What paint for frequently handled props

[UncleSam]

Hello everyone. I did a quick search and didn't find what I was looking for. Please excuse my noobishness if this question has been answered before. What kind of paint is best to use on frequently handled props? I am working on a TNG type2 Phaser that I plan to use as a laser pointer. It will be handled pretty often as part of my work. Years ago in my youth I created this laptop using Testors modeling paint.

I remember after a time the paint began to feel tacky where my hands rested on the laptop. I ended up putting a sticker in that place to keep my hand from making the paint worse... Is there a type of paint that doesn't have this characteristic? What do you and the Pro prop builders use? Does it become tacky over use? Is there any kind of paint that holds up to heavy wear or do the Pros just repaint their props every so often?

 

[robn1]

I had similar problems with my builds, the paint just wasn't very tough. It's hard to find a good tough paint these days, unless it's for professional use. Polyurethane paints, like car finishes, are very tough but are nasty to use.

A few years ago I tried out oil based enamels, Rustolem Professional.

It dries very hard and tough, but it took a couple of months to get there. I found Valspar's hardener additive for oil based paints and tried it, worked great.

Add a little to the paint, 16 parts paint to one part hardener, mix and let it sit for 30 minutes. You then have an 8 hour window to use it. The paint needs 12 hours to dry, but it will be hard as nails when done.

The drawbacks are color choice, very few available and most are gloss. Black and white are available in flat, satin, semi gloss and gloss. Colors can be mixed to make custom colors. The other drawback is that you need equipment to spray it. I use a small cheap spray gun from Harbor Freight

A small compressor is needed to run the gun. Use acetone to thin the paint for spraying.

But the paint is tough, and fairly inexpensive. The hardener is a bit pricey but it goes a long way.

 

[UncleSam]

I never would have thought to use Rustoleum I didn't even think it would stick to plastics.
Thanks for the tips Robn1.

 

[robn1]

You're welcome. As for sticking to plastic, I've used it on resin and fiberglass with no trouble. The parts were primered, I use Duplicolor filler primer and Ace premium primer. The enamels stick just fine to these.

 

[Robiwon]

I used Duplicolor Automotive lacquer on my Stapleton Cricket phasers. It holds up pretty well to continued use. I mean, not that I run around the house with my phasers prettending to shoot at things and then being told by the wife to settle down because I was scaring the animals and ....and....


Yeah, I used Duplicolor automotive lacquer on my Cricket phasers.....

 

[robn1]

Yes those Duplicolor auto sprays are great, as long as the right color is available. If you need a flat gray they won't do. They do have flat black, but most of the colors are metallic.