Spray paint tips.

[bullittandy]

Thought I'd pass along a couple of tips that people may or may not know for spray paint.

The first is a rec for a spray paint. "Plastikote cast gray #285" is the best, most versatile spray paint I've used. Its a very dark, textured gray, that actually looks like cast metal. It is a great substitute for flat black on small engine bay items.

In addition to an excellent color, it dries extremely fast. You see, I'm very impulsive (witness my recent purchases) and have a hard time waiting for paint to dry-this stuff dries quick!

The second tip is an obvious one but still helpful. Most spray paint is meant to be sprayed between 70-90 degrees but I always heat up the spray cans under hot water until they are very warm (not hot), the increased pressure makes the paint atomize better and sprays easier and smoother.

Hope this is helpful.

[Haitian_King]

Thanks for the tips Andy. Any pictures coming?

[goody90q45]

The second tip is an obvious one but still helpful.......I always heat up the spray cans under hot water until they are very warm (not hot), the increased pressure makes the paint atomize better and sprays easier and smoother.

Good suggestion. I never thought about doing this with a spray paint can but it makes sense. I have done this with shaving cream. It feels nice. When I was younger I had a buddy whose dad, a crazy aerospace engineer (they're the worst), had him heating up opened gallon cans of exterior oil-based trim paint with a can of sterno. After about 30 minutes over the flame the paint flowed into the cracks in the eaves pretty nicely.