air brush or rattle cans

[Mike BondarczukParticipant @mikebondarczuk27171]

[Mike BondarczukParticipant @mikebondarczuk27171]

I am now at the stage where my first engine is dismantled and being got ready for painting.

My question relates to which is the easiest and best way to paint the various aluminium and steel components of the engine, which is a Stewart Hart Horizontal.

My brush painting skills are pretty much zero and although I have had some experience at using rattle cans, with varying degrees of success am now thinking of going the air brush route but at the same time am seeking any advice in the subject.

I had looked at earlier postings on this topic but cannot find anything discussing both approaches with advantages and benefits, both positive and negative.

If the air brush route is the recommended one then any additional advice regarding choice of air brush type would also be very welcome.

Mike

[Martin NewboldParticipant @martinnewbold]

A little rant about cans I reccently bought Highcoat High Build primer and petrol inhibited Laquer. Was a nice finsh for a month until i cleaned my motor with carn cleaner it pickled the varnish and primer right off was the best paint stripper I have seen . Didnt expect this as the laquer was able to cope with petrol solvents on it

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I tend to use a bit of both with the can winning out at about 60/40.

Cans are quick and easy as there is no mixing of paint to correct consistancy, paint is usually more pigmented so less coats are needed, acrylic base means they dry quickly, easy to fuelproof if needed.

Airbrush allows finer control in restricted areas where a can will sometimes put out too much paint, tend to produce finer droplets so you can get a smootherfinish but this can mean more coats are needed. Takes a while to learn how to thin to correct consistancy. You also need a brush that can flow the thicker pigments of enamel paint, no point in using a top of the range artist brush that is more suited to ink than paint. Liek any other tool you get what you pay for.

For your aluminium you will want an etch primer, easiet option is Upol's Acid 8 from Halfords or e-bay. If airbrushing then Precision paints do a fairly easy toi use paint and dedicated thinner.

Have a look at my Gade build thread over on MEM where I went ionto a bit more detail about preping castings and painting.

J

 

Edited By JasonB on 30/06/2016 20:58:48

[Boiler BriParticipant @boilerbri]

I generally use Halfords cans and get quite good results, as with all paintwork its the preperation that counts.

I have had some spay cans from H and M in Manchester. The paint looks to go on like orange peel, but self levels and gives a great finish really deep.

I bought an air brush but have yet to try it, seems a bi of a pain mixing to get the correct mixture, cleaning out etc.

Boiler

[Mike BondarczukParticipant @mikebondarczuk27171]

Many thanks for the replies and it seems that so far the general consensus is that with careful preparation rattle cans should be OK to produce an acceptable result.

I have stared the preparation this morning and already have the etch primer mentioned so can commence the spraying.

Mike

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