What kind of paint should I use for a RO stormtrooper build?

[OrcaWave]

Hello, I've recently start 3D printing a RO stormtrooper helmet and will eventually print armor too. I was wondering what kind of spray paint anyone else has had success with. I've heard that standard white oil paints like the standard Rust-oleum can yellow pretty fast, like 3-6 months. I was curious if there is any truth to that or if that should be just fine for the long run. I was also wondering if anyone had success with water based spray paint, I saw they won't yellow but are more difficult to get right. Thanks!

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

I find Rust0leum very inconsistent and can run easily. 

 

Here's a few threads on painted ROTK helmets

 

[Sayless]

If you like the Rust-Oleum brand and live close enough to a Home Depot distribution center to get it, I can't recommend their Acrylic Lacquer Gloss White enough (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Automotive-12-oz-Acrylic-Lacquer-Gloss-White-Spray-Paint-6-Pack-253364/205762489). 

 

It goes down incredibly smooth, and if you do happen to get a run, it is super easy to sand out. Granted, getting a run with this stuff is pretty hard to do, though I've somehow managed to achieve that milestone twice. It costs the exact same as the stock in-store paint, but the unfortunate catch is that it has to be special ordered.

 

Alternatively, as others like Justin/TheRascalKing have suggested, Behr #52 Spray Paint is a great option you can just grab off the shelf for the same price (https://www.homedepot.com/p/BEHR-PREMIUM-12-oz-52-White-Gloss-Interior-Exterior-Spray-Paint-and-Primer-B001944/310275621).

 

However, since it is an enamel, it is prone to yellowing over time and will require a clear coat. If you go that route, keep in mind that 1K clears tend to yellow after about a year, whereas a 2K clear will last much longer, generally three to five years in my experience. The only caveat with the 2K clear is that it finishes just a touch shinier than standard R1TK armor. Also, because it's an enamel, you really have to be wary of your recoat windows and sanding down runs, which I've fallen victim to significantly. The saving grace is that Behr's nozzles are really good about preventing runs in the first place, so it is actually pretty hard to screw up.

 

Welcome to the FISD!

[Platinum Lex]

Welcome, a mistake that I made with some of my helmets and armor is that I painted white on with a flat coat, then added some gloss coat later once the base white had dried. I really like Sayless’ recommendations when it comes to paints and starting with gloss and clear coats, because some of my armor started to yellow with just gloss.

[OrcaWave]

2 hours ago, Sayless said:

If you like the Rust-Oleum brand and live close enough to a Home Depot distribution center to get it, I can't recommend their Acrylic Lacquer Gloss White enough (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Automotive-12-oz-Acrylic-Lacquer-Gloss-White-Spray-Paint-6-Pack-253364/205762489). 

 

It goes down incredibly smooth, and if you do happen to get a run, it is super easy to sand out. Granted, getting a run with this stuff is pretty hard to do, though I've somehow managed to achieve that milestone twice. It costs the exact same as the stock in-store paint, but the unfortunate catch is that it has to be special ordered.

 

Alternatively, as others like Justin/TheRascalKing have suggested, Behr #52 Spray Paint is a great option you can just grab off the shelf for the same price (https://www.homedepot.com/p/BEHR-PREMIUM-12-oz-52-White-Gloss-Interior-Exterior-Spray-Paint-and-Primer-B001944/310275621).

 

However, since it is an enamel, it is prone to yellowing over time and will require a clear coat. If you go that route, keep in mind that 1K clears tend to yellow after about a year, whereas a 2K clear will last much longer, generally three to five years in my experience. The only caveat with the 2K clear is that it finishes just a touch shinier than standard R1TK armor. Also, because it's an enamel, you really have to be wary of your recoat windows and sanding down runs, which I've fallen victim to significantly. The saving grace is that Behr's nozzles are really good about preventing runs in the first place, so it is actually pretty hard to screw up.

 

Welcome to the FISD!

 

Thank you for the recommendations, I will definitely order some. Are you saying the Lacquer paint takes a really long time to yellow or is the bottom paragraph for both. Thank you!

[Sayless]

1 hour ago, OrcaWave said:

 

Thank you for the recommendations, I will definitely order some. Are you saying the Lacquer paint takes a really long time to yellow or is the bottom paragraph for both. Thank you!

The lacquer paint should hold up longer without clear compared to the enamel paint. You’d probably get an additional year out of it depending on how often you go out and wear the armor.