... painting and priming metal ...
Apr. 16th, 2003 12:09 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
guppygrrl.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
craftgrrlJust wanted to mention a few things I've picked up regarding painting metals. *grin*
* There is a craft paint primer for metal surfaces, to keep it from rusting at a later date. However, the only place I've ever seen it is at Joann's. I'm sure my local stores just aren't carrying it. It's by Deltacoat.
* I've found it's easier to decorate/cover tins that already have writing and images on them by throwing a layer of spray paint primer on them. I used to sand the tins down until no paint remained. Now I just give a quick coat of the primer and in 15 minutes I can start working on them! The primer I'm using is made for cars (maybe? I got it at PepBoys) and is called "Sandable Primer". It's dark grey, which can be a problem if you're using light colored spray paints on top, but works fine if you plan to use acrylic craft paints on top of it. I'm sure there's lighter primers out there - I just didn't know any better at the time.
* Spray paint formulated for cars comes out in a tall line, instead of a wide circle. Do a test somewhere else first - I love using the stuff, but every can is different. And unfortunately, unlike all other spray paints, you can't change caps with the stuff made for cars.
* Some of the spray paints for cars are absolutely amazing! In particular, I'm currently in love with "anodized -insert color here-", which looks like really shiny aluminum. Fantastic! However, I've noted that, at least with the red, it's a transparent kind of thing. Still, over my dark grey primer I got a neat anodized maroon...
* Spray paint works great on metal, and can be the best way to get a nice, even base color on your item, without brush strokes. Sand lightly with a very fine grit (just barely rough it up - you don't want to change the look of the base at all) and you can use any other kinds of paints on top after.
* Spray paint is reasonably cheap and can be found at any hardware store. You can get tiny cans of spray paint made for models at hobby shops. You can also get tiny cans at hardware stores sometimes.
* Glitter spray makes everything look swanky. ;)
~Kissy, going back to painting her former Altoids tins now that the primer's dry...
* There is a craft paint primer for metal surfaces, to keep it from rusting at a later date. However, the only place I've ever seen it is at Joann's. I'm sure my local stores just aren't carrying it. It's by Deltacoat.
* I've found it's easier to decorate/cover tins that already have writing and images on them by throwing a layer of spray paint primer on them. I used to sand the tins down until no paint remained. Now I just give a quick coat of the primer and in 15 minutes I can start working on them! The primer I'm using is made for cars (maybe? I got it at PepBoys) and is called "Sandable Primer". It's dark grey, which can be a problem if you're using light colored spray paints on top, but works fine if you plan to use acrylic craft paints on top of it. I'm sure there's lighter primers out there - I just didn't know any better at the time.
* Spray paint formulated for cars comes out in a tall line, instead of a wide circle. Do a test somewhere else first - I love using the stuff, but every can is different. And unfortunately, unlike all other spray paints, you can't change caps with the stuff made for cars.
* Some of the spray paints for cars are absolutely amazing! In particular, I'm currently in love with "anodized -insert color here-", which looks like really shiny aluminum. Fantastic! However, I've noted that, at least with the red, it's a transparent kind of thing. Still, over my dark grey primer I got a neat anodized maroon...
* Spray paint works great on metal, and can be the best way to get a nice, even base color on your item, without brush strokes. Sand lightly with a very fine grit (just barely rough it up - you don't want to change the look of the base at all) and you can use any other kinds of paints on top after.
* Spray paint is reasonably cheap and can be found at any hardware store. You can get tiny cans of spray paint made for models at hobby shops. You can also get tiny cans at hardware stores sometimes.
* Glitter spray makes everything look swanky. ;)
~Kissy, going back to painting her former Altoids tins now that the primer's dry...
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