Metal paint for rack enclosures?

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Sean Sullivan
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Metal paint for rack enclosures?

Post by Sean Sullivan » Wed Sep 16, 2009 11:48 am

I got two pretty nasty looking multivox units and I want to repaint them. Does anyone have suggestions?
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The Scum
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Post by The Scum » Wed Sep 16, 2009 1:52 pm

Metal is easy to paint poorly, and hard to get right.

First, you need to know what kind of metal it is - steel uses some different techniques than aluminum. You need to find a suitable primer, and prep the metal according to the primer instructions.

(I once spray painted a little MXR-style box, only to have the freakin' latex peel right off the box as I was assembling it, leaving me with a little halloween-mask copy of the box...no primer or prep involved...result was heartbreak.)

I'd be surprised if you couldn't find decent instructions at Krylon or Rustoleum .com.

If you want a really good finish, the other option would be to find someone experienced to do it for you, like an auto paint shop or powdercoating place.

AstroDan
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Post by AstroDan » Wed Sep 16, 2009 6:41 pm

If you want a really good finish, the other option would be to find someone experienced to do it for you, like an auto paint shop or powdercoating place.
Exactly what I was going to recommend, powdercoating.
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Nate Dort
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Post by Nate Dort » Wed Sep 16, 2009 7:17 pm

remove all the old paint with wire wheel, sander, chemical stripper, etc.

soak it in a degreaser like Greased Lightning or Simple Green, rinse

Wipe it down with naptha

spray it with an automotive lacquer + clearcoat
or
have somebody powdercoat it

The Scum
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Post by The Scum » Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:06 pm

Seeing all of Nate's steps for prepping the work reminds me:

Someone who's in the powdercoating business probably also has a sandblaster to aid in the strip & prep.

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