Spray Paint issues....Suggestions? (1 Viewer)

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EWheeler

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My roomate and I are both having a hell of a time with spray paint. I have been spraying some parts for my 40 and he has been doing the same for his heep and everytime, the paint will just flake off with the lightest touch. Everything we have painted was taken down to bare metal, then one coat of Rustoleum industrial primer from Home Depot, then two coats of Rustoleum industrial spray paint. What are we doing wrong. Do we need to be using self-etching primer to get adhesion? Its frustrating as h ell spending the time to paint something only to have it look like c rap after installing it. Any suggestions appreciated!

Evan
 
When you take it down to bare metal, are you roughing it up so the paint has something to grab ? I just did some parts and went over it with 120 grit before spraying.
 
You are not using automotive paint. You need a good single stage acrylic enamel, Dupont Centari or Nason. Use a sandable primer over your bare metal and wet sand with 600 grit and apply 3 light coats of paint. Depending on temperature use low, medium or high temp reducer and mix with a good hardener made by the paint mfgr. Follow directions carefully concerning mixing. 1.5 or 1.6 mm tip om your spray gun.
 
I don't think he is using a gun, it appears he is using cans. I never had a problem using Rustoleum primer and paint cans to paint small parts.
 
x2 i've used rustoleom in the exact way you are saying and never had a problem like yours (in my case it just takes forever to dry and harden).. sandblasted (which provides the rough surface-although i've wirewheeled stuff too and it works fine) prime with either rusty metal primer or auto rustoleom primer and then top coat with rustoleom black

it sounds to me like there might be a problem with either your method of painting or the conditions might not be good.

make sure it is above 60* F and lower than like 70% humidity.

you also might be doing something weird with the amount of time you are leaving between coats.. give a call up to customer service and they should be able to set you straight - had to do that with some engine enamel.. the women on the phone new her stuff
 
I have always used rattle can rustoleum on my 40 without any problems. When I first purchased my 40 I took it done to bare metal, and cleaned it really well with one of those metal prep/cleaners that are on the market. When painting I have always used several thin coats of both the primer and then the primary color. As stated in one of the posts look back at either your method or conditions in which you did your painting.
 
Rustoleum does not like to stick to primer.
 
Rustoleum does not like to stick to primer.

I have noticed that many will say that they did not use (or maybe, do not need to use) primer. I used Rustoleum spray primer on my hood: I did not have any issues with adhesion...then again, I rolled the gloss on. (thanks 'Hawk ;))

On my hard top, I sprayed Rustoleum gloss over Rustoleum primer without issue (except for the fact that my coats were WAAAAY too thick, and gnarled up on me; the second application went on smooth).

Edit: I will have to try a primer-less job next time.
 
One thing you might consider is to use some acetone or the like to degrease whatever you are spraying before hand. Paint and primer won't stick to a greasy surface. Like others have said, rough up the surface and then wipe it down with acetone, then spray it.

Good luck! :cheers:
 
All suggestions are good. Although I would use Wax and Grease Remover instead of acetone: Klean-Strip Prep-All Wax & Grease Remover - GSW362

It can be found for under $20 at most automotive paint stores.

My guess is your having a mixture of cleanness issues mixed with humidity issues.

I have also found that flat, or semi flat krylon does not run as baddly, and drys much faster than rustoleum. (about 15 minutes before the part is ready to install)
 
One thing you might consider is to use some acetone or the like to degrease whatever you are spraying before hand. Paint and primer won't stick to a greasy surface. Like others have said, rough up the surface and then wipe it down with acetone, then spray it.

Good luck! :cheers:

Thanks for all the feedback.

I was using brake cleaner as a grease remover. Maybe that had something to do with it. I was also painting when it was around 70-75 degrees out, and the humidity here in Colorado is really low so I dont think those variables were the issue. I just think that Rustolem paint is junk. My roomate picked up some Krylon flat black and painted a bunch of parts and everything turned out great. I will be using Krylon from now on.
 
I have all kinds of Rustoleum on my 80 mini truck (see the link below). It's now spending the winter outside (while my 40 gets to sleep in the garage) and the paint has held up great.

My rough process:
Remove paint to the metal around any surface rust. I've started to use chemical paint removers and trying to stay away from anything that cuts away metal.

Make sure any surface has been hit with some sanding to rough it up.

Clean, clean, clean - I've used small amounts of acetone for small parts, but more often the professional type Wax & Grease Removers.

Then I always use the POR "Metal Ready" stuff on any bare steel/surface rust, with a good rinse (important) to make sure and neutralize the stuff before paint. Then make sure everything is really dry and don't touch any surface until you get paint on it. It's not real cheap, but I think well worth it if you have any surface rust, etc. Don't use their spray bottle, it's really wasteful - just brush the stuff on. Seems to also help the clean bare metal hold the new paint.

On lots of bare metal I've played around with the white "bare metal primer" Rustoleum makes. It seems to work but I'm not sure it's necessary.


It's funny you mention Krylon - I've alway been really disappointed with Krylon. :)
 

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