Go Paint Something!

Question:

Hi Mike,

I am looking to do a mural on the side of an enclosed utility trailer. It’s already painted white. Not sure if it’s metal or fiberglass.

I am looking for a recommendation of what kind of paint you sell that would work best, and how to best prepare the surface? We’d like the mural to last, but as a small non-profit, we’re also looking for an affordable option.

Thanks,
Rosemary Jones
“life is a workshop”

Answer:

Rosemary,

Thanks so much for writing. Hmmm…”It’s already painted white.” Do you mean that the metal or fiberglas is inherently white, or that the surface has already actually been painted?

Regardless, here’s what I would do. I would make sure that the surface was clean and solid, then paint the trailer with a good oil-based primer, maybe Xim or Kilz. I would paint the mural with regular oil-based house paint. It would be very cost effective, and should hold quite well. In fact, you could probably go to your local paint store and buy some of their “mistake” paint. Usually something like $5 a gallon.

To get the colors you want, you have a couple of options: buy enough primary and secondary colors to mix what you need, or, preferably, get a set of Mixol colorants. That way, you would only have to mix what you need, and tint it to the color that you need, rather than mix paint together to get the right color. It’s such a waste! And make sure you have some decent brushes. That will make all the difference in the world.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

Now…Go Paint Something!

Michael Cooper

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