ALLSPRAYPAINTED MAGAZINE #03

HOW IT WAS DONE
For us, fate would have it that we found a bar cart. However, you may find any other metal
object that has heaps of potential and is cool looking in its basic form. If you can find
a bar cart as well, then good on you. The following steps will be the same regardless of
your object. Start by making sure all rust is removed. If you can take anything apart to
clean the pieces individually, do it. This will take a little time in the beginning but actually
save you time in the cleaning process and give you a better result. Any rust left on the
metal will result in it returning at a later point, even if years later. Once you’ve cleaned
with vinegar or metal cleaning polish, take your fine steel wool, and rub all metal parts
down again. By now your cart probably looks a lot better. Ensure it is dry, free of dust
and oils and you are ready to get creative.
In your normal can preparation process, shake each can well for 2-3 minutes so
that you can hear the mixing balls moving freely. With gloves and mask on, turn your
cans upside down and take off the nozzle allowing the black safety ring to fall out before
re-applying the nozzle. Give each can a quick test spray pointing away from anything.
Your first can will be the Montana Metal PRIMER. Remove the wheels of your cart
or cover them if you can’t remove them and don’t want them colored.
Apply your primer 20-30 cm away from your cart and move in sweeping strokes
from left to right as you spray. This will prevent too much paint applying and drips from
forming. Once dry, take your Montana GOLD can (we used Yellow Cab), and repeat this
process for 2 or more, thin, even coats. Allow drying thoroughly for 24 or more hours to
cure. We chose to apply a Montana VARNISH to seal the surface and protect it further
from scratching or marking. You can decide which finish to use (Gloss, Semi-Gloss or
Matte), as long as the paint has dried before you applied it. Your basis is done and already
your cart has a cool new look, you just got closer to finishing your Bar Cart Makeover.
Unfortunately, our cart didn’t have any bottom trays. Most likely they used to be
glass and had been broken. Our solution for this was acrylic (or plastic) circular pieces
in the color of our choice (pink), that were cut to measure. Should this not be an option,
you could either go to a glass cutter for glass trays or cut wooden trays to size. Wooden
trays could be left raw or use the same process as for coloring your cart, except
exchange the Metal PRIMER for a Montana Universal PRIMER. Sand your wood with fine
sandpaper to prepare it. Ensure the circles are clean and free of dust before priming
and spraying. You’re almost there.
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