Gray machine paint - recommendations please

[slow-poke]

I'm looking for gray paint for a machine:
+ Something durable
+ Rattle can or brush on
+ I have brushed on POR15 in the past and had really nice finish and very durable. Not so sure about the fumes/safety
+ Needs to be something both accessible and not crazy expensive
+ A buddy of mine tried Rust-oleum (grey metal flake from H.D.) looks fantastic but he said hot chips embed themselves into his nice paint job so he warned me to stay away from that.

Suggestions please.

 

[David]

I have used Rust Stop from Ace (Home Hardware?) Medium Grey.
Quite like it, goes on well even without primer, can be sprayed with the right gear but brushes on well too.

 

[Mcgyver]

why not POR15 again? Don't think you can beat it for a tough finish ..... unless you go with the stuff that'll kill you (Imron et al)

 

[LenVW]

I can’t complain about Tremclad.
Durable, coverage, all in one formula.

 

[YotaBota]

I used DULUX Metalclad for my backsplash and belt grinder. Brushed on well and they colour match to my SM lathe. Can't speak to oil resistance as I try to keep it wiped clean. The bumpers on my truck were brushed on with Home Hardware brand rust paint, been a year and it's holding up well.

 

[Martin w]

I use Corrostop quite a bit. It brushes on and flows out nice. One coat.

SICO CORROSTOP Anti-Rust Enamel

www.sico.ca

 

[Elektrishun]

I have used a few different paints on metal with Tremclad being the most common.

As you likely already know the finish will only be as good as the prep regardless the the quality of the paint. For some projects I have spent many more hours sanding, brushing, cleaning, and priming than painting.

 

[Tomc938]

I used the Home Hardware brand of metal rust paint on the King 1440 paint job I just did. Paints on well, and what I really liked was it can be tinted to match any colour you can supply them with a sample of. The electrical box on the lathe was still in pretty good shape, and the paint matches close enough I just left it with the original paint and I can't tell the difference.

 

[Elektrishun]

Just for the heck of it I did a little looking and found this specialty paint which makes an interesting claim that I never thought about:

Weiss Speciality Light Grey Paint

Weiss Specialty Light Grey Paint for Lathe WBL and VM Milling SFI-Pint 16oz​

Key Features of Weiss Specialty Paint​

1. Durability: Weiss Specialty Paint is generally known for its high durability, making it ideal for machine tools that endure heavy usage.
2. Adhesion to Metal Surfaces: This paint often has enhanced adhesion properties for metals, making it particularly suitable for equipment like lathes and milling machines.
3. Finish Options: It’s available in a variety of finishes, which can vary in terms of gloss and smoothness. The SFI-pint variant might offer a specific gloss level or durability enhancement tailored for specific machining environments.
4. Protection Against Corrosion: Typically, these paints are formulated to prevent corrosion and withstand coolants and oils used in machining processes.
5. Application Process: Most Weiss paints for industrial use are easy to apply and may be self-leveling, which is helpful for smooth surfaces on machine tools.