Painting with acrylic problems

[hmmmnz]

hey guys, normally i paint with enamel on plastic parts ect and get a good result,
but since enamel isnt fuel resistant i cant really use it on the tank,

so i have done my etch primer coats on the bare metal, and done about 6-7
coats of black, even though the paint goes on a nice gloss black, by the time it drys, it has a grey haze to it.. wtf
i can kind of rub it off with a polishing cloth,

is my painting area too cold??

[Juzz976]

yeh that happens a bit, I just rub down with 1200-2000 grit wet'n'dry then apply 2K clear.
I am not a professional painter but I have acheived great results using acrylic paints.

Temperature shouldn't be a problem on your tank as a few mins in the sun warms it quite well prior to application.

Not sure how much thinners you're using, I dont go by directions just use dip stick and watch run off. I found going by mixing directions the paint would be too thin. also 6-7 coats is a fair amount of paint, how long are you waiting between applications?

[Juzz976]

The gloss black I used from supercheap was real nice once rubbed down, I wanted to clear straight over that but it was a base coat for a purple metallic.

[hmmmnz]

the stuff in the cans from supercheep is enamel,
i rarely get that wrong:D
im doing it from cans so can't really alter the mix (no compressor= no options)
im waiting 24-36 hours between coats (its a slow process :D)
a mate of mine seems its something called "paint blooming"
where its too damp or cold.
which is true enough of my garage, (concrete block type set into the hill (wellington))

if the day warms up, i might try and do it out side and tie the tank to the washing line...

how much paint will end up on the tank is anyones guess in wellington :D

[nallac]

I had a similar prob when i sprayed my Sporty tank,it ended up I put too much thinners in the mix, and didn't allow enough flash off time.

Rub back,(again) reduce the amount of thinners in the next batch.
Was all good.

Since you're spraying with cans it could be the temp affecting the outcome.
Whats the temp been when you have been spraying?.

[Juzz976]

just put it out in the sun where its sheltered from the wind, it should hold its temp for long enough to spray, I also warm up tins in the sun too.

Once I even warmed up the oven the turned it off and put things in there to raise temp. low temp of course

Problem with outside is you'll get bugs and shit blown onto your work.

I'd recommend putting a 2k clear on it otherwise it'll chip and crack and I'd say Petrol will just melt the acrylic.

next time I do a tank I'm just going to take it to the powdercoaters as they'll do it for minimum charge $22 here and a real nice finish thats wicked resilient. They prime, base and clear for that.
Had an old frame done + other bits - sandblast - prime - metallic base - clear for $140 so I only need to work a few hours and save myself the mess and hassle.

[Juzz976]

Warm the paint up, works with both gun and tins - especially the clear coat as it will curdle. I use gun mostly and wait 10 mins between coats as they'll bond together better and wont flake out when flexed.

3-4 coats should be suffiecient as long as there is even coverage and the primer isnt too light.

Pretty much everytime I use acrylics I rub down with 2000 grit then clear straight over, watch edges for rub through.

I'll say this anyways : follow the lines of the work and start with edges then do flat surfaces but still keeping with the flow or shape of the work.

[88bros]

its probley blooming due to the weather not being warm enough or maybe a bit humid