Re: ATM What's the best flat black tube paint?

[Brad Davy <bdavy@bigdog.fred.net>]

At 07:59 PM 2/17/97 -0000, Andy Hochstetler wrote:
>I'm having a similar problem with adhesion to the tube.  I was wondering, 
>how long is the tube that you're painting?  How do you reach the far 
>middle?  I assumed the problem that I was having was caused by not being 
>able to adequately reach the area being painted and only getting a 
>"dusting" of the paint onto the tube.

My tube is 73".  I'm just reaching in from both ends with the spray can in
hand.  Long sleeves are a must, and plenty of ventilation.  Start from the
middle.  Most spray paints say to be about 12" from the surface, so with a
27" reach, that means I can get to about 39" - more than enough to get the
73" tube.  

>
>I had thought about getting a roller to apply paint with; but, I don't know 
>a good paint that doesn't come in spray form.  I've been using the Krylon, 
>which has a nice finish (if only it would stay put!).

To put on the Krylon Polyurethane, I used a 4" foam roller.  It compresses
enough to lay flat against a 10" tube.  It would be a problem with a smaller
tube.  Using a wooden extension handle, I could paint the tube with no
problem.  The gloss of the Krylon had the extra advantage of helping me tell
where I hadn't covered well with the Testors.

Now I'm thinking of trying to find a clear fixative to overspray the
Testors.  It seems to adhere well, but if I rub my fingers against it, I
again come away with a fine black dust.  Anybody know if this is just a side
effect of flat black paint?  I seem to recall a similar problem a few years
ago when I painted my outdoor grill.

Another side of me says don't worry about it.  I won't be rubbing the inside
of the tube, and the dust doesn't fall off, so the mirror should be safe.
Brad
bdavy@fred.net               http://www.fred.net/bdavy/home.html
bdavy@nox.cs.du.edu