The Ultimate Graffiti Buyers' Guide
by Adam de Angeli
This is pretty much everything I could tell you about graffiti products. Since I run a graffiti shop, I hear tons of feedback about the different paint brands and the different caps, and I've compiled all of their opinions, as well as my conclusions based upon them, and the results of various tests.
Not only that, I found that as I wrote it, I wanted to tell people as much as I could. It's almost like a textbook of graffiti now.
I make no claim that anything is 100% accurate. These are just my honest observations. Email me if you would like to offer suggestions for improvement. I want this to lead to further understanding of graffiti and hope to publish newer additions. The more information you give me, the better.
This work, less the illustrations, is the intellectual property of the author. It may be freely reproduced, in whole or in part, if and only if full credit is given to www.a2planet.com and this legal notice is included.
DTC burner
| Contents |
|
|---|---|
| Introduction: Graffiti culture in transition Part 1: The Tools of Graffiti 1.1 Protection 1.2 Spray Paint 1.2.1 Terminology 1.2.2 Properties of Spray Paint 1.2.2.1 Can sizes 1.2.2.2 Chromes and Fluorescents 1.2.3 Brands of Spray Paint 1.2.3.1 Morality Paint properties Generic Paint v. Name-brand Paint Krylon vs. Rustoleum The Two Montanas Montana vs. Molotow The True Colors of Molotow The best and worst colors Conclusions |
Caps A warning before proceeding Detailed descriptions of various caps Valve systems Cap compatibility Caps that are completely incompatible with certain brands Caps that don't work well with certain brands The most popular caps Markers Marker properties Markers by brand Ink Graffiti Culture Part 2: The Techniques of Graffiti Graffiti and the Law: What everyone should know Afterword: The Educated Graffiti Artist |
Introduction: Graffiti culture in transition
It's popularly believed that graffiti
originated in New York, also it's popularly believed that it started in
L.A. or Europe. Nonsense. Graffiti originated
with civilization iself. Perhaps it even pre-dated it!
After all, who were the first letter-writers? Probably whoever could find the pigments (the oldest pigments and inks were extracted naturally, from indigo plants, blueberries--anything that had a color stain) would be inclined to use them somehow. Before any written language developed, isn't it likely that some people invented a mark to put on their property and applied it? Isn't it likely that some of the same people also left their marks wherever they could, such as, on others' property?
Human history is remarkably connected to technology. I bet there is no historical event of any significance where technology was not a factor. The technology to mark a surface must have pre-dated the development of written language, because written language cannot exist without ink or similar marking devices.
Which means, graffiti is probably the oldest form of written communication.
It's a little daunting to realize, but graffiti is an ancient art. Sure, only since spray paint has it really developed. Or has it?
Banksy once said, "Some people say that graffiti writers are only out for some pathetic kind of fame...but if that's true, it's just because graffiti writers are just like everyone else in this fucking country."
If you think about it, that little network logo in the bottom-right corner of your TV screen, the company logo on everything you wear, all of those logos are basically corporate tags.
You see their names everywhere: Bank of America, McDonalds, Dell, Ford. They get into your head.
But their tagging is paid for and stamped for approval by the corporate government. Yours can land you in jail. Even though yours is ten times more artistic than their moronic logos and slogans.
Doesn't seem fair, does it?
Graffiti has always been despised by rulers; adored by rebels.
To some, "graffiti" is a dirty word associated with gang violence and wanton destruction of property. To others it is a new and unbound form of artwork. To others still, it is a weapon of information warfare, a means for the underground to force the public to recognize its existance. In varying ways, graffiti is all this and more.
While graffiti has been around since ancient history, it has only been since the advent of the spraycan that graffiti culture has begun to really develop.
What we have today comes from three general places: protest movements, hip hop movements, and of course, the ancient practice of scribbling your name, initials, or moniker on someone else's property. The detailed history of graffiti is too rich for me to review here, but I'd like to say a few words about where the culture is going.
Today, graffiti culture seems to be undergoing a transition from underground to mainstream in the U.S. While the mainstream once did all it could to exclude graffiti from the growing mainstream hip hop culture (few people in America these days even know what the "four sacred elements of hip hop" are), today it is breaking through at last.
I'm not sure what caused this, but I can name three factors that probably had a lot to do with it. The first is that many rappers seem to have noticed that the mainstream was neglecting graffiti and started speaking out about the disappearing history of hip hop. The second is that the satanic babykillers in the U.S. government and the Corporate Mafia that put them into power have provoked an enormous backlash in response to their crimes, resulting in more graffiti. The third is that Mark Ecko, a very popular fashion designer, took it upon himself to launch a video game about graffiti, "Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure," which was a big hit with the kids. Apart from that, I think that just because pop culture has been trying to get "edgier" these days, it's been more supportive of graffiti--not as an art, but as a condition of violence.
But with popularity comes responsibility. Every art form today is at war with the mainstream, whether fake-thug-shit-rap versus real hip hop, fake-Hollywood-garbage versus real filmmaking, etc. Will the mainstream capture the art of graffiti and turn it into a sanitized, commercial product? Or will the art form resist?
For some reason, people seem more open-minded to graffiti art than before. I have seen parents come with their kids to shop for graffiti supplies, and seen schools, libraries, and art groups sponsoring graffiti events. This may be a good thing, but the new generation of graffiti writers need to understand where the culture came from, what is represents, and what it strives for.
In my mind, graffiti is an anarchist movement: we don't need somebody else to buy our art, we don't need somebody to "authorize" our art. The artists doesn't depend on anybody to say where the art does or doesn't belong. It's truly a D.I.Y. movement.
Public opinion of graffiti runs with public opinion of direction action. Today seems like a turning point, where graffiti art can either prove itself or continue to be stigmatized.
The solution, of course, is simply for artists and admirers to do everything possible to help people create better art. That is the purpose of this document, and, to that end, I hope you find it useful.
After all, who were the first letter-writers? Probably whoever could find the pigments (the oldest pigments and inks were extracted naturally, from indigo plants, blueberries--anything that had a color stain) would be inclined to use them somehow. Before any written language developed, isn't it likely that some people invented a mark to put on their property and applied it? Isn't it likely that some of the same people also left their marks wherever they could, such as, on others' property?
Human history is remarkably connected to technology. I bet there is no historical event of any significance where technology was not a factor. The technology to mark a surface must have pre-dated the development of written language, because written language cannot exist without ink or similar marking devices.
Which means, graffiti is probably the oldest form of written communication.
It's a little daunting to realize, but graffiti is an ancient art. Sure, only since spray paint has it really developed. Or has it?
Banksy once said, "Some people say that graffiti writers are only out for some pathetic kind of fame...but if that's true, it's just because graffiti writers are just like everyone else in this fucking country."
If you think about it, that little network logo in the bottom-right corner of your TV screen, the company logo on everything you wear, all of those logos are basically corporate tags.
You see their names everywhere: Bank of America, McDonalds, Dell, Ford. They get into your head.
But their tagging is paid for and stamped for approval by the corporate government. Yours can land you in jail. Even though yours is ten times more artistic than their moronic logos and slogans.
Doesn't seem fair, does it?
Graffiti has always been despised by rulers; adored by rebels.
To some, "graffiti" is a dirty word associated with gang violence and wanton destruction of property. To others it is a new and unbound form of artwork. To others still, it is a weapon of information warfare, a means for the underground to force the public to recognize its existance. In varying ways, graffiti is all this and more.
While graffiti has been around since ancient history, it has only been since the advent of the spraycan that graffiti culture has begun to really develop.
What we have today comes from three general places: protest movements, hip hop movements, and of course, the ancient practice of scribbling your name, initials, or moniker on someone else's property. The detailed history of graffiti is too rich for me to review here, but I'd like to say a few words about where the culture is going.
Today, graffiti culture seems to be undergoing a transition from underground to mainstream in the U.S. While the mainstream once did all it could to exclude graffiti from the growing mainstream hip hop culture (few people in America these days even know what the "four sacred elements of hip hop" are), today it is breaking through at last.
I'm not sure what caused this, but I can name three factors that probably had a lot to do with it. The first is that many rappers seem to have noticed that the mainstream was neglecting graffiti and started speaking out about the disappearing history of hip hop. The second is that the satanic babykillers in the U.S. government and the Corporate Mafia that put them into power have provoked an enormous backlash in response to their crimes, resulting in more graffiti. The third is that Mark Ecko, a very popular fashion designer, took it upon himself to launch a video game about graffiti, "Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure," which was a big hit with the kids. Apart from that, I think that just because pop culture has been trying to get "edgier" these days, it's been more supportive of graffiti--not as an art, but as a condition of violence.
But with popularity comes responsibility. Every art form today is at war with the mainstream, whether fake-thug-shit-rap versus real hip hop, fake-Hollywood-garbage versus real filmmaking, etc. Will the mainstream capture the art of graffiti and turn it into a sanitized, commercial product? Or will the art form resist?
For some reason, people seem more open-minded to graffiti art than before. I have seen parents come with their kids to shop for graffiti supplies, and seen schools, libraries, and art groups sponsoring graffiti events. This may be a good thing, but the new generation of graffiti writers need to understand where the culture came from, what is represents, and what it strives for.
In my mind, graffiti is an anarchist movement: we don't need somebody else to buy our art, we don't need somebody to "authorize" our art. The artists doesn't depend on anybody to say where the art does or doesn't belong. It's truly a D.I.Y. movement.
Public opinion of graffiti runs with public opinion of direction action. Today seems like a turning point, where graffiti art can either prove itself or continue to be stigmatized.
The solution, of course, is simply for artists and admirers to do everything possible to help people create better art. That is the purpose of this document, and, to that end, I hope you find it useful.
Apex?
|
PART 1
The Tools of Graffiti In this part, we will cover spray paint, caps, regular paint, protection, and other supplies the artist might use. |
1.1 Protection
Spray paint is toxic, and spray
painting is often illegal. For long-term success, minding one's
health and safety is critical.
Respirator: Yes, you need one. Laugh all you want about how nice spray paint smells, and about getting high on the fumes. But in the long term, spray paint fumes are quite toxic. Wear a respirator. It's a critical investment in your future health. And besides, it concelas your facial features should you have a fugitive situation.
Gloves: Often overlooked! But wizened old graff writers insist, they got health problems on their hands from not wearing gloves. Paint is toxic. Wear gloves! Fingerprints are a major risk: wear gloves!
Clothes: Police can be nasty to people who look like they're spray painters. Don't wear your writing clothes to school! In fact, if you're in any school, keep your painting practice to a low at all times.
Vehicle: Bicycle!
Magnets: The amazing can
silencer! Major hardware stores sell these circular magnets than
can fit right on the bottom of the can and keep the ball-bearings
("peas") from rolling around and making noise. Good for avoiding
dirty looks.
BONUS TIP: Get a bunch of these magnets,and some heavy cord, and fashion a sort of "cat o' nine tails" with magnets on the end of the cords, so you can hold one handle and tow 9+ silent cans. Handy! Plus it turns your palette into a weapon of self-defense!
Intercom: Helpful!
Climbing Gear: Reach new heights!
Respirator: Yes, you need one. Laugh all you want about how nice spray paint smells, and about getting high on the fumes. But in the long term, spray paint fumes are quite toxic. Wear a respirator. It's a critical investment in your future health. And besides, it concelas your facial features should you have a fugitive situation.
Gloves: Often overlooked! But wizened old graff writers insist, they got health problems on their hands from not wearing gloves. Paint is toxic. Wear gloves! Fingerprints are a major risk: wear gloves!
Clothes: Police can be nasty to people who look like they're spray painters. Don't wear your writing clothes to school! In fact, if you're in any school, keep your painting practice to a low at all times.
Vehicle: Bicycle!
Magnets: The amazing can
silencer! Major hardware stores sell these circular magnets than
can fit right on the bottom of the can and keep the ball-bearings
("peas") from rolling around and making noise. Good for avoiding
dirty looks.BONUS TIP: Get a bunch of these magnets,and some heavy cord, and fashion a sort of "cat o' nine tails" with magnets on the end of the cords, so you can hold one handle and tow 9+ silent cans. Handy! Plus it turns your palette into a weapon of self-defense!
Intercom: Helpful!
Climbing Gear: Reach new heights!
1.2 Spray Paint
Graffiti
would be nothing without the spraycan. To spray with skill you
have to know your cans. There are many brand choices (subject to
availability, of course), and every brand performs differently.
It's best to know as much as you can about the paint you are using
before you begin painting with it. This way you will know what to
expect.
There are certain characteristics of various paint brands that you should be aware of. Within the brands, there are certain products lines and certain colors that are better than others. Here I hope to give you the best information about that possible. But first, some definitions.
There are certain characteristics of various paint brands that you should be aware of. Within the brands, there are certain products lines and certain colors that are better than others. Here I hope to give you the best information about that possible. But first, some definitions.
1.2.1 Terminology
Can:
duh.
Cap: For clarity, the "cap" refers to the piece that you push down on and the paint comes out of, not the big plastic cylinder that encases the top of the can on the shelf. We call that the "top."
Top: The plastic shell protecting the cap from being accidentally pressed.
Tip: A cap.
Nozzle: This term is ambiguous; don't use it.
Ring: Spanish Montana and Belton Molotow have rings that indicate the color of the paint, designed to stay attached with the top removed (see illustration at right for the Belton example). Generally Spanish Montana (MTN)'s rings are less likely to be lost.
Valve: The valve is the hatch that opens when you push down on the cap. There are different valve systems with properties discussed below.
Propellant: Propellant is compressed gas in the can that makes it spray. More propellant means heavier spray.
Base: The base is the liquid that carries the paint's pigment and attaches it to the surface. A base can be water, oil, latex, alcohol, or other things. Spray paint is usually oil or latex based. Markers are often oil or alcohol based. Water-based paint is good for the environment but not good for resisting drips.
Pigment: Pigment is the ingredient that gives paint its color. It is an insoluble powder, as opposed to dyes, which are soluble liquids.
Pea: The industry term for the ball(s) inside the can that mix the paint when you shake the can. Various brands have one, two, or three in each can.
Hue: The "color" of the color (red, blue, etc)
Saturation: The "boldness" or "value" of the color, from pure color to grey.
Lightness (or brightness or intensity): The color's position on a scale from pure light to pure dark. On a modern computer monitor or color printer, its is thought that every visible color can be defined by its hue, saturation, and lightness.
Thickness: This is a general term for how "thick" the paint seems to be. It varies by the density and cohesion of the base as well as the amount of pigment in the paint. Paints that are too thin will cover poorly and tend to drip.
Opacity: Similar to thickness, opacity is the opposite of transparency. An opaque line leaves no indication what color is underneath it, while a line with poor opacity will be tinted by the color below it. A more opaque paint can be less thick and get the same result as a less opaque paint.
Cap: For clarity, the "cap" refers to the piece that you push down on and the paint comes out of, not the big plastic cylinder that encases the top of the can on the shelf. We call that the "top."
Top: The plastic shell protecting the cap from being accidentally pressed.
Tip: A cap.
Nozzle: This term is ambiguous; don't use it.
Ring: Spanish Montana and Belton Molotow have rings that indicate the color of the paint, designed to stay attached with the top removed (see illustration at right for the Belton example). Generally Spanish Montana (MTN)'s rings are less likely to be lost.
Valve: The valve is the hatch that opens when you push down on the cap. There are different valve systems with properties discussed below.
Propellant: Propellant is compressed gas in the can that makes it spray. More propellant means heavier spray.
Base: The base is the liquid that carries the paint's pigment and attaches it to the surface. A base can be water, oil, latex, alcohol, or other things. Spray paint is usually oil or latex based. Markers are often oil or alcohol based. Water-based paint is good for the environment but not good for resisting drips.
Pigment: Pigment is the ingredient that gives paint its color. It is an insoluble powder, as opposed to dyes, which are soluble liquids.
Pea: The industry term for the ball(s) inside the can that mix the paint when you shake the can. Various brands have one, two, or three in each can.
Hue: The "color" of the color (red, blue, etc)
Saturation: The "boldness" or "value" of the color, from pure color to grey.
Lightness (or brightness or intensity): The color's position on a scale from pure light to pure dark. On a modern computer monitor or color printer, its is thought that every visible color can be defined by its hue, saturation, and lightness.
Thickness: This is a general term for how "thick" the paint seems to be. It varies by the density and cohesion of the base as well as the amount of pigment in the paint. Paints that are too thin will cover poorly and tend to drip.
Opacity: Similar to thickness, opacity is the opposite of transparency. An opaque line leaves no indication what color is underneath it, while a line with poor opacity will be tinted by the color below it. A more opaque paint can be less thick and get the same result as a less opaque paint.
1.2.2 Properties of Spray Paint
Coverage
Some
paints completely replace any
color beneath them with their
color. Other can let the undercoat show through. "Coverage"
means how much area can be covered by a given amount of paint; which
correlates to how opaque the paint is, among other things.
Coverage is important because a $3.99 can of Krylon is no better value than a $6.99 can of Molotow, if the Molotow can give you twice as much coverage.
Within all brands, certain colors cover better than others; see below for details.
Coverage is important because a $3.99 can of Krylon is no better value than a $6.99 can of Molotow, if the Molotow can give you twice as much coverage.
Within all brands, certain colors cover better than others; see below for details.
Valve System: Fixed-pressure vs. variable-pressure
There
are two
valve types; fixed-pressure and variable-pressure. With
fixed-pressure
valves (often called "high-pressure valves"), the can is either
spraying or it is not; with variable pressure valves (often called
"low-pressure valves"), the can may spray lightly or heavily depending
on how hard you press down on the cap.
The technique for using fixed-pressure versus variable-pressure cans is a bit different; if you're used to one type of valve and try the other, take some time to get the feel of the other system.
The technique for using fixed-pressure versus variable-pressure cans is a bit different; if you're used to one type of valve and try the other, take some time to get the feel of the other system.
The difference between high/low versus fixed/variable pressure
Many
companies garble the
difference between these two classification of pressure systems.
Variable/fixed pressure distinguishes between having and not having
control of the can pressure as described above. High/low pressure
simply describes how much paint will be coming out.
Pressure is determined by a few factors, including:
-The amount of propellant in the can;
-The amount of space for propellant in the can, left over from the space taken up by the paint; and
-The density (thickness) of the paint in the can; among other more technical ones.
This sounds confusing but it basically comes down to this:
If your can has too much pressure, you can reduce it by turning the can upside-down and spraying out the excess pressure.
If your can has too little pressure, enjoy it while it lasts, or shake the can until the pressure's back up.
High/low pressure varies from one product line to the next; for example, Rustoleum paint is more pressurized than Belton paint.
Also, pressure varies by the size of the can. Larger cans are higher pressure than smaller cans.
Pressure is determined by a few factors, including:
-The amount of propellant in the can;
-The amount of space for propellant in the can, left over from the space taken up by the paint; and
-The density (thickness) of the paint in the can; among other more technical ones.
This sounds confusing but it basically comes down to this:
If your can has too much pressure, you can reduce it by turning the can upside-down and spraying out the excess pressure.
If your can has too little pressure, enjoy it while it lasts, or shake the can until the pressure's back up.
High/low pressure varies from one product line to the next; for example, Rustoleum paint is more pressurized than Belton paint.
Also, pressure varies by the size of the can. Larger cans are higher pressure than smaller cans.
Working temperature
Some
brands of paint simply do not work in extreme temperatures.
Montana MTN does not work below the freezing point, while Belton
Molotow does. Check your can, most state their temperature range.
Pigmentation
Some
brands use more pigment than
others, and some colors have more
pigment than others. Most pigments these days are synthetic, as
opposed to the olden days when indigo pigment was actually harvested
from indigo. Many colors are blends of different pigments, for
example, MTN's Solar
Orange is a yellow pigment mixed with an orange pigment. Paint
companies use different amounts of pigment, and the ones that use the
most generally have the brightest colors.
Different pigments, for lack of a better scientific understanding, "just sometimes work better than others" and you will find that some colors are just better than others. The only way to find out for yourself is to experiment. We will name some best and worst colors later.
Different pigments, for lack of a better scientific understanding, "just sometimes work better than others" and you will find that some colors are just better than others. The only way to find out for yourself is to experiment. We will name some best and worst colors later.
Color Selection
Naturally
the artist prefers having
the most possible choices of color.
Peas
We just
noticed this, but some
brands have one or more peas. Having more peas makes it quicker
and quieter to stir the paint around. Montana MTN Hardcore has
two peas, Molotow has three, while Rustoleum and Krylon only
have one.
1.2.2.1 Can Sizes: High-pressure vs. low-pressure
Spray
paint is available in a wide
variety of can sizes, all the way from 30ml (picture of a shot of
liquor) to 750ml (picture a fifth of liquor).
As can size increases, the unit price of the paint ($/volume) goes down, but the pressure goes up. With a tiny can, you will get less paint for your money; with a huge can, you will be unable to create detailed lines.
400 ml cans are most common size, and this is a good balance between value and can pressure.
With 600 ml cans, you get 50% more paint for only a dollar more. But, the pressure issue is a problem. In a 600 ml can, the spray will be very powerful for the first half of the can's life. Once the can is about half empty, the pressure eases up a bit. But since 600 ml cans generally only make wide spray, they're really only good for fill-ins. But most companies offer only black, metallics, and a few colors in the bigger sizes. Blacks and metallics are not popular fill colors, so your choices are limited.
With a little creativity one can find a good use for the large cans, but in smaller 400 ml cans are generally better.
Smaller cans have the opposite problem. You can do great work with 250 ml cans, but you get less paint out of them. The lower pressure means you will have more control over the spray (particularly with variable-pressure systems like Montana Alien Art Concept), and this yields a hidden benefit: with lower pressure cans, you can hold the can closer to the surface you're spraying, and thus lose less paint into the air.
Still, smaller cans are less paint for the money.
Conclusion: The 400 ml can is your workhorse, the 250 ml can is good for touches and effects, the 600 ml can is good for filling in large undetailed areas.
Paint companies determine how much propellant to put in the can by trying many amounts and choosing the one that is the best balance of desirable pressure, and balance of pressure. Balance of pressure is how even the pressure remains from a new can to a depleted one. As a can is used, the amount of propellant goes down as the space for it increases, so generally, a new can will spray more vigorously than an almost-exhausted one. There is a greater change in cans with less propellant than cans with lots of propellant, making higher pressure cans more desirable, but on the other hand, cans with too much pressure cannot do detailed work precisely.
So, companies try to make their cans with as much pressure as possible, without being too pressurized to use effectively.
It generally comes that larger cans have more pressure than smaller ones. Big cans are dynamite and small cans can do incredible detail work. 400ml is the most popular size because it seems to have the most popular balance of control and size value.
But remember, this is not the same as fixed-pressure and variable-pressure. F/V determines the user's amount of control over the flow of paint; H/L determines how much pressure is in the can. Please use these terms correctly even though the leading manufacturers of spray paint do not.
As can size increases, the unit price of the paint ($/volume) goes down, but the pressure goes up. With a tiny can, you will get less paint for your money; with a huge can, you will be unable to create detailed lines.
400 ml cans are most common size, and this is a good balance between value and can pressure.
With 600 ml cans, you get 50% more paint for only a dollar more. But, the pressure issue is a problem. In a 600 ml can, the spray will be very powerful for the first half of the can's life. Once the can is about half empty, the pressure eases up a bit. But since 600 ml cans generally only make wide spray, they're really only good for fill-ins. But most companies offer only black, metallics, and a few colors in the bigger sizes. Blacks and metallics are not popular fill colors, so your choices are limited.
With a little creativity one can find a good use for the large cans, but in smaller 400 ml cans are generally better.
Smaller cans have the opposite problem. You can do great work with 250 ml cans, but you get less paint out of them. The lower pressure means you will have more control over the spray (particularly with variable-pressure systems like Montana Alien Art Concept), and this yields a hidden benefit: with lower pressure cans, you can hold the can closer to the surface you're spraying, and thus lose less paint into the air.
Still, smaller cans are less paint for the money.
Conclusion: The 400 ml can is your workhorse, the 250 ml can is good for touches and effects, the 600 ml can is good for filling in large undetailed areas.
Paint companies determine how much propellant to put in the can by trying many amounts and choosing the one that is the best balance of desirable pressure, and balance of pressure. Balance of pressure is how even the pressure remains from a new can to a depleted one. As a can is used, the amount of propellant goes down as the space for it increases, so generally, a new can will spray more vigorously than an almost-exhausted one. There is a greater change in cans with less propellant than cans with lots of propellant, making higher pressure cans more desirable, but on the other hand, cans with too much pressure cannot do detailed work precisely.
So, companies try to make their cans with as much pressure as possible, without being too pressurized to use effectively.
It generally comes that larger cans have more pressure than smaller ones. Big cans are dynamite and small cans can do incredible detail work. 400ml is the most popular size because it seems to have the most popular balance of control and size value.
But remember, this is not the same as fixed-pressure and variable-pressure. F/V determines the user's amount of control over the flow of paint; H/L determines how much pressure is in the can. Please use these terms correctly even though the leading manufacturers of spray paint do not.
1.2.2.2 Metallics and Fluorescents
Metallics
and fluorescents look really cool in the catalogs. The
fluorescents appear staggeringly bright, and some metallic paints look
great for adding that "bling."
But when you actually use them, problems emerge.
With metallics, the problem is that they cannot be painted over until they are totally dry, and metallics take longer to dry. I don't know why, but if you try to paint over chrome colors with ordinary colors, the metallic color sort of "eats" the wet color. This makes metallic paints tricky to use when piecing.
It's a pity, but that's how it is, with every brand of paint.
With fluorescents, the problem is that they don't show up properly on anything except white. And even then, the coverage is terrible. This is true with all brands of fluorescent paint; it takes like three coats for it to show up well.
Also, metallic and fluorescent paints smell foul. Wear a mask!
Metallics and fluorescents may still be used for special projects, but for typical piecing, they do not work well.
But when you actually use them, problems emerge.
With metallics, the problem is that they cannot be painted over until they are totally dry, and metallics take longer to dry. I don't know why, but if you try to paint over chrome colors with ordinary colors, the metallic color sort of "eats" the wet color. This makes metallic paints tricky to use when piecing.
It's a pity, but that's how it is, with every brand of paint.
With fluorescents, the problem is that they don't show up properly on anything except white. And even then, the coverage is terrible. This is true with all brands of fluorescent paint; it takes like three coats for it to show up well.
Also, metallic and fluorescent paints smell foul. Wear a mask!
Metallics and fluorescents may still be used for special projects, but for typical piecing, they do not work well.
Still, you should try them out; you may find them useful.
1.2.3 Brands of Spray Paint
Two brands of spray paint that are
available in almost every
town in America are Rustoleum and Krylon. Additionally there are
many "off-brands" one might find at superstores like Home Depot or
Wal*Mart for fractional prices. Then, there are premium brands
available in select stores. The most popular of these are Montana
and Belton Molotow. Also, there are what are called "hobby
paints" or "craft paints" which include many brands.
Even many top graffiti artists have totally different opinions about each brand. Some artists prefer various brands for different reasons: I know one who likes Montana's colors but prefers Belton's black and white. You will have to decide for yourself what brand you prefer.
Here are some qualities to look for that may help you decide.
1.2.3.1 Morality
This should be important to every consumer. Some companies support graffiti culture, while others support its enemies. Some companies follow or even exceed strict health and safety regulations, while other companies are apparently trying to kill you.
Fortunately, it seems that the only toxic spray paint is the generic stuff; the brands listed in the table below are all clean. Yet they still have some serious concerns in other areas. Here is what we've found about the brands:
Even many top graffiti artists have totally different opinions about each brand. Some artists prefer various brands for different reasons: I know one who likes Montana's colors but prefers Belton's black and white. You will have to decide for yourself what brand you prefer.
Here are some qualities to look for that may help you decide.
1.2.3.1 Morality
This should be important to every consumer. Some companies support graffiti culture, while others support its enemies. Some companies follow or even exceed strict health and safety regulations, while other companies are apparently trying to kill you.
Fortunately, it seems that the only toxic spray paint is the generic stuff; the brands listed in the table below are all clean. Yet they still have some serious concerns in other areas. Here is what we've found about the brands:
| Rustoleum |
The National Council to Prevent Delinquency gave the paint maker the Partner in Prevention award, in recognition of Rust-Oleum's active role in the national Anti-Graffiti project. The project helps local governments and citizen groups prevent graffiti vandalism and restore defaced property. Rust-Oleum's contributions have included paint for neighborhood cleanups, money for retail theft prevention and volunteers for various anti-graffiti efforts. The company has also promoted the Council's Responsible Retailing program, designed to block theft and illegal purchasing of products such as spray paint. |
| Krylon |
From www.krylon.com: "Krylon® Products Group is more than just paint and projects. We care about you and your community. Along with Keep America Beautiful, Krylon Products Group has created a national program called Graffiti Hurts® designed to address the growing graffiti problem in urban areas and small towns." |
Montana
Spain (MTN): |
Montana Spain (MTN)
sponsors some graffiti artists and contains links to other graffiti
sites from theirs. The company states that it was founded by
graffiti writers Moockie and Kapi. It sponsors many graffiti
magazines in many countries. Montana's sincere dedication to the
art is evidenced by the quality of the product. "I heard Spanish Montana contains lead and other harmful chemicals, Is this true?" MTN: "No, this is an unfounded rumor started by our competitor. Our Paint has been sent to the US EPA and they have reported that it is less toxic than some of the well known American brands of paint. They have stated furthermore that Montana Colors (Spain) is well within the regulated legal standards for paint in the United States. Succesfull Chemical analysis's conducted in Europe can be viewed by Clicking Here." |
| Montana
Germany (Dupli) |
The German Montana
company committed the greatest crime in the world of graffiti, and on a
massive scale, by stealing the Spanish Montana company's name. That says a lot about the company in istelf, but moreover, when pressed an explanation, the company claimed that it did it "for the artists' sake" because the Spanish Montana company put toxic chemicals in its product. As it turns out, the opposite is true, and the German Montana company is now doing all it possibly can to avoid even mentioning the existance of the Spanish Montana company. The confusion between the two companies is, as you will see, a huge headache for everybody, and the company really shouldn't be forgiven for this. The German Montana company is owned and controlled by Motip Dupli, a.k.a. Dupli-color, a multinational corporation primarily in the automotive paint industry. They feature a slick youth-targeted corporate website, with lots of pro-graffiti tones that conceal the slimy corporate face behind it. In some instances, some shown in the "Write and Unite" DVD, Dupli-Montana seems to be deliberately confusing their brand with the Spanish company's. This is, in my view, totally opposed to the culture of graffiti. The brand is a total fraud, good paint or not. |
| Belton
Molotow |
The Belton company named
their product "Molotow," which is the German spelling for "Molotov"
like the cocktail, hence even their name is a reference to graffiti. Belton sponsors many artists and their paint was developed by artists. Several of their colors are named for the artists who helped develop them. The U.S. distributor of Belton sponsor many graffiti magazines in many countries. Belton's sincere dedication to the art is evidenced by the quality of the product. |
| Generic
/ Other Brands |
Read the label
carefully. Many off-brands do not meet the chemical safety
standards of the brands above. Some of them are covered in
warnings about toxic chemicals. If you use these brands, be sure
to wear
a mask and gloves. |
As you can see from the table, Spanish Montana (MTN) and Belton Molotow seem to be the only brands that have honesty, decency, and respect.
1.2.3.2 Product Quality / Performance
| Rustoleum |
Quality varies
considerably from one color and sub-brand to the next. The "stops
rust" black is exceptionally good and favored by artists
everywhere. Run-resistant and generally covers well, though some
colors do not. Works with almost every type of cap out there,
though some hi-pressure caps do not work well. Offers about 100
colors. |
| Krylon |
Again, quality is not
consistent with every color. Watermelon is one of their
best, Tomato and Stonewash Denim are among their worst, along with many
ugly
pastels. As quality is concerned, Krylon is not bad, though it is far from the best. Some colors cover poorly; on a white wall, this will not matter, but when covering previous lines, the color beneath may show through. This is important, because if you don't want undercoats showing through, you will have to go back over the line again (thus using double the paint and also possibly creating deviations from the original line.) One of the biggest concerns (especially for novices, but pros as well) is drippiness. Krylon is definitely less drippy than generic paint, but compared with premium paints discussed below it is definitely more drippy. You can make a can of Krylon much better by simply turning a new can upside-down and spraying propellent for about 10 seconds. (spray cans have a straw that runs from the nozzle to the bottom of the can, so by turning a can upside-down, you spray out the propellent without the paint, thus reducing the pressure in the can). This will give you much better control of the spray. Krylon offers many lines of paint, but their "All-purpose spray paint" line is by far the largest with 52 colors, and when people say Krylon, they are usually referring to this product line. |
| Spanish
Montana (MTN) |
Montana
has two primary lines of
paint: Hardcore, and Alien Art
Concept. Montana is great paint for several reasons. The most important is the colors. Montana colors are bright. They cover great and they stand out, more than any other brand in most cases. They also have 124 colors to choose from, more than Rustoleum or Krylon offer. Another important quality is drip resistance. Montana paint is highly drip-resistant. After getting used to Montana paint, using cheaper brands can be frustrating, because you will be accustomed to paint that sticks to the wall. Montana (and also Molotow, below) have a clever system for making it easier to identify your cans, too. Montana has a ring that fits the cap between the nozzle and the edge of the can indicating what color it is. If you've used Rustoleum or Krylon, you know how it can be tedious to figure out which can is which once the tops get mixed up. There are two lines of Montana, the Harcore line and the Alien Art Concept line. The difference between the two is that the Hardcore line comes in 400ml (standard size) cans with high-pressure valves, while the Alien line comes in 250ml variable-pressure valves. Variable-pressure means you can push down a little and get a light spray or push down hard and get a heavy spray. More about valves further down. The MTN Montana cans also have two balls in the can instead of one like Rusto and Krylon, making shaking/mixing faster and easier. The cans also include a sample color ring that stays on the can when the top is off, making it easy to identify which color the can is without the top. |
| German
Montana |
We have not used German
Montana's paint, but from what we've heard, it sounds a lot like Belton
Molotow. It is said by the company that it the cans work properly
in extreme temperatures from -38 to 48 degrees C (-36 to 118 F degrees
F). German Montana offers two major product lines, the "Black"
and "Gold" lines. The "Gold" line has a variable-pressure valve
like Belton Molotow and the "Black" line has a constant high-pressure
valve like
MTN Montana Hardcore. Due to the ethical concerns about this company described above and below, we probably will not care to experiment with it, since we wouldn't carry it even if it was good paint. But, with over 140 "Gold" colors and 75 "Black" colors, this company does have the others beat in color choices. |
| Belton
Molotow |
Belton
and Molotow are the same
paint; Belton is the company
name and Molotow is the name of the product line. But since
Molotow is the only line Belton offers in the U.S.A., it's basically
the same thing to us. Because it is a German company, it is actually pronounced "Molotov" like the cocktail you throw. In German, the "V" and the "W" are the same letter; it is written "W" and pronounced "V". This is why "wiener schnitzel" is pronounced "veener schnitzel." Since "Molotov" is consistent with the whole "bombing" metaphor, we say "Molotov." But anyway, about the paint. Like Montana, Molotow colors are bright, and highly drip-resistant. Molotow offers even more colors, now approaching 200 (at this writing, 20 new colors are under development). Molotow uses a variable-pressure system on all of their cans. This gives the artist more control over the spray than other brands (Montana Alien paint uses variable-pressure too, but not in 400ml cans). One important advantage of Molotow is that the paint works properly in extreme temperatures. When we were painting our store, it was wintertime and we had to keep the building ventilated because of the paint fumes, so it was very cold in the room. The Montana cans would freeze unless we kept them on the radiators. Molotow works in cold weather. This makes it essential for bombing in freezing weather. As colors go, Molotow is misleading: for reasons unknown, the color charts on the websites of the Belton company and U.S. distributor are inaccurate and unflattering. Many nice colors are shown to be greyish, whitish, or just plain ugly. Details about this below. But, the actual colors are very nice. Also, Molotow paint is reported to be more resistant to fading and chipping than the other brands named above. |
The graffiti artist, hard up for money and wanting a greater quantity of paint in as many colors as possible, may be inclined to purchase the cheapest paints available. But there are some things he/she should know about cheap paint.
* Drips and bad coverage cost time and paint.
Many "off-brand" paints are simply brand-name paints from batches that failed quality control tests. So the company slaps a different label on the can and sells it at a lower price. But dealing with drips uses up more paint, and going back over lines that didn't show up properly the first time can drain your cans. In the long run, this is not going to save you any money. And if you are doing a piece where time is a factor (like an illegal piece), making corrections that shouldn't be needed in the first place becomes a dangerous liability.
* Generic paint is not consistent.
Name-brand companies go to great lengths to make sure every can of paint is the same. Generic paint can vary widely, from watery to syrupy, from high-pressure to low-pressure, even from one color to an off-color.
A graffiti artist, like all artists, needs to have dependable tools. One need only survey the bad graffiti in any city to see why.
Krylon vs. Rustoleum
Krylon and Rusto are the two biggest brands of spray paint in the U.S. Which one is better? Depends who you ask.
Factors which support Rustoleum:
-longevity; Rusto doesn't fade or crack
-coverage; Rusto is more opaque
-pressure; Krylon is over-pressurized
Factors which support Krylon
-price; Krylon is cheaper
-pressure; Krylon is worse than Rusto but this is fixed by inverting the can and draining some propellant
Colors: Krylon and Rusto offer different colors. Buy whichever looks better, I guess.
The Two Montanas
There are two completely different companies calling themselves "Montana brand spray paint." One hails from Spain, the other, Germany. How are they different and why do they have the same name? We went over this a little before, but now for details.
Unfortunately, we cannot say how the two paints compare, because we've never seen or used the German company's paint. We have heard that the German Montana is similar to Belton Molotow paint. But we don't know.
As for why there are two spray paint companies named Montana, the Spanish company says:
[edited for spelling and grammar from the translation at www.mtncolors.com]:
| In
1993, two writers named Moockie
and Kapi both from Barcelona Spain decide to open a graffiti/hip-hop
shop. They contact a spray paint manufacturer known as "Felton" in
Spain for research and to negotiate prices. They discuss the potential
of the graffiti art market with the commercial manager at the spray can
factory Jordi Rubio who later becomes the owner of Montana Spain.
Jordi is fascinated with the idea but Felton is unconvinced of the
potential sales in a market for graffiti. Approximately one year later, around 1994, Jordi asks Kapi & Moockie to help build a brand for the graffiti market. Kapi & Moockie contribute their knowledge of graffiti needs and Jordi contributes his knowledge in the technical aspects of spray cans. In the spring of 1994 Kapi & Moockie organize an event called "Aerosol Art" and invite artists from all over Europe. At this event they introduce the first Montana cans and this is the first time graffiti artists use Montana paint. Shortly after Montana develops the "Hardcore" 400ml can, which we know today, and the "Alien" can in 2001. During the course of 1994, news spreads that there is a graffiti store in Barcelona that sells quality paint very cheap, and artists from all over Europe gather there and take cans back to their home countries in bulk. The artists themselves became the first exporters of Montana. By the end of 1995, these artists began to import Montana into their home countries on a regular basis, at first Italy, then Switzerland, and then France and the UK. In 1997, Montana grants the exclusive distribution rights for Germany to L&G. Problems begin soon after. By 1997 Montana has become well known and is exporting to other continents. Montana Spain began as and still is dedicated to the graffiti art culture and has remained a small company with about 50 employees involved with their manufacturing facility and distribution. Spanish Montana contends that all their products are made with devotion to quality in aerosol art culture. All Spanish Montana spray cans are hand-made at their own facility as they have been since the beginning. In 1996, a distribution company named L&G is founded by Ruediger Latz and Tim Latif (known to us now as German Montana). In 1997 L&G becomes the exclusive distributor of Spanish Montana for Germany. Shortly after L&G also gains the rights to distribute in several other countries in Europe. Meanwhile L&G conspires with Motip Dupli, a multi-national corporation and the largest maker of spray paint for automobiles in Europe (Known to Americans as Dupli-Color), to manufacture and label spray paint cans for L&G with Montana Spain's customers as the target audience. Mutip Dupli becomes aware of the potential in the graffiti market and makes an offer to buy Spanish Montana from Jordi. Montana Spain rejects the offer and soon after L&G and Dupli begin producing exact copies of the cans labeled as Montana Hardcore and start to distribute them throughout Montana Spain's established market. Mutip Dupli then starts a negative campaign of information and spreads several rumors about Spanish Montana including that the paint allegedly contains lead and other poisons. L&G contends that product ideas given to Montana Spain during there business relationship entitle L&G to an equal share of the brand name "Montana." L&G and Mutip Dupli initiate a process which results in inspectors coming to Spain to examine their products in hopes of reducing their productivity. In 2001 L&G and Mutip Dupli run a trademark search for the name "Montana" and they find a company named "Farbo S.A." located in Switzerland who has the name "Montana" already licensed throughout Europe. L&G and Mutip Dupli then offer to pay a royalty for using the name "Montana" from Farbo and succeed. L&G has now gained the ammunition they need to file lawsuits and attempt to take away the name & market that Montana Spain has created. Lawsuits are still pending in several courts throughout Europe. In 2002 L&G release the "Montana New Generation" can. In 2003 they release the Montana "GOLD" can and the Montana "Platinum" can in 2004. At the same time in 2004 Montana Spain begins to brand some of their cans as "MTNMTN" to try to relieve some confusion the customers are having between the two companies. The differences between the two Montanas remain unresolved. L&G reports to have about 20 employees involved in its distribution operation. German Montana also claims to have the same devotion to quality and aerosol art culture. L&G spray cans are made with automated machines at the Motip Dupli facility as they have been since the beginning. |
And now, here is a press release about the story, from the German Montana company, giving their side of the story:
|
We
as a distributor of Montana paint and Aerosol Art paint produced by
Motip Dupli AG, distributed by L&G in Germany would like to avoid
any misunderstandings about the ongoing business differences between
the producer of Montana paint from Spain and the producer of Montana
paint in Germany. As It is uncommon to present information to the
public when a case is still with several judges to decide about, we
decided not to make any comments to these matters until a final
decission was made public. However, as the Spanish producer and some of its distributors have decided to start a negative campaign out in public against the Montana brand from Germany, instead of waiting for the final court decission we decided to go against this in an orderly manner, based on facts, delivered by objective parties and institutions. The fact that the courts have their difficulty to look into this matter in full detail as this business disagreement is of a very complicated nature. This matter is going through serveral courts at the moment. Fact is that the company L&G already won cases against the spanish distributor in the Netherlands, France and other European countries. To be clear: Objective tests that are in our possession show that the metal "Lead" has been found in the paint of the Spanish producer. ( as these test results are in german we do not show them here but feel free to contact us if you would like to see them) This metal is extremely dangerous to men's health. This metal is used to make the paint cover real good, especially with the red, yellow and orange colors, which from nature do not cover too well. There are better and healthier substances on the market that work the same, but these are more expensive. Also the very dangerous substance "strontium" was found in the paint from the spanish producer. Due to this shocking discovery that was made public by the company L&G last year September, we decided to give more information about chemicals that are used to make paint. Toluene, xylene, petrol gases, strontium, arsenic and mercury are some of the chemicals, vapours and heavy metals contained in spray paint and in paint containing such substances their leves come well within official restrictions. Yet the noxious smell emitted from a fat cap shouts This is doing more harm than good!" Striking a cynical note, when were levels deemed safe by otficialdom a guarantee for comfort? On the back of a canister of Spanish Montana cans, the warning reads; "Harmful by inhalation contact with skin. Irritating to skin. Do not breathe spray. Avoid contact with eyes. If swallowed seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label."L&G Distribution in Germany produce the new safer Montana cans. Montana's original home is Spain and was originally made by Montana Colors S.L. The two companies are currently in dispute over trademark intringement with L&G (German Montana) already winning their cases in France, The Netherlands and Germany. When L&G (German Montana) had the old Spanish brand analysed their tests petitioned that Spanish Montana contained dangerous levels of lead. Rüdiger Glatz, managing director of L&G told Graphotism magazine: "Spraycans are detinitely not good for your health, but selling spraycans containing lead and strontium [see below for possible repercussions] as Spanish Montana Colors has is unacceptable." "We work very closely with our manufacturer MOTIP DUPLI, and are able to have a major influence on the ingredients. A company like MOTIP DUPLI, being the biggest manufacturer for spraycans in Europe, does not want to throw any old constituent Into their product and they are subject to German regulations, which are very strict and sensitive." Glad to hear it, but despite the protestations, proteotion from colouring that decorates transport, walls, boards and canvases cannot be emphasised. A qualitv mask, gloves and excellent ventilation is something your mind and body will thank you for. If you still don't believe, here are the effects of five products found in aerosol paint. [followed by a detailed description of harmful effects of lead, strontium, arsenic, Tuolene, Xylene.] |
So these are the two sides. Which one should you believe?
We side with the Spanish Montana company, for several reasons:
- German Montana admits
that they stole the Spanish company's trade name.
- German Montana's allegations that Spanish Montana's paint contains lead, arsenic etc. are not supported. To say "we have a document but it's in German" is an insult to inquiring minds. They give no indication as to how much lead was found in Spanish Montana's paint. By Spanish Montana's estimation, it's about 00.0015%, or 15 parts per million. That's nothing compared to how much lead was found in paint before it was banned decades ago, essentially nothing at all.
- German Montana is using "booga booga" scare tactics to discredit Spanish Montana. They trump up the dangers of Xylene. All spray paint contains Xylene.
- Listen carefully to what they say: "Toluene,
xylene, petrol
gases, strontium, arsenic and mercury are some of the chemicals,
vapours and heavy metals contained in spray paint and in paint
containing such substances their leves come well within official
restrictions. Yet the noxious smell emitted from a fat cap shouts 'This
is doing more harm than good!'" So essentially, they're admitting that Spanish Montana
(MTN) paint is well within official restrictions, then they say that
you should trust your nose, not the testing and regulations. MTN
paint actually has a nice aroma. That doesn't mean it is good for
you or bad for you. That's why you have tests.
Montana MTN Hardcore vs. Belton Molotow
Legal issues aside, let us return to the question of paint quality, particularly between the two best brands of spray paint, MTN Montana and Molotow.
Some artists like one and not the other, on both sides. You will have to try both to make up your mind.
There are some definite differences that may help you decide.
Differences favoring neither but according to your preference:
-Montana
colors are glossy (sort of
like shiny). Molotow
colors are matte (not shiny).
-Molotow cans are lower-pressure than Montana in general. Narrower, lighter lines. On one hand this means more control and better paint economy; on the other hand this means that big pieces can take longer.
-The two brands just feel different. Depending on what you're comfortable with, you may prefer either one. For example, these guys who were used to cheapie paint were using Molotow for an outline, and all the joints on the outlines were messed up because they weren't used to the variable-pressure system. You could get used to either kind of paint or both. But be aware that they are different.
-Molotow cans are lower-pressure than Montana in general. Narrower, lighter lines. On one hand this means more control and better paint economy; on the other hand this means that big pieces can take longer.
-The two brands just feel different. Depending on what you're comfortable with, you may prefer either one. For example, these guys who were used to cheapie paint were using Molotow for an outline, and all the joints on the outlines were messed up because they weren't used to the variable-pressure system. You could get used to either kind of paint or both. But be aware that they are different.
Differences favoring Montana:
Montana's colors seem to cover
better.
The color chart on Montana's website is fairly accurate; the one on Molotow's website is not.
Montana is typically a dollar cheaper per can.
The color chart on Montana's website is fairly accurate; the one on Molotow's website is not.
Montana is typically a dollar cheaper per can.
Differences favoring Molotow:
Molotow has a variable-pressure
system that the Montana
Hardcore cans do not.
Molotow works in extreme temperatures.
Molotow cans need to be shaken less frequently than Montana cans.
Molotow paint doesn't clog caps as often as Montana
Molotow works in extreme temperatures.
Molotow cans need to be shaken less frequently than Montana cans.
Molotow paint doesn't clog caps as often as Montana
The True Colors of Molotow
We do not know why, but the color charts for Molotow spray paint are grossly inaccurate. Not only that, but they are un-flattering: they make good colors look bad, they make bold colors look pale, they make saturated colors look grey, they make popping colors look dull.
In one case, the color "traffic red" appeared as a light, greyish red, while "signal red" looked a little lighter (on the distro's website) and a little darker (on Belton's website). Yet, in reality, "traffic red" is a bright red with an orange tint, while "signal red" is a pure, slightly dark red.
In another case, "signal white" is shown at artprimo.com to be greyer than "pure white." In reality "signal white" is whiter than "pure white."
In this chart here, we show cans of Molotow in three colors. The color on the butt of the can is the color shown on artprimo.com, the U.S. distributor. The inset color is the color shown on Belton's web site, shopbelton.com. And the color on the top of each can is what we've determined it actually is, as best we can.
MTN - Krylon/Rustoleum Color-matches
I found this on a cache of an MTN page. The colors are not exact matches but they are closest matches.
R-1001 Beige = Beige
R-1013 White Bone = Antique White
R-1016 Lemon Yellow = Duplicolor Daytona Yellow
R-1028 Medium Yellow = Krylon School Bus Yellow
R-2003 Pastel Orange = Krylon Popsicle Orange
R-2010 Signal Orange = Krylon Mandarin Orange
R-2012 Caramel = Krylon Terracota
R-3001 Intense Red = Krylon Banner Red
R-3004 Bordeaux Red = Krylon American Beauty Red
R-3007 Cherokee Red = Krylon Mahogany
R-3014 Raspberry = Krylon Hot Pink
R-3015 Pink = Krylon Rose
R-3017 Fever Red = Krylon Watermelon
R-3020 Light Red = Krylon Scarlet
R-4001 Lilac = Rusto Grape
R-4003 Erika Violet = Rusto Berry Pink
R-4008 Signal Violet = Krylon Plum
R-4009 Bruise = Rusto Grey lilac
R-5005 Dark Blue = Krylon True Blue (darker version)
R-5013 Navy Blue = Navy Blue
R-5015 Medium Blue = Krylon True Blue
R-5023 Lake Blue = Rusto Denim
R-6009 Amazonas Green = Krylon OD Khaki
R-6016 Dark Green = Krylon Moss Green
R-6018 Valley Green = Duplicolor Grabber Green
R-6019 Pale Green = Osh Light Green
R-6027 Luminous Green = Krylon Light Sage
R-6028 Jungle Green = Hunter Green
R-6034 Turquoise Pastel = Krylon Jade Green
R-7040 Pearl Grey = Krylon Dove Grey
R-8023 Mustard = Rusto Cinnamon
R-V1 Pale Violet = Krylon Violet
R-V2 Violet = Rusto Lilac
R-V4 Light Green = Krylon Clover Green
R-V6 Light Grey = Krylon Pewter Grey
R-V9 Apricot = Krylon Light Peach
R-V10 Mint Green = Rusto Safety Green
R-V13 Himalaya Blue = Krylon Slate Blue
R-V17 Tenere Sand = Krylon Spanish Brown
R-V20 Party Yellow = Krylon Pastel Yellow
R-V26 Cork = Rusto Rosewood
R-V29 Artic Blue = Krylon Baby Blue
R-V30 Electric Blue = Krylon Ford Blue
R-V31 Steel Grey = Krylon Smoke Grey
R-V33 Colored Red = Rusto Farmhouse red
R-V34 Guacamole Green = Krylon Jungle Green
R-V35 Chocolate Brown = Rusto Kona Brown
R-V36 Breakfast Brown = Krylon Warm Brown
Best and Worst Colors
Every brand of paint has some colors that are just great, and some colors that straight up suck. You'd never know just looking on the Internet at color charts, but here's what we've found:
Best colors:
-Montana Pistachio -Bright yellow-green
-Molotow Shock Blue -Very bright light blue
-Montana Monaco Blue -Light blue, covers great
-Molotow Telemagenta -Hot pink, comes out brighter than advertised
-Montana Solar Orange -Light yellow, covers great
-Molotow Juice Green -Ultra-bold medium green
-Krylon Watermelon -Similar to MTN Fever Red but isn't pale
-Montana Intense Red -jumps out! very intense
-Molotow Deep Black -Darkest black we've seen, great can control
-Montana Divinity White -very light white
-Rustoleum black -covers well, comes out even
-Molotow Seak Future Green -beautiful dark green
-Montana Ganges Yellow -a bright, "pure yellow" with no hint of orange. Covers great, especially for yellow
-Molotow Golden Yellow -covers very well
-Rustoleum Harbor Blue -bright, very light blue
Worst colors: (these colors really blow; stay away!)
-Montana Colorado Red -light, weak red; covers poorly
-Molotow Signal Yellow -golden yellow is almost the same but covers twice as well
-Montana Devil Red -greyish
-Molotow 600 ml anything -too much pressure for outlining
-Montana Light Yellow -covers poorly
-Molotow Leaf Green -pale
-Krylon Tomato -ugh, just... no
-Krylon Stonewashed Denim -bluish-grey, covers poorly
Conclusion
Buy Spanish Montana and Molotow spray paint and go wild.
Kyro
CAPS
Caps may be the most important tools of graffiti. Without premium paint, a skilled artist can get by with cheap paint. But without the right caps, painting can be frustrating and tedious. Filling in large areas without a fat cap is painful. Making precise outlines without outlines caps is unbearable: you have to cut back over and over again to get them right, unless you have a good outline cap. Know your caps; they are essential to good writing.
People's style is influenced, to some extent at least, by the paint and caps they use. But also, the paint and caps people use influences their style. When people get comfortable with different types of caps, they get used to the technique of painting with those types of caps, and paint. And just like a Rusto user will need to adjust to a Molotow can, a Black Micro cap user will need to adjust to a German Outline cap.
The bottom line is, you'll learn to prefer some caps over others. And you probably won't agree with everyone else. Even the pros have major disagreements pver product preference. You'll just learn to like what you like.
But, there are some things about caps that can be identified and described, and hopefully this information helps you choose your preference.
A Warning Before Proceeding
All artists have individual preferences about caps. Some disagree strongly with one another. Some have different experiences with the same caps. It is up to you to decide which caps you prefer. It's sort of like drummers choosing from the many different sizes and shapes of drumsticks to use; everyone has their own choice.
In many cases, superstition has as much to do with people's preferences as the actual performance of the cap.
What follows is our test results of various caps with various paint brands. Use this is as a guide, but for best results, see for yourself which caps you like the most.
Terminology:
Dot: The dot is the little piece on the front of the cap that the paint comes out of.
Width: This one's the one the novice pays attention to. Obviously, it's how wide your line is. The grey dot is the skinniest; the pink dot is the widest.
Hardness (or,
"sharpness"):
This determines whether you have a
cap that distributes paint evenly across the line (hard), or one that
puts more paint in the center and less paint on the edge (soft). The
German caps (outline/pro/fat) are the hardest; the "dot" series is the
softest. Also, the closer you hold your can to the surface, the harder
the line gets. A black dot from 6 inches looks mighty soft, from 1 inch
you get a much sharper line.
Weight: This
is how much paint
comes out. If a cap is too
heavy, drips become more likely, but if it is too light, the colors
beneath may show through (which is OK, if you're fading or blending).
The brand of paint you use with your cap also
makes a big difference--some paints can be light and drippy (really
cheap brands often are) and some paints can be heavy and still not drip
(Montana). But, all else being equal, the heaviest caps are the needle
caps (we don't even carry these, they're so bad); Rusto Fats and
Orange Dots are on the heavier side while the grey, black, and gold
dots are probably the lightest.
Compatibility:
This makes all
the difference. If a cap doesn't
work with your brand of paint, then what good is it? Some caps perform
very differently depending the brand they're used with.
Regularity:
Some caps with some brands produce funny non-circular shapes.
With calligraphy caps, it's intentional. But if a cap makes an
irregular shape, it's a bad cap. Many stock caps with generic
brands make weird irregular shapes.
Longevity:
Some caps clog up more easily than others, and some paint causes caps
to clog more easily than other brands. Generally skinny caps clog
less than fat caps. MTN paint seems to clog caps a little more
frequently than other brands.
Let us know if you have any further insight
you could provide. Ultimately, every artist
develops his or her own preferences
based on experience, and artists of equal accomplishment can have
totally different opinions about which caps are better than others
(just like musicians and their brand preferences.) The best way to find
out which you like the best is to try everything and decide for
yourself.
The
caps
= favorites
Outliners
Fats
Special Effects
New
York Thin. 
Gold Soft Cap
(a.k.a. Outline Special) 
