What kind of paint to use?

[Davcruz]

As some may remember, I am rebuilding an old wood Dumas barrelback for my Dad as a gift. It needs new paint, looks like what is there now is lacquer and fairly thick. I have already scuffed it well and repaired a few spots, but I am not sure what to paint it with. I don't have an airbrush but I do have a regular paint gun, I would probably prefer a rattle can though.

Any ideas or recommendations on what type of paint to use.

Boat can be seen HERE (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=381105)

[Oian]

It would help a lot if you knew what the original paint was as compatability may be a problem. If it really was laquer then epoxy is not a good choice as it does not adhere well to laquer. When I was in Florida and running RC boats I did a lot of work with candy and pearl laquers. Using any nitro in the fuel will ruin the finish, so I tried clear epoxy. The boat was stolen and recovered and tested for fingerprints and when they used clear tape to remove the prints it peeled the epoxy coating very cleanly off the boat. Catalysed urathane finishes are very fuel proof and go very well over laquer and acrylics but have serious toxicity problems.

Are you trying to repair or touch up the present finish, or do yo want to change it completely? If you want to change it you may be better off using one of the paint strippers available at the hardware/paint stores and starting new from the ground up.

[Davcruz]

Thanks for the great info. I am starting fresh.