Lacquer, Enamel, Epoxy ...which paint to use on armor??

[DL 44 Blaster]

I'll be painting a set of Snowtrooper armor soon and was wondering what you guys thought in terms of paint mediums to spray bomb armor for a smooth finish.

Personally I thought Epoxy at first, but thought it may not have enough "give" and crack in time. I love the stuff as it's as durable as they come, but again....not sure.

Enamel.....the standard, but it doesn't always settle super smooth and takes some wet sanding in between to achieve a slick finish.

Lacquer, my final choice. Slow enough setting to give a nice smooth, durable finish yet friendly enough to take flexing and the test of time.

While I have used all three on multiple things I have never painted armor......Sooooo which would you guys choose and why???

 

[exoray]

For plastic armor, I would go for Krylon Fusion or one of the generic knock offs... They hold to plastic incredible and take the flex... I have also had good results with the finish...

 

[DL 44 Blaster]

You know, I thought about it, but remembered some of the not so great things I heard about it when it first came out.... so I stuck with the "classics" for choices.

I'd love to hear the different opinions that start rolling in as I still have the receipt and would swap out my Lacquer if someone would sway my choice. Pics of a painted piece would really help

 

[DL 44 Blaster]

....any other opinions?

 

[moff man]

I use rustoleum in the tall silver can, white gloss, great color match to most ABS, holds up well.

 

[MsngPcs]

Rust-oleum High Performance Enamel. :thumbsup
I've used it along with regular gray primer or plastics primer with equal results on TK armor/ helmets.

 

[MsngPcs]

Just to add to my original post.
I wet sanded the helmet with 600. Primed. Waited for full cure time. Wet sanded with 600. Painted.
I wouldn't call that "difficult" to get a great finish, but it was defintely a waiting game more than anything else.
It's as shiny and a perfect color match to FX armor just to give you and idea of color and shine.
As for Krylon for plastics it not bad. It just takes 7days to full chip resistance. Most that have had trouble don't allow the full time. Regardless of what you decide reading AND following the directions is huge in getting good paint results.