Plasti-kote. What Type Of Paint?

[Dylanwad]

Does any one know what kind of paint the Plasti-kote paint you get in B&Q is (specificaly the super and metallic range). I've had different answers from different people! Thanks.

[Southpa]

They make both acrylic lacquers (called super lacquer) and enamels. You don't want the enamel.

[protex]

Like Southpa said, you do not want the enamel, as it seems anything containing a solvent wll dissolve it. Don't ask me how I know

[Dylanwad]

Thanks guys.

Who would have thought that there are so many types of paint? I seem to have a lot to learn. Better I do it now than find out after painting my guitar and the whole thing has turned into an expensive mess!

Should I buy a respirator to work with acrylic paint?

[SnowGTR]

Should I buy a respirator to work with acrylic paint?

You should use a respirator when working with any type of paint.

[Dylanwad]

Thanks.

Would this be acceptable.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...p;rd=1&rd=1

The reason I'm asking is that it costs less than a third of the one they sell in B&Q. I'm wondering why it's so cheap. I don't want to buy something that wont protect me properly.

[biliousfrog]

forget B&Q for paints, if you need to use a "high st" shop go for Halfords & use their car paints. They're tried & tested & will have a much larger selection.

[Dylanwad]

The local Halfords is next door to B&Q! Handy.

What type of paint are the Halford ones then? I assume they have compatable primer and clear top coat (what exactly should I be calling the clear 'laquer'/top coat?)

How long does it take for a coat af paint/top coat from the Halfords range to dry?

I suddenly feel like I'm asking too many questions! I'll stop now.

[Acousticraft]

Use only automotive lacquers in spray cans. They are harder, quick drying and better quality than enamels.

I used a metallic enamel to paint my first electric and every now and then it would spit and leave dark blobs.

They are still really only a second rate finish and I just wouldn't use spray cans for a guitar now after experience using lacquers with a compressor and spray gun.

[biliousfrog]

I'm not 100% on the type of paint, probably acrylic based but yes, they'll have compatible primer & laquer. If you're feeling brave they also stock a range of pearlescent & metallic finishes.

You'll find that they have a much better range & you can match the colour to any car that you might have seen.

[Batfink]

Yep, most of what 'accessory' shops sell will nowadays will be acrylic. There's lots of tut's on using 'rattle cans' on here - READ THEM ! As for length of time to dry, if it still smells of thinner when you sniff it, it ain't ready yet - it will all depend on how much you chuck on there at any one time and to a lesser degree what the general conditions are in the area where it's drying.

Jem

[WezV]

also worth pointing out that it is very tempting to keep adding coats to the guitars when it feels dry . . . but dont. If you do more 3-4 coats a day it will just make it take an extra long time to harden off properly.

I did a few with halfords paint when i was starting out and they turned out ok but i really piled the suff on and they stayed soft for quiet a while

[Prostheta]

+1 on the letting the coats cure well. Don't try and achieve the can colour within the first few coats otherwise you're going too quickly. Three or four coats should start to develop the end colour.

[Dylanwad]

Thanks for the input guys. The hardest part is picking a colour, I can never make up my mind!

[Prostheta]

For red, I really like Ford Pepper Red which is a metallic. Not pink or brown - just a nice deep dark red. Halfrauds will mix you up custom colours at the counter though if you're feeling naughty. I'm tempted to flip paint a guitar one day.

[biliousfrog]

if you want a custom colour, I can highly recommend Auto-Paint in St Helens. They'll mix it & put it in aerosols for you, very helpful people.

http://www.auto-paint.co.uk/

[Dylanwad]

Thanks for the link biliousfrog, I'll keep them in mind.

I considered doing the guitar in flip but decided to keep that idea for another day. The guitar I've got to play with is an old superstrat type thing and I thought that flip would be more effective on something like a les paul because of the curves. I am still very tempted though! There's a guy on ebay that sells it in cans.