Starting to prep a Mata Hari cabinet for paint... after applying Kilz oil based primer, will be applying the base color with Molotow Signal Yellow, and then Signal Red and Black for the secondary colors... given the mantra ‘just enough paint to cover’, how many cans will I need for both primary and secondary colors?

My guess would be 2 for primary, and 1 each of the secondary - should this suffice?

Also would like a suggestion on a better cap to use, assume some type of fat cap?

#Mata Hari

They’re high quality, smooth spraying, with a really good pigment load, don’t drip/run and dry hard.

A lot of the sprays out there have a poor pigment load and/or just look too lumpy when applied IMO... I try to paint cabs with minimal paint to achieve more of a flat look (no edge felt between base and secondary coats) that EMs sported from the factory.

Since I don’t have the time or want to spend the $ on lacquer paints/pigments, I feel this is a decent alternative.

oh yeah, they also have over 100 colors, with real nice color match for the cab I’m restoring.

I’ve also heard Ironlak and Montana brands are just as good.

I was going to try it after having issues with my last cabinet repaint with some bleed through... was planning on rolling it on... what’s your issue with it?

You can also try 'Bombing Science'... cans were a 1$ cheaper when I ordered, and unlike ordering from Canada, the cans got to my house in 3 days.

Here's what you want:

https://shop.bombingscience.com/molotow-premium-400ml.html

I'd say they're in the middle of satin and semi-gloss... so to me they look perfect for EMs. Finishing up the base color today, I'll post some pix once the paint dries.

After many hours prepping the cabinet, its base color time... I used a Kilz primer, and very light coats of base yellow, followed by sanding first coat with 400 grit, 2nd and 3rd coats with 600... for best results wait for the paint to dry to sand (at least 12 hours on a light coat), and let the sanding pad or paper do the work.

I have found that the Molotow paint cans cover well, with the exception of their yellow colors... so I'll be ordering a few more cans today... a total of
6 cans base, 2 cans each black and red; that may be a bit much, but I'm running tight trying to get this machine ready for the York show, and would rather have a bit too much paint than too little.

For future reference, basecoat color 5 cans, 2ndary colors 3 cans, at least that's what a Mata Hari repaint required. Have some leftover in case touchups are required down the road.

Great info... could you give a few examples where you might have to order more???

Pinball Pimp stencils... you will be amazed how nice it looks and how ... that is if you don't care about the "no overspray" look. Oil board stencil material would most likely work equally as well, although I have not tried with the Molotow/Montana yet.