what kind of paint should I use?...

[DarthBeardus]

Hello fellow saber enthusiasts.

I've been wanting to customize my bellicose for a while and I know there is little I can do besides a leather grip (which I don't really like tbh) and a pommel change. So I was thinking a dark shock pommel since I find the stock bellicose pommel gets in the way when dueling. I was thinking of doing a dark/fallen imperial knight style saber. So my question is, what paint should I use for painting the emitter or part of the hilt? Just normal spray paint? Or is there some kind of hobby paint I should use?

Thanks in advance, DarthBeardus.

[Xaeyon]

Doing a google search for painting on metal give back the following advice:

1 - always always always use a (metal specific) primer (it doesn't hurt to give it several coats before the actual job)
2 - (before 1) use a fine sandpaper to get rid of grit and rough up the surface to bond with the paint better
3 - use acrylic paint (again several coats) that are suggested for metal use

but a bunch of people here have actually done paint jobs so if they say anything different, don't listen to me

[Do-Clo]

Automotive engine paint holds up really well just visit your local auto parts store

[booyaalex]

There was also a guy on here who painted with Rustoleum spray paint, and it looked really good. He didn't mention any priming, but he did say he had about 5 coats of paint.

[Jedi_Dragonrider]

Prep is EVERYTHING!!! If you spend extra time preparing the metal the end result will be amazing. Steel wool works great, 00 or finer will actually polish the metal. Like Xaeyon said, use a metal specific primer, and paint like normal after that. Its not hard at all, and the extra effort really pays off. 

Also, spray paint will work fine. be sure to tape off EVERY surface you don't want paint to be. including the top of the emitter and sound holes, spray paint gets everywhere. spray paint won't be as durable and if you don't prep well it will flake off, but it make for a nice finish if done right.

[Do-Clo]

if the metal surface is too smooth or polished the paint will not stick well you need to mask off the area you want to paint and lightly sand it with 800 grit sand paper so that your paint will grip better.

[Kyaryo Ysoyav]

I've sprayed two sabers so far.  Roughing up the metal seems to help.  Just use light coats.  You can always add another layer, but it's not too easy to get rid of a  runny mess.  I know there was a saber-specific painting tutorial that covered how to bake paint on as well.  It's another another sight, though.  PM me if you'd like a link.

[Darth Cephalus]

Anyone here ever work with a detailed stencil and an anodized saber hilt? If I rough it up, I ruin the finish on the saber. If I don't the paint (I was using Rustolium primerless) does not stick and comes off with the stencil. Any ideas on a better paint or a prep that can work without sanding off the finish?

[Darth Kitsune]

You'd have to sand it. Sanding preps the surface so the paint will stick to it. It's an unfortunate requirement in order to have good, clean paint layers that stay on the surface of what you are applying the paint to.