Best spray paint to use?

[jodebg]

I need to paint a pallet fork frame and another attachment that
will also get some use and abuse.

I have cleaned and primed the pallet fork frame and now need to
select a good brand of paint that will be durable. Any advise
on brands that you have had good luck with.

I plan to paint both attachments black, and with spray cans.

Will a gloss black paint be more durable than a low gloss finish?

I see Valspar offers a low gloss black. Not sure if this is actually a flat black?

 

[LD1]

I dont think any single part spray can paint is going to be that durable. At least not as much as a two-part enamel or urethane.

But, some are certainly better than others. when it comes to spray paint, you get what you pay for IMO. Cheap stuff dont cover well, run, takes longer to dry, and just isnt as good.

For rattle can stuff, I like rustoleum industrial or krylon "tough coat" Every color I have tried covers exceptionally well, with the exception of yellow (but no yellow covers well)

 

[southernAL]

I just recently painted a light bracket on my tractor with Gloss black Tractor paint in a spray can that I got from Tractor Supply. It covered well with no runs. But thats the extent that i've used it, so I can't really give that good of a review.

 

[motoman3b]

Prime with a good self etching primer or epoxy primer and coat it with por15 really durable paint!

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have air painted a lot of equipment. Now, when I can (if it isn't too big) I just use Black Gloss Tremclad. I wouldn't waste my money on primer and find that although the paint may stick, the primer doesn't. Just scratches off with the paint on top!

I try and buy the bonus cans when on sale. Also, when you get a scratch, it's super easy to touch up. And Gloss will look like Semi-Gloss in short order anyway. Plus, (usuallly) only Gloss White and Black come in the bonus cans.

The only thing to watch for is runs. I HATE runs!

 

[Jay4200]

I plan to paint both attachments black, and with spray cans.

I've had pretty good luck with Rustoleum gloss black. Incidentally, if you want an inexpensive dead-perfect match for Kubota Orange, use Rustoleum "Lobster Red" - $3.77/can at Walmart. I bet it's the exact same stuff as inside the $13 Kubota touch-up cans.

 

[George2615]

I second the Rustoleum and Krylon for rattle can spray. Using a spray gun I use Industrial / implement paint usually bought at TSC or NAPA.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Using implement paint through a sprayer is hit and miss in my experience. Usually, it works best with a new gravity type sprayer. If you thin it out, you either loose gloss or it becomes very patchy.

I used to buy new (cheap) sprayers on sale at Princess Auto. Use them, and return them, saying they do not have replacement filters for them which is true. So, it's no good to me.

A friend has airless equipment and industrial enamal I sometimes use, but I find it almost impossible to avoid massive runs.

EDIT: In my mind, there is no such thing as a durable paint, in ground engaging applications. I talked to a disgrunted Horst (HLA) Snow pusher owner who claimed that all the paint was gone from the front of his blade, after the first use. I'm sure that was totally due to poor prep, and not the paint. Actually, someone should build a line of stainless steel buckets.

 

[daugen]

The toughest rattle can paint I've found is the ceramic paint used on appliances.
problem is finding that in gloss black.
I don't think you can go wrong with Rustoleum Industrial or Valspar
but I'm going to be in the camp that says prep is everything. If you don't get the grease, oils and waxes off almost perfectly,
don't think it will matter what you put on. Isn't going to stick...
Tremclad is just Rustoleum in Canada, same stuff.

I've done a lot of rattle can painting and restoration and it's hard to beat a clean surface, an etching primer, and several top coats.
A clear coat on top of that helps retain some gloss and really is just one more layer of protection.
So I'd worry more about the prep and less about which major brand is better. Though I think the TSC Majic stuff is a bit thin at times. I miss the old Valspar paint
they used to carry.

I know there are one part poly paints for boats, pretty expensive stuff, don't know what is available for implements but I'd think anything with plastic or epoxy in it would be more durable under heavy wear.

 

[jodebg]

Thanks for the feedback.

I had to touch up some missing paint on a John Deere today.
Bought a can of Rustoleum JD green. I must say, it was an excellent color match,
east to use, and a very nice smooth finish. If it stays on, I'm all set!