Anybody else have problems with ace spray paint?

[Scimonetti]

I was in ace getting some 4 dollar storage bins and picked up some machinery gray house brand paint to try, also 4 bucks. I have a couple cheap projects coming up.
I tried it inside on a small motor end bell and it *****! I shook it up very very well before each coat and used in a 60 degree building. Even very light coats from 18 inches away it dripped in big lines. In the past couple months I've probably ran 15 cans of valspar, rustoleum, Bedliner, krylon, cheapo home depot .99¢ stuff and know how to prevent drips. Has anybody else found this paint to be extra thin, or did I just get a bad batch?

 

[mtwaterguy]

Problem is probably that you got the smooth finish. They make too good a product. So smooth it just slides off in spots

: sorry I know it doesn't help with your problem

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

When I worked at my last job fixing boat props and making drive shafts we used Ace spray paint since there was an ACE next door and it was **** just like you described. I will never use it again

 

[txvwnut]

I use their satin black a lot and have never gotten a bad can. I got some ivory gloss the other day and it was either mixed wrong or the can was mis labeled as it came out flat. I also got some that either didn't have propellant in the can or it was defective as it didn't spray at all. So I guess Ace is hit and miss with their spray can paint.

 

[Ign]

Yes, I've only used it once and it was like spraying water. 10 ja-zillion coats were needed to cover bare steel. This is another reason I still like Rustoleum despite their crappy new nozzles.

 

[Scimonetti]

Very interesting. I'm glad I made this, I thought it was just going to be a pretty isolated QC problem.

 

[Steevo]

I have only tried it recently on a floor jack project, but had no problems at all with runs. In fact, it was easier to apply, and set/dried faster than the Rustoleum paints that I typically use.

I did spray it in an environment that was over 65 degrees F.

 

[david3921]

As this is my first post, I have to be careful that I don't come off as critical. That being said, I am guessing that you sprayed at too low of a temperature. The solvents need to flash out of the paint between coats. I'm guessing that Ace Hardware paints would be at the lower end of quality and wouldn't be too forgiving if used outside the temp "window".

 

[Fizbin]

I am guessing that you sprayed at too low of a temperature.

Yep, ACE paints work best at 75 degrees (or higher) and 50% humidity (or lower). They're pretty finicky paints, but are very good when you get the application right.

Hope that helps.

 

[Scimonetti]

As this is my first post, I have to be careful that I don't come off as critical. That being said, I am guessing that you sprayed at too low of a temperature. The solvents need to flash out of the paint between coats. I'm guessing that Ace Hardware paints would be at the lower end of quality and wouldn't be too forgiving if used outside the temp "window".

Welcome to the board! I think you are right. That never crossed my mind actually as I normally paint in the unheated garage but took a small piece to the basement for a fair test of it. Even though it says 50-90 there's probably less usable range.

 

[Davefr]

As this is my first post, I have to be careful that I don't come off as critical. That being said, I am guessing that you sprayed at too low of a temperature. The solvents need to flash out of the paint between coats. I'm guessing that Ace Hardware paints would be at the lower end of quality and wouldn't be too forgiving if used outside the temp "window".

^^Good first post and welcome to GJ!

I will just add that the first coat has to be very light and then flash off. That way this coat can absorb the solvents from subsequent coats and not run.

IMHO Ace spray paint takes many more coats to get the same coverage as Rustoleum.

 

[sberry]

I always thought ACE was pretty good, maybe not. They do have a good color selection.

 

[454ragtop]

For that color, tough to beat Plasticote. Use it in the cold, 40 deg., shop all the time with excellent results.
HTH, Jim

 

[stikman56]

OP said he painted over bare steel. That's a big part of the problem. Primer it first, you'll get a better paint job, the paint will stay on and you won't get rusting under the paint, like every bare steel painted piece I've ever seen when it gets older.

 

[Ign]

I paint most of my stuff on gray plastic milk crates as pictured above LOL! I coulda sworn that was my photo at first, the whole setup just looks so familiar. Not Ace related but nozzle adapters from Art Primo were the best thing I ever did to get rid of the pathetic "new" Rustoleum spurters.

 

[G-force]

Good idea on the milk crates, I need to get some. I normally hang parts when painting. I also preheat both the part and the can whenever possible in cold weather. I also have an oven in my shop that I will heat cure metal parts to about 150 for 10 minutes after painting, once they come out and cool for another 10 minutes they are pretty well cured. Even slow drying rustoleum (my spray paint of choice)