paint job protection (oz source)

[saxtim]

What do people use to protect their painted enclosures?  I've been using a 2 part polyurethane (a wooden floor laquer) which is tough and durable, but it is a royal pain in the arse trying to get a smooth coat as it has to be brushed on and its quite thick.  I've seen a urethane spray in the local hardware store that is for wood surfaces - I'm tempted to try that as the laquer I've been using is supposed to be for wood too but seems to go ok over enamel paint on aluminium.  What are other people using?  Specifically, anyone in Australia would be great and a source where you bought it from!  I now smallbear sells a urethane spray, but can't ship it - something like that I imagine would be cool.

thanks
tim

[Ansil]

i use a clearcoat from the dollar store.  but i mostly use ti on my fabric pedals.  otherwise i use 5 minute epoxy.  then sand it down.

[smallbearelec]

Since people in Oz do travel in cars rather than on Kangaroos (!), I presume that there are stores there that sell auto parts and body-repair materials. That's where you would likely find a local brand of clear-coat.

[brett]

Yeah, auto paint clear coat works very well.  I tried a urethane spray but didn't like it.  Also, cheap clear-coat from Silly Solly/Crazy Clarks doesn't seem to dry as hard as the auto finish.  A big $12.50 can from Super Cheap Auto does about 10 boxes.

[Eb7+9]

What do people use to protect their painted enclosures?

The last few units I finished using Charlie's AVERY t-shirt technique were coated with MINWAX fast drying Polyurethane ... I use 320 or 400 grade sand paper over a flat block to rub off the bumps (very lightly) and then sprayed one last coat to cover scratches ... I was told that if you use too light sand paper to get rid of bumps the last coat might lift off over time ...

I'm curious to hear from anyone who's used Epoxy for finish, I guess you'd apply it with a brush - and I'd expect air bubbles to stay imbedded ... any problems at that level ?!

... JC

[sfr]

often times brush on finishes can be put in an airbrush type spray gun, although they often need to be properly thinned.

[Ansil]

What do people use to protect their painted enclosures?

The last few units I finished using Charlie's AVERY t-shirt technique were coated with MINWAX fast drying Polyurethane ... I use 320 or 400 grade sand paper over a flat block to rub off the bumps (very lightly) and then sprayed one last coat to cover scratches ... I was told that if you use too light sand paper to get rid of bumps the last coat might lift off over time ...

I'm curious to hear from anyone who's used Epoxy for finish, I guess you'd apply it with a brush - and I'd expect air bubbles to stay imbedded ... any problems at that level ?!

... JC

epoxy is easy to get no bubles iin.  you use the quick set stuff and put it on thick and use a trowel or some straight edge to get it level  then sand off the excess. quite easy however

[jimbob]

Ansil- what brand name do u use( of the epoxy)? Ill giver a try- And what stores carry it?

[Ansil]

i will have to try and find the package it is in the paint and adhesive section in wal mart..  its like 1.99usd  and its a 1 minute set time and a 5 minute workable time..