Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (
More info?)
"Anthony Kapolka" wrote:
> ok, so I'm setting up to try my hand at some cabinet repainting. (The
> cabinet was so damaged I had to replace the bottom and front; so
> repainting this one shouldn't offend anyone.)
>
> I want to match the paint a little better than being limited to colors
> available in spray cans; so I need a paint sprayer. I don't know a
> thing about these; can you point me to a reasonably priced one that
> would be good for a beginner (e.g. easy cleanup.)
Well, there's effectively 2 parts to this problem- getting "matched" paint,
and then the equipment to spray that type of paint. There's a cheap way to
go and an expensive way to go.
The cheapest method might be to have a local house paint store (Home Depot,
Glidden, Dulux, etc.) match the paint to something like a latex enamel and
then spray it through something like a Wagner paint sprayer- this is really
just best for shooting the whole cabinet as it's rather high-volume-
primer/sealer and basecoat color typically. For small artwork (stencil
designs), you should go with aerosols or a small volume gun like an
airbrush, etc. Some stores even have a "do it yourself" aerosol applicator
that you can put your paint in (thinned quite a bit) and pressurize, then
spray. I haven't used one of these as yet, so not sure how it works, but
it's inexpensive and with work like this you have to expect that you'll get
what you pay for...
Figure roughly $20 per gallon (minimum) on matched color latex enamel paint.
You can sometimes get Kilz primer/sealer on sale for $10 per gallon- usually
a few bucks more when not on sale. The Wagner unit runs typically $90-$120.
Not sure on airbrush costs- you usually get what you pay for on those too-
there are a lot of low quality ones, and very few high quality ones. Priced
accordingly. You may even be able to rent some of this equipment- that is
an option that may save a few bucks.
There's a lot of prep and cleanup with this method. But lower cost.
A more exacting/high-quality method would be to have an autobody supply
store match the colors you need into an acrylic enamel. This has to be
mixed at prep time with a reducing agent (temperature sensitive) and
optionally a catalyst which is a paint hardener. These have to be shot
through a high quality airbrush or HVLP gun or siphon-feed air gun, and
require not only the expensive equipment, but an air compressor, hose, air
regulator, filter, and of course mask/filter so you don't breathe the nasty
stuff. The paint matching itself is expensive- not only in labor, but in the
material itself- neither are cheap. But they are the best if you want a
dead-on match and high quality paint/finish. Most supply shops will match &
supply paint only in a quart or pint/2-pint minimum, which is usually around
$45/quart for the paint, and possibly $30-$40 for the matching work.
There's a lot of prep and cleanup with this method. And high cost.
Some autobody supply shops can put the matched paint
(non-catalyzed/non-catalyzable) into a custom-made aerosol can which is nice
as it eliminates all the expensive equipment and clean-up. With the aerosol
can method, including the paint matching, paint, and aerosol cans, figure
roughly $15-$20 per can for the cost. Per color. Estimate 3 cans of each
color will run around $90-$120- that's typically what we've paid in the
past.
There's a minimum of prep work and cleanup with this method. Moderate cost.
This may be the way to go if budget allows.
Most games use a solid color for basecoat, then 2 colors for the "artwork"
stencil design. Some older EM games will have a "webbing" or "spatter" coat
over the basecoat that you can replicate via aerosol cans sold at
craft/hobby stores.
Hope that helps!
Ray J.
--
Action Pinball & Amusement, LLC
Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Web: www.actionpinball.com
We're serious about pinball. Anything else is just for fun!
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