Let me start by saying that I am an amateur in a lot of ways but have found several products I've liked or disliked over the years. I was not born into a gear head family (I think I was adopted) so I've had to teach myself anything I've learned.
What coatings do you like or [dislike from experience] to use on your work pieces? What cleaners, solvents, paints, stains, glues, silicons, chemicals do you use most often? Which ones do you buy at the store, and don't regret plopping down the $8 bucks or so, just because they work really well?
I'll start:
For frame/bumper/hardmount things I've used: * Silver Sharpie - easy to see on steel and painted workpieces, for marking measurements, notes, and cuts.
* Walmarts no-brand .97 black glossy spray paint - Used based on the recommendation from a friend. Would not use again.
* Rustoleum - Hammered Black - I used that a lot on my last jeep and really liked the finish. Typical spray can finish though, not too strong.
* Rustoleum - Matte black - I like to use this for frame pieces now, because it blends perfectly with the oem coating on the frame.
* Rustoleum - Truck Undercoating Spray - Just used this for the first time. So far i like the finish. I was skeptical about it before hand.
It performed far better than the last time I tried to use rattle can undercoating. I could see using this on bumpers, cages, etc. I am not 100% sure about using it for the interior, but I am anxious to see how it holds up.
* Duplicolor - They have some undercoating products but i've not used them. Have you?
* Herculiner - I bought their roll-on kit about 4 years ago, and coated the grill of the '97 TJ i used to drive. I was impressed with the results, given the low cost, but it is difficult to get an even coat. You must thoroughly clean and scuff the area to be coated, and never apply it to a vertical surface, because it will slide off before it dries.
* Linex - Had this put on the floor of the Waggy. Tough stuff but danged expensive. What are the best DIY alternatives? I do not know.
Body Touch-Up: * Duplicolor - Chrysler Silver - Body touch up kit - Wow, these things have improved a lot since the late '80s, the last time I checked them out. Blends much easier i think. Wally world has them. This is also an excellent way to permanently mark on a dark surface I've found, where sharpies and paint markers did not suffice.
Oddball things: * Rustoleum - Camo - O.D. Green - Ultra Matte - I love this color. You never really get the military completely out of your system. I use this anywhere I want. I even refinished my home mail box in it and really liked the results. Easy to apply even coats. Reasonably priced at wally world, and comes with the better spray nozzles.
* WD-40 - Removes white marker paint from the side of Tony's F-250. I am a believer now. I really like the new smart straw nozzle too. That was a good idea.
* Brake Cleaner - duh.
* Zymol - Used to be ultra high end car wax (1980's) marketed for Porsches, Ferrari's, Lamborghinis, Mercedes, you get the picture. Now a version of it is available in stores and it is a good wax for a high end finish. I am sure there are better ones out there. I haven't waxed my junk in 100 years.
Wood: * Gel Stains - I've heard about them for years, and tried to get into them, but have reverted to solvent or water based stains. I then like to seal the wood with a lacquer based coating to give it some shine and protection.
* Oils - I've tried linseed oil on a hardwood gunstock and had decent results.
* What have you used? Anyone ever used Shellac? I am interested in trying that on a project.
* Minwax Ebony Stain - Water Based - applied to knotty pine. Looks really cool.
<message edited by Creepy on Friday, January 15, 2010 8:58 AM>