Clear rattle can over brushed Rustoleum'

[partsproduction]

Knowing there is a lot of experience with painting in this particular forum I hope I can ask a question someone may be able to help me with. The restoration of a tool I've been restoring for a long time is coming to the end and we brushed Rustoleum over well sanded filler, and nothing we do makes the nice smooth glossy surface I'd like to see. The brush strokes show.

My thought was to spray a clear coat all over it with a rattle can, as I don't have painting equipment, and it is only to smooth up the finish.
I know many of you have restored vises, many with rattle cans, but perhaps one of you has done what I'm doing, brush paint and follow with spray can clear coat. My question is this, what kind of spray will not lift he Rustoleum or react badly?
Thanks,

 

[astroracer]

Clear won't hide the brush strokes. It will make them look worse. You would have been better off to spray it with a rattle can then brush it. I use rattle cans for just about everything I restore. It's quick and easy and gives good results if prepped correctly.
Depending on what rustoleum you brushed on, you will probably have issues trying to spray anything over it. Especially if it was just their regular enamel based paint.
Mark

 

[CJM8515]

Even sprayed on clear Ive found causes orange peel on an otherwise smooth surface. I tried a few times with rustoleum.

Id brush on clear, but its gonna still show brush marks. Might have to strip it and spray it all with a gun.

 

[partsproduction]

Wow, bad news. But thanks guys.
Parts

 

[djjsr]

Thin the rustoleum just slightly with mineral spirits. Don't paint when it's warm, the paint starts to set up too fast and the brush strokes won't level out. About 55 or 60 degrees is ok. Use a nice soft good quality brush. I suggest a Purdy, Dale style.

 

[partsproduction]

Thanks Djjsr, should we concentrate on horizontal planes so the thinner paint won't run? I could let that dry then turn so vertical surfaces are horizontal and then paint them etc until done.

 

[mitusa]

I've had pretty good luck using hardener in the paint when brushing it on.....l

 

[djjsr]

Thanks Djjsr, should we concentrate on horizontal planes so the thinner paint won't run? I could let that dry then turn so vertical surfaces are horizontal and then paint them etc until done.

Sure, if you can lay things horizontally it would be better. But the paint shouldn't run even vertically. Try putting lighter coats on and just do 2 coats.

 

[chornback]

Floetrol?

 

[crab]

I thin rustoleum with acetone, about 10%, up to 15% . I spray it but I know you don't have that option. You should probably sand it down and use spray cans on it, you can get a pretty good finish with them.

 

[p_mori7]

As previously mentioned, thin out the paint with paint thinner, use a finer haired brush, apply several coats or use a small foam roller.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Floetrol?

Penetrol for oil or alkyd, Floetrol for latex. Available at Lowes.

 

[laser3kw]

Thin the rustoleum just slightly with mineral spirits. Don't paint when it's warm, the paint starts to set up too fast and the brush strokes won't level out. About 55 or 60 degrees is ok. Use a nice soft good quality brush.

I tried to brush on Rustoleum and wound up with a similar problem even with foam brushes. I did as suggested here and it helped. The biggest help was the switching to a small roller. I made a guess it has to do something with the surface tension of the paint and it flowing back level under its own weight.

 

[partsproduction]

I asked the wife about a small roller and she said it results in a mottled surface, but she is probably thinking of water based house paint. Before I do anything else I'm goig to try a urethane clear spray at the bottom rear where no one will ever see it. If that doesn't work I'll experiment with thinning etc.
I've spent many dozens of hours restoring this very old shaper from the 1920's and would like the paint to reflect the rest of the effort, milling, scraping and frosting etc.

You have all been very generous with your advice and it's very gratifying to me, thank you all!
Parts

 

[Farmall450]

Clear won't hide the brush strokes. It will make them look worse. You would have been better off to spray it with a rattle can then brush it. I use rattle cans for just about everything I restore. It's quick and easy and gives good results if prepped correctly.
Depending on what rustoleum you brushed on, you will probably have issues trying to spray anything over it. Especially if it was just their regular enamel based paint.
Mark

I agree. I haven't needed to paint anything too big for rattle cans (55 gallon drum smoker, vises, bucket snow plow brackets, etc etc).