I think you can use pretty much anything. You use a primer then a base coat. They do recommend that if you use your paint you use a good automotive base paint and self etching primer for metals and or a CPO primer for plastics or other surfaces. CPO primer is basically an adhesion promoter. I used the stuff they sent on a few things. Then I used a grey self-etching primer & high heat paint that I got from Home Depot on my scope & mag. I also used the home depot primer and a camo tan as my base coat (top coat right below dip)