Painting help— How to spray paint?

Question

Ok this is my first time ever using spray paints. I'm trying to just redo my laptop since all the paint is chipping anyway.

I got everything already, different colored spray paint, I have all the basics down.

But now I have a couple questions, I have blue, white, black paint.

How can I paint a lighter shade of blue?

and more advanced, how can I paint a gradient from white to blue to black, if it's possible?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Don't hold the can too close, the excess paint will run as it's sprayed on if it's too close. Nine or ten inches away at minimum.  

Answer 2

Hi,

I won't answer to your questions since I use spray paint sometimes, but not as to make those effects.

Your laptop's paint is chiiping because its surface was not well prepared and will happen the same if you don't do so. Unless you buy some proper sprays (which we don't have here in Portugal as far as I know).

Now, you'll have to sand all its paint because if you're going to paint ove paint that may come off...

Knowing what material one is going to paint over is a must, especially if it's ABS (complicated).

Then you have to use a plastics adhesion promotor (I know that Krylon have their Fusion paint that can be applied to plastics).

Ah ! Don't forget to degrease the plastic first, this is very important. Make sue you use a light one so it doesn't ruin your laptop. Maybe you can just use alcohol.

Then apply the primer for plastics (Teroson and 3M have a good one).

Again I tell you that ABS plastics are problematic if that's the case.

Then wait about 30 minutes and apply a 2K primer with 2 thin layers.

In the next day - you could apply the paint after two hours but lets do it like this - sand it lightly with a very thin grain sandpaper or sanding sponge. Clean the powder and pass a tack cloth (it's a cheap gaze (?) that one buys at automotive paint stores that removes lint and gives an anti-static property to the surface).

Agitate the can and press the nozzle first into the air to see if it comes out ok.

Apply the paint at about 8 inches in light passages and lose the nozzle after each passage i.e. don't keep your finger on it all the time.

Apply to thin crossed layers so it doesn't run.

Wait about 10 to 15 minutes (read instructions) and then apply another layer. Then it's up to you to see the layers that you need.

Remember that more layers more danger of chipping.

Good luck,

Joséhttp://theartinquirer.blogspot.com

Answer 3

the closer you get to the object you're painting, the darker it will appear. for lighter shades of colors, just hold the spray paint bottle further back.

for a gradient, hold the bottle close to begin with, and then gradually pull the bottle back, and then with the next color, just over lap the end.