Spray paint issues

[Marky Mark]

Ok, paint experts... I bought a cheap plastic wall clock at Big Lots, the outer frame was silver paint over black plastic. So it would match my garage trim, I wiped it down and sprayed it with Rustoleum "Painter's Touch Ultra Cover" (apple red).

Got some fish-eye (bad prep, my fault), so I waited a couple days sanded it smooth cleaned it again and resprayed. The next coat appears to have attacked the first, resulting in a 'crinkle' finish. I've now gone thru several spin cycles of sand, wipe, spray, curse, repeat. Thankfully the plastic seems to be pretty tough, but it's not taking paint well.

At this point I need some kind of primer that will stick, won't attack what's left of the substrate, and can be sanded smooth. I'll probably finish it by rolling-on a waterbased enamel.

Ideas?

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

You can't sand or scuff a finish coat of spray paint because it will crinkle/lift. Instead re-sand and smooth out your mess and shoot it with a primer then go with your finish coat. If it is real bad use a sandable auto primer.

 

[retrobuilder]

Rustoleum spray paint are fairly heavy in slow flash solvents. That often causes the spray coats to melt into the last coat and crinkle and also lift. When you sand it thinner the paint even though dried more is prone to lifting.

Let it dry under a warm lamp over night- space it warm to your hand but not so close as to be uncomfortable then spray with Duplicolor "sandable primer using light coats spaced 15 minutes apart at or above room temperature (72+ degrees F). Then use a Duplicolor or Krylon red to you liking. Spray medium coats waiting 15-20 minutes between coats. Heavy coats will take longer to flash off or run easier.

Another option is to just use Krylon "plastics" spray paint. It is a latex which should be more friendly--just shake it for like 3 minutes cause the latex spray does not mix well in the can. Store in a dry place if you have left over paint. The water solvent can rust through the steel can and go **** (from experience). hope this helps.

PS- These are available at Walmart, Sherwin Williams and many auto part stores

 

[BFBOB]

I've found that lacquers generally work better than enamels on plastic. Not as good a color selection, and harder to find, but HD has a pretty fair selection of spray lacquer. Of course, as one Lister said, any spray paint that says it's for plastic should work.

 

[Marky Mark]

Thanks guys. I selected the Rust Oleum because Apple Red is my trim color in the garage. In addition to the spray can, I have a quart of the matching water-based Painter's Touch that I could put on with a foam roller. Since the clock will be up on the wall, a little texture in the finish is fine., I just need it to match my wall moulding, and other details.

Am I correct in assuming that a water based enamel should go over an automotive type primer without any drama? It doesn't have to stick exceptionally well, as this won' be handled...

 

[JDishong]

Thanks guys. I selected the Rust Oleum because Apple Red is my trim color in the garage. In addition to the spray can, I have a quart of the matching water-based Painter's Touch that I could put on with a foam roller. Since the clock will be up on the wall, a little texture in the finish is fine., I just need it to match my wall moulding, and other details.

Am I correct in assuming that a water based enamel should go over an automotive type primer without any drama? It doesn't have to stick exceptionally well, as this won' be handled...

Enamels over lacquar are ok, not the other way around.

Make sure your first two coats are "dry", almost mist-coats but they need to cover lightly. Once dried, you can begin to apply heavier coats. This is how I avoid fish-eyes.

 

[retrobuilder]

Am I correct in assuming that a water based enamel should go over an automotive type primer without any drama? It doesn't have to stick exceptionally well, as this won' be handled...

Should be fine, for roll painting you could use a quart of "Kilz" latex sealant primer. They maybe able tint it red.