the count
May 2, 2012, 08:17 PM
I recently got interested in custom paint jobs while watching Nutnfancy's DuraCoat jobs on Youtube. Somewhere I read some really good reviews on Brownells Alum Hyde II, with some guys saying its practically just as good. Fast forward, I ordered Aluma Hyde II Coyote from Brownells along with a dozen replacement spray heads (luckily I read all the reviews). The can of paint is only about $12 plus shipping, much cheaper than a DuraCoat spray kit, which is more like $30. Everybody says prep is everything, so lightly sand any rough areas or spots with burrs. Then hose off all parts to be painted with brake cleaner in the spray can. Yes, I just used the stuff they sell at WallyMart for about $4. I already used that stuff twice and it works like a charm at a fraction of the price of dedicated 'gun degreaser' sprays.
OK, when completely dry mask off the parts you don't want paint on. An Xacto knife helps in difficult areas. Use parts of plastic grocery bags and liberal amounts of blue painters tape. Then find a nice draft/wind free area like a corner in your garage or wherever. Shake the can real good, at least 1-2 full minutes. Prime the nozzle by spraying a few bursts on newspaper. Then lightly mist areas to be painted. This is like priming only using the actual paint. Wait a few minutes. You can use a hair dryer between coats to speed up the process. Then continue to put light layers onto each other with a few minutes in between. Never try to coat the entire area in one go. Sure way to get ugly runs. Better to hold the can too far away than too close. By the 4th or 5th layer you will have a beautiful uniform paint job. I am really happy with the results. Looks professional. Beats the hassle of sending the gun somewhere and waiting weeks, plus saving $$$
Now that its hot outside I am leaving the gun in the sun during the day (make sure nobody steals it :D ) Aluma Hyde takes a few days in warm weather to cure well, they say 2 weeks... I personally do not coat areas where there is a lot of friction between metal or metal/plastic since any coating will eventually wear off that way.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44723422/ah1.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44723422/ah2.jpg
OK, when completely dry mask off the parts you don't want paint on. An Xacto knife helps in difficult areas. Use parts of plastic grocery bags and liberal amounts of blue painters tape. Then find a nice draft/wind free area like a corner in your garage or wherever. Shake the can real good, at least 1-2 full minutes. Prime the nozzle by spraying a few bursts on newspaper. Then lightly mist areas to be painted. This is like priming only using the actual paint. Wait a few minutes. You can use a hair dryer between coats to speed up the process. Then continue to put light layers onto each other with a few minutes in between. Never try to coat the entire area in one go. Sure way to get ugly runs. Better to hold the can too far away than too close. By the 4th or 5th layer you will have a beautiful uniform paint job. I am really happy with the results. Looks professional. Beats the hassle of sending the gun somewhere and waiting weeks, plus saving $$$
Now that its hot outside I am leaving the gun in the sun during the day (make sure nobody steals it :D ) Aluma Hyde takes a few days in warm weather to cure well, they say 2 weeks... I personally do not coat areas where there is a lot of friction between metal or metal/plastic since any coating will eventually wear off that way.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44723422/ah1.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44723422/ah2.jpg
