Painted Micra Experiment

DaveK · **on:** February 02, 2010, 02:39:53 AM

I though I'd see if I could make a better fist of it than Leatherman could, and have painted a Micra in a fetching pea green colour.

Let's see how it holds up!

It looks nice now, but let's see in a week!

J-sews · **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2010, 02:42:42 AM

Looks good

(except for the color)

For some reason it seems paint doesn't like to stick to stainless steel

DaveK · **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2010, 02:45:26 AM

Well, when (if

) it starts to flake off, you may get a glimpse of what I did to it first. Put it this way, it's not particularly pretty - lol.

J-sews · **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2010, 02:51:32 AM

Quote from: DaveK on February 02, 2010, 02:45:26 AM

Well, when (if ) it starts to flake off, you may get a glimpse of what I did to it first. Put it this way, it's not particularly pretty - lol.

Ah, perhaps preparation is the key to success then?

jim guy · **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2010, 02:52:43 AM

Quote from: J-sews on February 02, 2010, 02:42:42 AM

Looks good (except for the color) For some reason it seems paint doesn't like to stick to stainless steel

Ive done a couple, use etching primer or bulldog first, it will stick.

trickknife · **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2010, 04:37:04 AM

Quote from: jim guy on February 02, 2010, 02:52:43 AM

Quote from: J-sews on February 02, 2010, 02:42:42 AM
Looks good (except for the color) For some reason it seems paint doesn't like to stick to stainless steel
Ive done a couple, use etching primer or bulldog first, it will stick.

Electro coating is the only way to change the color, but it doesn't look great.

Poncho65 · **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2010, 04:40:41 AM

Can't wait to see it in a week Dave

BIG-TARGET · **Reply #7 on:** February 02, 2010, 04:57:30 AM

Quote from: DaveK on February 02, 2010, 02:45:26 AM

Well, when (if ) it starts to flake off, you may get a glimpse of what I did to it first. Put it this way, it's not particularly pretty - lol.

Did you prime it before you paint it??

nuphoria · **Reply #8 on:** February 02, 2010, 05:33:52 AM

Wouldn't something like hammerite stay on better?

prime77 · **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2010, 06:18:54 AM

I like the color Dave. Looks good.

Zed · **Reply #10 on:** February 02, 2010, 07:17:12 AM

looks good dave, i just hope it sticks ok

paul

Neil · **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2010, 10:28:28 AM

I like the colour as well. Now put it on your keys in your change pocket

Magnus · **Reply #12 on:** February 02, 2010, 10:40:44 AM

Quote from: trickknife on February 02, 2010, 04:37:04 AM

Quote from: jim guy on February 02, 2010, 02:52:43 AM
Quote from: J-sews on February 02, 2010, 02:42:42 AM
Looks good (except for the color) For some reason it seems paint doesn't like to stick to stainless steel
Ive done a couple, use etching primer or bulldog first, it will stick.

Electro coating is the only way to change the color, but it doesn't look great.

Actually, you can anodise stainless steel.

MultiMat · **Reply #13 on:** February 02, 2010, 10:56:10 AM

Keen to hear how it holds up Dave

, I am planning of having a go at painting Micras as well & was leaning towards etching primer first

Gareth · **Reply #14 on:** February 02, 2010, 11:43:35 AM

Quote from: nuphoria on February 02, 2010, 05:33:52 AM

Wouldn't something like hammerite stay on better?

That was my thought as well, IIRC they've done both the classic and a smooth finish for a good long time now. I'd give the steel a good 'key' with some sandpaper first though. My guess would be that while I don't think it would flake off, it would still chip and wear down some.

Looking forward to seeing how yours holds up Dave.

Benner · **Reply #15 on:** February 02, 2010, 02:32:15 PM

Looks good

MultiMat · **Reply #16 on:** February 02, 2010, 02:42:58 PM

Dave I have just noticed you have painted the inside of the handles. I have wondered if that would cause any problems with tools sticking or scrapping the painted surface, have you noticed any change with tool deployment or scrapping in your one mate

AHB · **Reply #17 on:** February 02, 2010, 02:51:28 PM

Looks good, Dave..

Can't wait to hear how it holds up..

1jump2many · **Reply #18 on:** February 02, 2010, 03:11:15 PM

Dave,

Great idea for an experiment. I'll be staying tuned to see how well it wears.

DaveK · **Reply #19 on:** February 02, 2010, 08:27:42 PM

Sorry folks, been working hard!

The Micra was an old painted one that I'd nitromoresed ages ago, so there was no polished finish, then I scuffed that up with sandpaper to get some sort of key.

The paint is a Plasti-kote spray enamel.

Yup - it's painted inside and properly, obviously I completely stripped the tool down before starting, sprayed on the paint, and reassembled when it was dry. One of the handles has been drying for about 6 months actually - the other got about 24 hours

The tools open and close perfectly - there's no scraping or anything, and the only place the paint will be scraped at all is on the edges at the scissor end, which touch when opening the thing up. There's already some silver on show there, but I guess that's inevitable given the way it opens.

Otherwise, so far, so good.

1jump2many · **Reply #20 on:** February 03, 2010, 12:13:18 AM

Oh.......you mean you didn't have it bead blasted first, then take it down to an expensive auto body repair business to have it cleaned, primed, painted and baked with a custom enamel? And the of course had several coats of clear coat applied?

DaveK · **Reply #21 on:** February 03, 2010, 12:19:13 AM

Err yeah, that's what I meant of course

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #22 on:** February 03, 2010, 03:00:27 AM

Looks like the base color for a camo paint job to me...

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