paints for stomp boxes?

[rustypinto]

if there is already a useful forum topic for this, by all means direct me to it.   But i was wondering what the best type of paint and clear coat is to use for aluminum enclosures.  Also, what is the best way to add labels.  i already have an acrylic based clear coat.  Should i use acrylic based paint too, or will another type of paint work with it?

[cd]

Look for the thread "zvex style labelling" further down, everything you need to know is there.

[Mark Hammer]

I was recommended to use engine paint, which you can get from any/many of the auto parts places.  All the varieties I've seen have at least a little bit of metallic quality to them, but nice colurs generally.  I've used it on a number of boxes and been pleased with how hard and fast it dried.

[vanhansen]

I was recommended to use engine paint, which you can get from any/many of the auto parts places.  All the varieties I've seen have at least a little bit of metallic quality to them, but nice colurs generally.  I've used it on a number of boxes and been pleased with how hard and fast it dried.

Mark,

Did you have to bake it afterwards?

[Mark Hammer]

I don't know if I "had to" but I did.  Nice thing about engine paint is that anything intended to be on your engine block anticipates high temperatures quite comfortably, so it baked better than a lot of stuff I've tried.

[R.G.]

if there is already a useful forum topic for this, by all means direct me to it.

Go read the Guitar Effects FAQ at GEO - http://www.geofex.com

Bake it with a used toaster oven. I got mine from Goodwill, about $7.00.

[Paul Marossy]

I have had good success with Krylon spray paint and Testors spray enamel. The key, IME, is getting a good coat of primer on the enclosure. I then spray a clear coat over the finished graphics. Since my pedals stay on my pedal board and can't be banged around, they have held up very well, some for several years now. In the summer time, I let it sit outside for about an hour. At 110 deg. F or so, it cures pretty fast, but not totally for about a couple of days. I'm just careful with my new creation for a couple of days after painting. After that, all is good.  

[vanhansen]

I don't know if I "had to" but I did.  Nice thing about engine paint is that anything intended to be on your engine block anticipates high temperatures quite comfortably, so it baked better than a lot of stuff I've tried.

Cool.  I'll have to try that when I box my NPN Boost.  Just waiting for my parts to arrive from Smallbear.

[petemoore]

Primer,Yellow basecoat, Redcoats, the clearcoats...IIRC
 These Chopper Guys on TV were using some Mario Andretti Paint, a proprietary Red color they got their hands on [I'm sure there are clones that come Close'], anyway these guys did some interesting paint schemes.
 The paint guy spent about 1 minute explaining the process, how many coats of this or that, conciesly and completely, I can't remember the exact episode. These Chopper Guys paint expert dudes have done their homework.
 He did the [relief] superflames on a gastank using pinstriping, longthought and great finesse in placing the tape, cutting the tape, and multicoat painting the box then removing the tape and clearcoats, the aftershading with purples etc. really set it off.
 I would be more inclined to try such art, I just don't like the smell of strong solvents..oh yeah, first I'd use a helmet/faceshield, connected with a long tube from a console hair dryer with the heater element dicsonned.