Making Your Spray Paint Pop- Simple Ways to Get Great Finishes!

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Have you ever wanted to paint something "real quick" with a rattle can but it just never turns out well? Let me share a couple of tricks I use when using Spray Paint that have helped me get fantastic looking finishes without breaking the bank!

I tend to use rattle cans for most of my projects- it's just easy. With a few simple tricks, you can get great finishes with good old fashioned rattle cans!

Yes, you've probably seen most of these tricks already, but they bear repeating. AND!!! One of these tricks will make all the difference in how well your paint works!

This Instructable is geared more towards painting metal, but these techniques can be adapted to any surface - plastic, wood, glass, etc.

Supplies

Supplies:

Paint!

Latex Gloves

Blow torch, hair dryer, oven, or other heat source

Sand paper

Lint free towels or rags

Masking tape

Other important things to have:

A clean safe place to paint protected from dust and inquisitive little kids...

Good ventilation!

TIME. Be patient, don't rush!

Step 1: PREP!

Tip 1 - Take the time to prep the surface.

There are many schools of thought on metal prep. This isn't our main idea with this Instructable but we'll talk about it real fast.

Surface prep is incredibly important. Whatever you are painting MUST be free from dust, dirt, oils, moisture, or anything else or you are going to have issues.

Sand, grind, wire wheel, wipe, whatever you need to do to get the metal clean and smooth. The more time you spend on prep, the better the paint will look!

Step 2: USE GOOD PAINT!

Tip 2 - Use good paints.

I *love* Van Sickle tractor paints. They are available at CAL Ranch stores and go on easy and seem to last a very long time! I have used dozens of brands of Spray Paint and they all have their strengths and weaknesses.

The best way to figure out which paints work for you is, well, Step 3. Practice!

Step 3: PRACTICE!

Tip 3 - PRACTICE.

You will discover that every brand and even sometimes different colors have different traits. Practice with your paint so you know how thick you can put it on before it runs, how long it takes to dry, and what the finish looks like.

The best thing you can do to master a type of Spray Paint is *READ THE INSTRUCTIONS* on the can!!! You should know-

How far away to hold the can

How thick to make the coat

How long to wait between coats

How many coats are recommended

How long it takes for the paint to dry to the touch

How long it takes for the paint to be cured - fully dry

How to clean the nozzle when you're done

Any safety precautions for that particular spray

Step 4: THE SECRET INGREDIENT!!!

Tip 4 - Find a way to warm your project.

In this video, I use a blowtorch to heat the metal a little bit. You can see the moisture and oils leaving the metal as it warms up. Again, PRACTICE!!! Too hot, the paint will scorch and you'll have to start over.

***OPEN FLAME SHOULD NEVER BE USED NEAR SPRAY PAINT!!!***

Heat your metal somewhere well away from any combustibles.

The goal with this step is to get the metal hot enough that any moisture and oil is burned off of the surface.