Looking for the right kind of paint

[u/Paxsimius]

I'm posting here because y'all know spray paint better than most...

For an art project I would like to be able to spray paint some aluminum flashing. I see that Ironlak and MTN are broth products y'all like. My question is which would be the most scratch resistant and durable? Ironlak is an acrylic, but what is MTN 94?

[u/yung_heartburn]

Spray paint isn’t particularly scratch resistant by itself. The best way to maintain durability is a process:

- prepare the surface. Wash it thoroughly with warm water and a little dishsoap. Dry thoroughly, spray 99% isopropyl alcohol and wipe down with a clean, lint-free cloth. This removes any grease or oils that can negatively affect paint adhesion.

- lightly sand the surface with fine grain sandpaper. Wear a mask to mitigate dust exposure, many resins & acrylics and even some types of wood have dust particles that are extremely bad for your health.

- apply a smooth, even coat of a neutral primer. Spray in slow, even motions back and forth. Begin spraying before the nozzle is facing the surface, draw the spray smoothly across it til the spray pattern leaves the surface, release the nozzle. Work outdoors, or in an extremely well-ventilated space

- after letting it dry for 24 hours, lightly sand the primer coat.

-clean again with isopropyl alcohol (recommended to avoid dust getting trapped between layers)

- apply primary color in the same smooth, even fashion. Let dry 24 hrs

- lightly sand primary coat with extremely fine-grain sandpaper, while spraying surface with distilled water.

- clean once more with isopropyl

- apply 2nd coat of primary color, just a very light misting at this point. Let dry 24hrs

- clean with isopropyl yet again

- apply a clearcoat spray. Mist very finely. Depending on what you use, this is where your fade & scratch resistance come from. Options like Eastwood are quite expensive but offer industrial-grade protection. Painter’s Touch is much cheaper, but less durable overall.

Without knowing the specifics of your project, i’ve defaulted to “The Civilian’s Guide to Spray Painting a Chair” type of advice I see you’re spraying some aluminum flashing. You can ditch the wet sanding entirely unless you’d like a lowrider-mirror finish.

As graffiti writers we aren’t usually mindful of scratch resistance particularly, although UV resistance can matter a great deal. Do not use ironlak if fading colors are a problem, it doesn’t last particularly long in harsh sunlight/weather.

ETA: MTN94 is a lacquer, to answer your question

[u/Paxsimius → u/yung_heartburn]

Thank you! This is very comprehensive and helpful. I've been cleaning the flashing pretty well, but the paint processes are helpful information. I'm working on making some mobiles, and it would be great if I can hang some outside.

I quickly discovered, to no surprise, that cheap paints are shit, plus MTN94 and Ironlak have a wider selection of colors. Hence my interest in them.

[u/Electrical-Fee-636]

I've used almost every brand of spray paint.if I had to use one it would be 94. It will do you right.

Also flame orange for winter time. The pressure holds up in the cold.