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I used to spray paint enclosures, but due to several reasons (drip effect, color limitations, mess/space needed, other limitations, etc) I've been trying hand painting with acrylics. I'm using 'student' grade from a art shop. I haven't tried craft acrylics which apparently are better at bonding to any material and would probably be better for aluminum enclosures.

I've run into a coupe of issues:
1- Applying straight out of the tube is way too goopy. The hairs of the brush leave texture marks and it looks really goopy when dried. I've tried mixing with water which applied too watery for me, and with mediums which help but not significantly even at 50/50 mix (and gets expensive).

So far I've had the best result with a medium (the one I'm using gives a hint of gloss as well) however it still looks fairly goopy up close and not 'smooth', brush texture lines still present, etc. Looks great at a distance.

Any tips here? I haven't tried using a fine sandpaper, maybe that will help. Increase medium well beyond 50/50? Use water and medium? O_o


2- Application layers/opacity. I've tried using a etching primer, and just painting them raw without any noticeable difference - both require multiple coats to really eliminate seeing through the paint to the box. The primer actually makes it tougher I think as it adds a army green color that shines through until 3-4 coats of paint have been applied.

3- Any tips on technique out there? I'm sure I can google but acrylics are kinda neat in that you are supposed to have the ability to get more watercolor affect to more oil effect - I'm assuming by how much you dilute them with water/medium.

Acrylic isn't tough, do you go over it with a hard clearcoat? I would have thought if you want hardwearing brushable paints, you'd be looking at enamel/hammerite.

Ben79 wrote:Acrylic isn't tough, do you go over it with a hard clearcoat?

Yep

You could cover the enclosure with gesso then paint on that.


thats a joke

In all seriousness you can spray paint it with acrylic spray paint then paint on top of that but when painting by hand with acrylic you're probably going to have brush strokes.
Enamel will give you a smoother finish, then you can bake it and not have to deal with a clear coat.
What kind of acrylic are you using? like what brand. I recommend stevenson acrylics.

wafl wrote:You could cover the enclosure with gesso then paint on that.What kind of acrylic are you using? like what brand. I recommend stevenson acrylics.

I've used several brands, but primarily a local brand. Liquitex Basics often as well. I don't live in Canada, so Stevenson isn't practical. I don't think brand of paint will solve my issue, it's finding a dilution that will remove brush strokes but be opaque enough and bind More of a technique problem.

What kind of medium do you use, I've never seen acrylics diluted with medium because they are water based.
You could try doing many layers of fairly dilute paint.
Have you tried a primer?