[Premium-Rx] Spray paints

[Geoff Fors]

Here in California, I have had custom mixed spray paints put into aerosol
cans for $ 12 apiece at an automotive parts store, in single-can quantities.
I brought in a sample and they matched it perfectly.  If you are in a big
enough city it wouldn't hurt to ask around.

You can also get custom matched paint at an auto supply store, in quart or
gallon cans, but then you have to use an air brush or a spray gun (which
works better anyway) and mess around with reducer mixtures and hardeners.
The economies of scale always work against the home hobbyist, unfortunately.

Most decent spray paints, such as those containing lead (silvers, olive
drabs, etc.) are illegal to sell in most counties in California, as is the
use of anything but HVLP paint sprayers.  Additionally, about the only
industrial paints you can find here are water based because lacquers and
some enamels are illegal to sell or use.  I have bought them from other
states by mail order but in most cases I had to supply my business license
number or a state haz-mat permit.  All quite discouraging.

Finally, yes, why did Racal have to make things deeper than most rack
enclosures and cabinets!  I found a wonderful, attractive desktop cabinet
that fit my 6217 perfectly, except that the back end stuck out about 6
inches past the cabinet!

Geoff Fors