[bpc]

Ok, so I've decided to paint my marker. I've spent the better portion of a week reading the forums, looking at you tube vidoes, researching the kind of look I'm going for. I'm fairly confident in my ability to get this done and have a decent looking marker when it's all said and done.
I saw the following pic in your forum and would like to try to replicate it
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e253/Mic...gerStripeSM.jpg

With that being said, man I have a million and one questions to ask lol help :-)

I want to take my time and do this right. Ok so here goes...

My marker:
98c pro act

My tools:
A dremmel
Elbow grease

What I have done so far:
I have completely taken apart my marker
I have cleaned it inside and out with warm water and dish soap to degrease it.
I am in the process of sanding the outside of the marker (what a pain by hand)

My questions
What grade sandpaper should I use on the outside? Is there a tool I can use with the dremmel that would make it easier?
Should I put down a primer? If so which one works best?
I am going for the spray paint and tape method. I do not have or have ever used any other method. What type of paint should I use? I hear about
duracoat which would be perfect but I guess it doesn't come in spray cans so that kind of rules that out.
Should I put anything inside my barrel when I paint it or should I carefully tape each little hole so nothing goes in?
I want to paint my hopper as well. this being plastic, do I also sand it? if so what grade?. Do I use a different paint on it? I read somewhere Krylon plastic
paint. Is this a good idea? Also, is there a primer or sealer I should use with it?
For stencils, I am going to use 3m tape, now to create the designs, do I stick them to cardboard, draw out what I want and use an exacto knife to cut em
out? Any suggestions on a material other that cardboard to keep the tape somewhat sticky?

Any advice from the pros would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks al,
B

This post has been edited by bpc: 08 June 2009 - 06:55 PM

[ger]

bpc, on Jun 8 2009, 09:52 PM, said:

My questions

• What grade sandpaper should I use on the outside? Is there a tool I can use with the dremmel that would make it easier?
  Keep the sandpaper at 200 or above, you don't want any deep gouges in the alum. you just want to get it as clean as possible. For the dremmel I used a wire brush attachments to get into the crevices, pick up a couple if you can because they'll wear out.
  
  
• Should I put down a primer? If so which one works best?
  I prefer using a primer - two light coats should be fine, just enough to make it even. I'd find a primer that is the same brand as the finish coats you choose.
  
  
• I am going for the spray paint and tape method. I do not have or have ever used any other method. What type of paint should I use? I hear about duracoat which would be perfect but I guess it doesn't come in spray cans so that kind of rules that out.
  Duracoat is definitely the best option... but also the most expensive. I used Krylon for my marker & it's held up amazingly well. Try to find all the colors in the same brand of paint, don't use a rustoleum for one color & Krylon for the other two. I had the issue when painting my marker multicam w/ rustoleum not drying properly & getting some minor checking in the finish when layed over Krylon.
  
  
• Should I put anything inside my barrel when I paint it or should I carefully tape each little hole so nothing goes in?
  Pack the barrel w/ paper towels really tight where the porting is, that should suffice. Make sure to tape off the threads if you're painting the barrel separate from the marker (which I suggest you do).
  
  
• I want to paint my hopper as well. this being plastic, do I also sand it? if so what grade?. Do I use a different paint on it? I read somewhere Krylon plastic paint. Is this a good idea? Also, is there a primer or sealer I should use with it?
  Most plastics still have a bit of a waxy film to them (it's from the molding process used to manufacture them). It needs to be sanded pretty well just like the marker. But again, no gouges in the material. Use the same Krylon on the hopper as you did on the rest of the marker.
  
  
• For stencils, I am going to use 3m tape, now to create the designs, do I stick them to cardboard, draw out what I want and use an exacto knife to cut em out? Any suggestions on a material other that cardboard to keep the tape somewhat sticky?
  For tiger strip just rip the tape, don't cut - it gives that nice jagged edge effect. I think there's a tutorial on here somewhere on tiger stripe, if I find it I'll post the link. If you decide you want to cut anyways, find a cutting mat at an arts & crafts store (maybe walmart). Between my marker w/ all the add-ons, two hoppers, my mask & my cousins mask I've used an exacto to cut probably close to 100 patterns out by laying painters tape on it, they cut great & pull off perfect.

Good luck man. Make sure to post up the results when you finish. Good or bad, the forum can learn from your successes & mistakes.

[bpc]

cool man this helps. little nervous about the whole thing but hey... It's a learning experience.

I'll post results when I can... Taking my time so I do it right

[ger]

bpc, on Jun 11 2009, 09:25 PM, said:

cool man this helps. little nervous about the whole thing but hey... It's a learning experience.

I'll post results when I can... Taking my time so I do it right

No reason to be too nervous, it's just paint. If you mess it up just sand it off again. Make sure everything you don't want paint on is taped over... remove those internals & set them aside. Taking your time is the most important thing. If you rush it it will look rushed, if you take your time & do all the prep work the end result will be much better. Most importantly have fun doing it!

[lowrider4lyfe]

ger hit that on the head 100%. If you don't want to get a cutting mat from mall-wart, you can go to the kitchen (or your moms kitchen) and borrow a nylon cutting board like for cutting vegetables, they work great too. I don't suggest the wooden ones.