# Paint recommendations for art project **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 22, 2014, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paint-recommendations-for-art-project/707881 "2014-12-22T03:56:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paint-recommendations-for-art-project/707881/1 "2014-12-22T03:56:59Z")
I am toying with the idea of taking an object and painting it completely in a monochrome high-gloss finish. I just don’t know what kind of paint would work. I am thinking some kind of enamel. See [this page](http://thepaintedfurniture.com/the-top-shades-of-red-paint-by-the-most-famous-designers), scroll down to “Red high gloss lacquered bombay chest” to see the kind of effect I am looking for. Any idea how this is done? If it’s a really big production that requires a lot of specialized (i.e., expensive) equipment I’m probably out of the game. But I don’t mind investing a little elbow grease. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paint-recommendations-for-art-project/707881/2 "2014-12-22T04:04:16Z")
Prep your object well, prime it with tinted primer, paint it with high-gloss enamel (I would use oil base, not latex, for an “object”, it sticks better, and resists abrasion better), and if you think that isn’t shiny enough, varnish it. ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paint-recommendations-for-art-project/707881/3 "2014-12-22T04:10:28Z")
Use good brushes and work quickly to avoid paint streaks or lines. Multiple thin coats work better than one thick coat. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paint-recommendations-for-art-project/707881/4 "2014-12-22T04:34:47Z")
You don’t have to use oil-based paint - most aren’t as good as they used to be, back in the day. Most quality paint manufacturers sell [acrylic alkyds](http://www.sherwin-williams.com/home-builders/services/paint-technology-and-application/sw-article-pro-waterbasedacryl.html) now, which are better than oil (alkyd) coatings and way easier to work with. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paint-recommendations-for-art-project/707881/5 "2014-12-22T08:17:08Z")
I would use at least two coats of acrylic paint, followed by several coats of gloss varnish. But be careful to apply the varnish slowly, so as not to create bubbles. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paint-recommendations-for-art-project/707881/6 "2014-12-23T02:35:08Z")
How about spraying, either using a sprayer or paint in a spray can? Also, the link I pointed to talks about lacquer but none of these answers suggested lacquer. Any reason to use or not to use a lacquer?