Can I used plain enamel paint?

[I’ll give it a go]

I spotted a nice but what looked like a vintage blue colour in super cheap auto today. Could I use that and then sand it and then apply clear coat?

[Brendan]

Generally stay enamel with enamel. If you're going enamel base - I'd say look for an enamel clear.

[I’ll give it a go]

Thanks Brendan👍🏼

[Andyxlh]

agreed. A polyurethane clear should go over enamels OK as they have the same solvent base I believe... but check on a scrap bit!!!

[Sonic Mountain]

Hmmm, yeah I would definitely test before mixing finish types.

Is the enamel the cheap export stuff? It's not really that great in terms of finishes. They tend to fade and wear pretty easily. They are definitely NOT compatible with the automotive acrylic lacquer.

The automotive stuff has a pretty good range of colours and also has a good undercoat and clear coating system. I've done a number of guitars with is and so long as you are patient and follow the instructions you can get very nice results.

Some examples:

[I’ll give it a go]

agreed. A polyurethane clear should go over enamels OK as they have the same solvent base I believe... but check on a scrap bit!!!

thanks Andy

[I’ll give it a go]

Thanks Sonic, the paint I saw was from an automotive shop. It’s from super cheap auto an auto store in WA.

[Sonic Mountain]

Yep I buy a fair bit of stuff from Supercheap, which is why I know they carry a few different sorts of paint. They stock both acrylic and enamel and the two do not go together.

[I’ll give it a go]

I understand now mate thanks.