I am working on a project where I need to have a different color behind engraving. Using stain isnt an option because of the amount of “soaking” that could occur.
Want to find what will give the best result - using a can of krylon (for example) or a “regular” can of paint using something like a foam brush to avoid brush marks in the paint?
Would using something like a small airbrush (this is a small size project) be something I should look at?
Thanks,
Ron
I have an air brush. You have to have the right paint for it to work well. Plus it takes longer to clean the air brush than it does to paint your work. It is handy to have an airbrush but there are times where it is more of a pain than other methods. Rattle cans work but it is easy to spray too much. If I use a rattle can use a spray can handle.
It helps keep my finger from getting tired and also helps point at the project better.
I bought one of these a week ago. Have not tried it yet.
As with most things the ratings are very mixed.
Cullen, I would be curious how that paint system works for you. Cleanup, how to estimate how much paint to put in, ease of use and cleanup.
Brian
I’ve got a similar practice with paints that @gdon_2003 listed. The airbrush provides the best results, with the right paints, but cleanup can take awhile - although I’ve gotten a lot quicker and better with it than when I started.
For ease of use and time efficiency I often use the rattle cans.
For smaller elements, fine details and touch-up, I’ll brush on either the air brush paint or dispense some paint from the cans to brush on.
If you are planning to mask a painted surface, give it time to cure (24 hours) before masking it, otherwise you’ll likely have a lot of it come off with the masking. Just my experience with it - forced me to exercise some patience which I haven’t always done with ease.
I will let you know when I try it. I don’t know if it’s a single use item from the perspective of the cartridge. Even if it is, it may still be a better solution if it actually works. Much better if you can spray one color, run thinner or other cleaner through and then spray another. I haven’t even read the instructions yet. I am sure an airbrush would give you much greater control.
I spray projects (signs, plaques, etc.) all the time with regular, off the shelf spray paint cans before I carve them. It works fine. I also frequently stain hardwoods before I carve them. That works fine too. I don’t have any issue with the stains soaking down too far into the woods on hardwoods anyway.
For base coats I first seal the pores with shellac and then use Ironlak acrylic spray paint. It is graffiti paint that dries really quick. You can get different nozzles to adjust the spray amount. The best price I’ve found is from Hobby Lobby for around $6 a can. They also sell them by the case online.
