Newb needs tip on using spray paint can.

Joony

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2001
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I'm trying to paint PVC pipe, i sanded it down using 220 grit then applyed the first layer, after drying i take my fingernail and scratch the paint and it gets all shiny and stuff, i spray another coat thinking it will stop but it still does the shiny when scratch, then the 3rd coat same thing. Am I using the wrong stuff? I'm using Testors flat black enamel, would using Krylon Ultra Flat black be much better? I don't want the getting shiny thing...gets annoying incase i accidently scratch it or something
 

amnesiac

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
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Um maybe you should have put a primer coat on.. and a topcoat afterwards..
I'm not a painter so I could be wrong.
 

AnthraX101

Senior member
Oct 7, 2001
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Well, the most important thing is to picture what you are going to write in your mind, before you hit the button...

Oh wait...never mind.

*Eyes the room with suspicion*

Armani
 

Joony

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2001
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i don't think the primer would do anything, but the topcoat probably, some paint expert please comment
 

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
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If you polish flat paint, it gets shiny. Stop rubbing it out so that it's smooth and shiny.

edit: and testor's makes paint for models, it's not intended to be in use at any point. If you dont want it to get shiny, let it dry for a couple days and then sand it with 200 grit paper.
 

Joony

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2001
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notfred: sand it down after how many coats? and how much should i sand down?
 

Therapist928

Banned
May 29, 2002
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I worked in a paint store for a couple summers, so I know what's up.

First you don't necessarily need a primer as long as you sanded it down carefully. Make sure you do a good job and that most of the surface is rough enough to let the paint stick. A primer may help things if the paint won't hold, if so it is possible to get primer in a spray can - but this shouldn't have too much to do with the top coat looking shiny.

Second, you need to be a little more descriptive. Do you mean the paint looks like flat paint (a little rough, no sheen) but gets shiny as soon as you scratch it? What kinda shiny? Glossy or is it actually wet?

I've never heard of Testor's products; furthermore flat black enamel is an oxymoron considering enamel is the generic term for paint with a high sheen to it, flat paint has no sheen and feels a little rough. However with a pvc pipe, I assume it will be in a place with alot of moisture, like the basement or a bathroom? If so you don't want to be using flat paint anyway, since flat is very breathable and allows for buildup of mildew and other residues. If you absolutely hate having a high sheen, and must have flat paint, you can get additives to the paint to prevent mildew.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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does testors paint work on pvc? i know you have to get special paint for lexan
 

amnesiac

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
15,781
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AFAIK Testors only makes paint for models and such. I don't know if it's appropriate for PVC...but certainly not for any use where you'd actually be touching it. Use something hardier like the Krylon you mentioned.
 

Colt45

Lifer
Apr 18, 2001
19,720
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just get some ghetto rust paint (tremclad [i forget name], rust-o-leum, etc)

i guess its primer in a way.. it sticks to bare metal, etc..

should stick to this stuff too.
 

amdskip

Lifer
Jan 6, 2001
22,530
13
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ehhh, rust-oleum is nasty stuff. Get some kylon or something that specially says flat. Enamel is the most glossy paint you can purchase.
 

Therapist928

Banned
May 29, 2002
85
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Well I must say I'm impressed with the effort you put forth, providing a picture and all.

The first thing we ask in the store when someone comes in looking to buy paint is, "what are you using it for?" so I must pose this question to you - what are you going to be doing with it? Are lots of people going to be handling it? Is it going to be on display? Will it ever actually be used for plumbing?

From the picture it looks like (this is a big "like") that perhaps the paint you're using isn't sticking well enough to the PVC pipe, and you may need a primer. This is assuming that you have left ample time for the paint to dry (read the label on the paint can) and that it still smudges when you rub it. I am not sure whether to recommend Krylon paint or not since I don't know what you're doing with it, but Krylon is pretty cheap stuff - like $4-5 a can. If the Testors brand stuff doesn't work out, might as well try the krylon, you'll probably need more black spray paint some day.
 

Joony

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2001
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i'm just going to stick it onto my airsoft gun to make a mock supressor (cause they look cool!) instead of buying an expensive metal one for like 50 bucks...I think only myself would be handling it but it will be brushing up against branches and terrain in airsoft games. I actually just picked up a can of Ultra flat black Krylon at the store for 2.37 but the can won't seem to spray...i shook it for 2 minutes and it still won't spray, i turned the can upsidedown and tried to spray and nada, so i'm going to just exchanged it today hoping my can of Krylon was a dud.
 

cthulhu

Golden Member
Feb 19, 2000
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That's a nice pic. That phenomenon is called marring. Notfred said the paint you used is for models. This would not be the right paint for your project. I am not familiar with the different spray paints available but you want one that is tuff. A good bet would be a paint for exterior use.
You probably don't need a primer for pvc. A primer has two main purposes. First, to protect the substrate from rusting, rotting, etc. Second, to give the topcoat a good surface to adhere to. It was a good idea to ruff up the surface of the pvc by sanding. If you don't care for the surface of the paint after it has dried, simply sand with a fine grit sandpaper and/or apply another coat of paint.
Good luck.

BTW...What is airsoft? Is this the same as paintball?
 

Joony

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2001
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ah...then the krylon stuff should do good.

Airsoft is paintball that uses guns that are replicas of real guns but fires 6mm BBs and the guns are mainly automatic electric guns and not those crappy 100 dollar cheap spring rifles/guns.