Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 11:13 pm
Here is my process, and it works really well for me
1) Sand the pipe down with a medium grit sandpaper, to take off any deep scratches, discolorations, etc.
2) Sand the pipe down with a fine grit sandpaper, to give it a nice smooth feeling.
3) Take a rag (I use a piece of a cut up white button down shirt), and use it to apply laquer thinner to the pipe. Rub the laquer thinner all down the pipe. After doing this, the pipe and fittings should have a dull clean finish. The laquer thinner does a good job taking off primer stains, if I remember correctly (haven't painted in about a year).
4) Take a spray can of paint meant for plastics, and apply a very light layer. If done right, there should still be some white patches, and even the part that is painted is not completely opaque. Wait 10 minutes, and do this again. After about 5 cycles, the pipe is perfectly opaque.
5) Follow this up with a spraying of a few layers of clear paint, for protection.
This process does take a long time, but works well for me. The key is to avoid paint runs. If you put too much, and a drip of paint appears, its basically ruined in my eyes. You want it smooth and even, so start with only a little bit of paint.
1) Sand the pipe down with a medium grit sandpaper, to take off any deep scratches, discolorations, etc.
2) Sand the pipe down with a fine grit sandpaper, to give it a nice smooth feeling.
3) Take a rag (I use a piece of a cut up white button down shirt), and use it to apply laquer thinner to the pipe. Rub the laquer thinner all down the pipe. After doing this, the pipe and fittings should have a dull clean finish. The laquer thinner does a good job taking off primer stains, if I remember correctly (haven't painted in about a year).
4) Take a spray can of paint meant for plastics, and apply a very light layer. If done right, there should still be some white patches, and even the part that is painted is not completely opaque. Wait 10 minutes, and do this again. After about 5 cycles, the pipe is perfectly opaque.
5) Follow this up with a spraying of a few layers of clear paint, for protection.
This process does take a long time, but works well for me. The key is to avoid paint runs. If you put too much, and a drip of paint appears, its basically ruined in my eyes. You want it smooth and even, so start with only a little bit of paint.