and auto zone , use regular rustoleum gloss black for the paint.
i don't know shit about clears, but you stuff they sell at HD probably won't be worth a damn. art stores (michales, dick blick etc) sell this shit called 'triple thick'. its a clear but it goes on hella thick. might work better than a bunch of thin layers that are gonna get cooked by the sun.

Everything that "worn" said. Duplicolor has always worked out great for me. The high-build primer is my favorite primer because it's more forgiving on sanding through to the surface prior to the finish coats. Remember that rattle can paint goes on a lot thinner than when using a spray gun so you have to be carefull not to spay it on too heavy or it will run. And yes, the prep definitely determines the finish. Don't skimp on the prep.

When I use a foam roller or a gun, I use Rustoleum paint in pints and Mineral Spirits to cut it. When I need to rattlecan something (usually black) I use Rustoleum Appliance paint.

Thanks for your help guys! I will probly go with the Duplicolor form autozone. I think mine around here has a gloss black and a clear that will do the job.

Great heads up on the Varathane, I will stay away for sure.

Can I get SprayMax in stores or is it online only from like coastairbrush?

You can just use several coats of Rustoleum then sand and buff without clear.

IMO, DupliColor makes the very best rattle-can paints, primarily because their spray nozzle is excellent and does not typically spit or such.

Here is what I recommend. Thoroughly clean the helmet with dishwasher soap and water. Wet-sand the helmet surface with 800-grit or 1000-grit. Spray on 2 or 3 light/moderate coats of DupliColor primer and allow 20-30 minutes cur time between coats. Spray on 2-3 moderate coats of DupliColor black... if you allow the primer to sit ovennight then scuff the primer lightly with wet 1000-grit to get better adhesion. Top with a couple coats of SprayMax... it is readily available on-line and delivered to your door.

Have fun with it!

www.flamethrowercustoms.com
www.flamethrowercustoms.blogspot.com

Originally Posted by OhioFlameThrower

IMO, DupliColor makes the very best rattle-can paints, primarily because their spray nozzle is excellent and does not typically spit or such.

Here is what I recommend. Thoroughly clean the helmet with dishwasher soap and water. Wet-sand the helmet surface with 800-grit or 1000-grit. Spray on 2 or 3 light/moderate coats of DupliColor primer and allow 20-30 minutes cur time between coats. Spray on 2-3 moderate coats of DupliColor black... if you allow the primer to sit ovennight then scuff the primer lightly with wet 1000-grit to get better adhesion. Top with a couple coats of SprayMax... it is readily available on-line and delivered to your door.

Have fun with it!

www.flamethrowercustoms.com
www.flamethrowercustoms.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for your help!

For a helmet should I use the Spraymax 2k clear or can I use SEM 1K High Solids Clear. Whats the difference? The store has SEM 1K High Solids Clear in stock but I would have to order the Spraymax.

Also I know the SEM 1K High Solids Clear is UV resistant is the spraymax 2k UV resistant?

i like to use the engine enamel paint and clear coat. cant think of the brand but it comes in gloss and matte colors. i use that shit on everything. holds up really good.

Just avoid the stuff thats supposed to have a wrinkle finish, the effect is too random and unreliable. Used it for racing stripes and it's really odd. Tough stuff but weird looking.


Sent from your prison purse.

You don't really need the SprayMax for a helmet... that stuff is good for tins (especially gas tanks) because it's essentially catalyzed clearcoat in a rattlecan so it's gasoline-resistant. But the SEM clearcoat should be just fine for a helmet.

www.flamethrowercustoms.com
www.flamethrowercustoms.blogspot.com

I'm working on my first helmet now and I used the duplicolor primer and it looks great so far I think. I gave it like 3 coats (20 min in between) and plan on letting it dry for about an hour or two then I'm gonna start with the paint job. I also plan on sanding it before I apply pain with 1000 grit. I drilled out the snaps because I ordered new ones so I can finish the inside of the helmet as well.
here are some progression shots.



Also I just ordered the spraymay 2k today because I want to do my helmet and hit my gas tank after a spill I had

So far so good, I like that helmet, its going to be a good looking lid when you're done.


Sent from your prison purse.

OhioFlameThrower: Thanks for the tip. I guess I might go with the SEM, especially because I just got a call from the paint guy and said his warehouse is out of 2K right now. Not to mention, the SEM is quite a bit cheaper. PS I checked out your blog and site, looks good man! You do some real great work!

Detale: Dude looks good man! That helmet should be rad, keep posting pics, I wanna see how it comes out. Got any pics of the Dupilcolor primer your are using? Came out good.