I’ve scoured this site and the internet regarding what spray paint to use for my Benofkent pack. I had previously used Krylon MAXX on a DIY build and loved it. However, I only had enough for one coat on the shell before running out. Now, I can’t find it anywhere locally.
I tried Rustoleum Satin and found it to be too glossy. I had only done it on the bumper and a few small pieces, so I was able to sand it off and prime.
Next, I moved to Rustoleum Professional Flat. I thought I liked it until I compared it to the Krylon. It looked grey in comparison.
Last night I almost tried the 2x Rustoleum that I have seen on a few packs here, but remembered some complaining it takes a long time to cure?
I plan on weathering my pack. I want it to look used, so maybe the Professional is solid enough? This is by far the hardest part of the build for me and I am really stressing about it.
Rustoleum Pro is the best I’ve ever used but to get it looking right you need to give it some additional treatment. You can look in my build thread for details if you’re interested. Worked great with weathering.
I have been using the Rust-O-Leum Satin Black. It is glossy, but I like it. The nozzles are a pain in the ass, though. Nothing like the nozzle on the Rust-O-Leum grey primer, which is rather easy to use.
Free shipping over $35, otherwise I think $6 but you can ship to store for free at any price, it will just take a few days longer.
Alternatively you could try a Satin/Matte clear coat over another paint.
You should probably be using a clear coat anyway though so I’m not sure if you’ve already tried that.
A good method of testing paint would be to grab a cheap plastic tub, prime it, then mask off sections to paint with a variety of paints.
You can even try different colored primers as well, the primer has a surprising impact on the final color, though I’m not sure how big a difference it will make on black.
For instance, a section of Grey primer and a section with Black primer, then once that is dry mask each of them off into sections for each of your paints, then once your paints have dried mask them off for a section of Satin and a section of Matte clear coat.
In the end you should have 4 sections of each paint, Primer/Paint/Topcoat.
Will let you find your perfect shade of black without having to continually clean off and resand your parts and as a bonus will let you look at all your options at the same time so you don’t have to rely on pictures or memory.
I don’t see “flat” as an option, but I swear that is what I got…maybe it is semi-gloss? Your pack looks perfect…I will try to take a pic of the Pro vs Krylon tonight.
I bit the bullet and did a coat on the shell with the Pro flat. Went and took a look this morning and I love it! I need to do a couple more coats this weekend (but it is unusually hot and humid). I am hoping to be done with the major painting this weekend so next week is putting the pack together.
The wand won’t be perfect. I do not have a light kit or the switches. So it will look pretty boring for now. The pack I can totally complete (minus lights and sounds).