[lacro]

I recently found a pretty good paint for MDF. A new Runnings store opened in my area. While browsing the new farm, ranch, outdoor store, I discovered a Matte Black oil based implement paint that looked interesting. The 1 qt. can was very heavy indicating there was a lot of pigment packed inside. For $11.99 qt, I figured it was worth a try. IMO/ matte black is the perfect color for stands, speakers, equipment racks, etc.

I have an old Adire Audio Tempest sub I built 10 years ago that has been collecting dust for years. It was a huge ported box that worked great for HT, but was just too big for my small room "man cave" I cut the raw MDF box down to make a sealed front firing cube. I coated the box with epoxy tinted with graphite powder.

I decided to roll on the matte black paint to get the stipple look I wanted. First I tried a 3/16" Wooster foam cover which gave me a perfect "leather look" but I couldn't get rid of the roller tracks. I switched to a mohair cover, and finally got the finish I wanted without the tracks. The paint is great to work with, covers easily, drys fast, and has almost no odor (VOC's) for an oil based paint. I don't know about durability, but being an oil based implement enamel, it should hold up well. It can be sprayed as well.

Here's a link:
(Note the description in the link states 1gal. gloss black, but it's actually 1 qt. matte black)

http://www.runnings.com/paint-and-primer/majic-paint-town-and-country-tractor-truck-and-implement-oil-base-enamel-1-gal-matte-black.htm

[bdp24]

Sounds good. I too like matte black, or even better "eggshell", which is just a hair above matte in sheen. I'm going to be trying the paint the Hot Rod guys are using on their rides, Blitz Black tractor paint by John Deere. It is offered in both big buckets and 16 oz. spray cans. It looks really cool, very Rock n' Roll-ish!

[lacro]

Sounds good. I too like matte black, or even better "eggshell", which is just a hair above matte in sheen. I'm going to be trying the paint the Hot Rod guys are using on their rides, Blitz Black tractor paint by John Deere. It is offered in both big buckets and 16 oz. spray cans. It looks really cool, very Rock n' Roll-ish!

Actually, JD Blitz Black is a great paint! There is a local "Dollar Store" that sells stuff from stores that went out of business or otherwise get rid of items. They had qts. of John Deere Blitz Black for $1. I bought 1 qt. I wished I had bought more When everyone was transitioning to low VOC paints, they had to get rid of the high VOC stuff by a certain date. This store had lots of high end paint brands in qts, gal. and aerosols, all sold for $1. The original JD Blitz Black was a high VOC paint. Not sure what it is now, but the paint from Runnings is their answer to the John Deere Blitz paint.

If you want the BEST aerosol black, try Krylon Industrial Tough Coat. Part #A03725 semi flat black. You won't find it in retail stores. It's only sold by Industrial & MRO Distributors. It has the best nozzle, high solids for easy coverage, and is very durable. The semi flat black is the exact color of audio/video equipment, and racks.

http://www.krylonindustrial.com/products/tough_coat_acrylic_alkyd_enamel_aerosols

[bdp24]

Man, great minds think alike ! I was looking for the Krylon Semi-Flat I used to use (for the vintage drum restoration I do), and found out it was now available only for industrial use (at least in California---we have the strictest emission regulations in the U.S., I believe. When I was in Grammar School in S. California in the late 50's, schools would close on really bad smog days---eyes stinging and tearing, lungs burning, uncontrollable coughing---it was bad, maybe why so many people I know have died of Cancer---and instructed to stay inside!), with a new part number. I found it at an Art Supply company in Burbank that sells to professional/commercial photographers, TV and movie set design studios, etc. I'll get a can of the Industrial Tough Coat too, for painting the upcoming OB/Dipole H-Frames I'll be building. Thanks!

[Danny Richie]

That looks like a pretty good deal.

Keep in mind though, that I stock and sell DuraTex coatings. And it even comes with the roller.

It is also water based. So you can use it indoors (no fumes). And it cleans up with just water rinsing.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=129047.0