Paint finishing??????

[bostonswoop]

Hello All,
I need a wee bit of advise on finish work of speaker cabinets..
Is there a thread i couldnt find in here about finishing the out sides?
I wanted to toss out an idea b4 i start to pursue it. I wanted to use Automotive spray gun for applying my paint to my new subwoofer? just wondering if anyone has experiance or advise on what to use for paint and primer and any tips in general?
Kinda of a vague post but i hope it spurs Pics of projects and im sure some quality advise.

[ingrast]

I just finished the subwoofer below, with an unconventional paint method. I mixed regular synthetic enamels to obtain the color and then mixed in twice as much clear nitrocellulose laquer - a home made "Duco" style paint - and thinner as required. Applied several layers (spray with manual bug kill pump) sanding in between. Adjusting the mix viscosity you can obtain a textured finish both good looking and easy to wipe and keep clean.

For the stripe, I masked and applied clear laquer, then sanded and polished with paste.

Hope it helps

Rodolfo

[ingrast]

Another shot

Rodolfo

[bostonswoop]

that looks great i bet those pics dont even do it full justice! So thats an automotive style paint eh nothing special was needed even tho you used it on MDF?
How many coats of primer ? And how many coats of paint would you guess?

Part of the reason i was leaning toward auto paint is the volume of choices in color. Not that i was going to do anything other then a Black or really Dark blue or a mix. lol
good stuff tho i like that alot....

[ingrast]

Yes it is MDF and no, I did not use primer at all, just paint. As to how many coats I cannot remember exactly for I made it during a long time span interrutped by other projects.

Just use as many coats as required to obtain a smooth flat surface after sanding (wet sanding # 120 to speed things). The beauty is paint dries almost instantly when mixed with laquer so you can sand about 2 hours after application. Dry and clean with alcohol before painting.

Here is another example, this time top and sides were lacquered clear and polished.

Rodolfo

PS for sanding I use a rectangular knife sharpening stone wrapped in sanding paper, to ensure a perfectly flat surface.

[bostonswoop]

intresting no primer. Those other pics are good also are the flat black fronts with glossy sides nice.
So did you used auto paint with laquer ? or is somthing else? whats the ratio of laquer to paint?
i like how they all have the stripe also you trade mark i take it? Makes for a sano style all you.

[bostonswoop]

anyone else have any painted speaker pics ? id like to see examples specialy if you live far from me muhhhaa then no one will know if mine just happen to look similar.....

[ingrast]

A couple of notes. I used not auto paint but ordinary synthetic enamels mixed to get the desired color. I guess auto paint may be used directly without lacquer mixing, but it is much more expensive (at least here). In my case, I mixed two parts lacquer and one part paint.

I am also in no way an finishing expert, but like to do and find out things by myself. Certainly there are plenty of much more knowledegable specialists in the forum to give advise.

Rodolfo

[bostonswoop]

If you did that without any outside help at all bravo! i have a problem of over analyzing and trying to get all the angles and talkin my self rite into somthing else. If in the end mine comes out anywhere near that i will be happy.
So regular enamel you purchased at like a paint store? cheaper is good i havent priced car paint so it may be more here also.

[ingrast]

Originally posted by bostonswoop
... i have a problem of over analyzing and trying to get all the angles and talkin my self rite into somthing else. ...

Nothing wrong with that, on the contrary. Unless it leads to paralysis, which I hope is not the case.

Rodolfo