Stop painting from cracking

[SFC_Allen]

Well this is the 3rd time i've tried to paint this model and no matter what black i use it messes it up somehow.

So i stripped it, washed it, let it dry for a few days. Then primed with dupli-color primer, started with the almound color for the top half.

No issues...taped off and laid down a quick shot of primer. Shot a light coat of dupli-color black...no issues. Ran another coat of black and then the cracking started. Let the car dry, wet sanded those area's smooth carefully washed those areas and rinsed trying not to ruin the taped off section, shot another coat of primer and repeated the same steps...I'll be @#$% if it didn't happen again.

What am i doing wrong that this never happen the very first time i sprayed this car but messed up something else.

Thanks in advance for any guidence. I just want to get this FSP monaco done and one the shelf.... VR Earle

Edited March 11, 2012 by SFC_Allen

[Jantrix]

Whoa. So it wrinkled up with Duplicolor color over Dulicolor primer. I've never heard of that happening. How old are both cans?

[SFC_Allen]

Bought them at the same time last month.

[JunkPile]

I personally do not like to give up on any project but this case may be an exception to the rule. I might just throw away all primers and paints and parts involved in this build. Could this be related to some funny kind of tape?

[Art Anderson]

Whoa. So it wrinkled up with Duplicolor color over Dulicolor primer. I've never heard of that happening. How old are both cans?

Age of the paint should have nothing to do with it. What I am thinking here, is that even though both primer and black are Duplicolor, they are dissimilar paints formula's.

Often when this sort of thing happens, it's because the first layer of paint used (the primer) is an enamel formula, while the color coat is actually one form of lacquer or another. Enamels tend to not penetrate the previous layer of paint, while lacquer does, and when lacquer solvents penetrate into enamel, they cause the dried enamel to swell up, but with no place to go, except to wrinkle as this paint job has.

You might check the can of black, see what (if it does) it recommend for a primer underneath it? If there is a recommendation listed on the can, is that the exact same stock number as the primer? If not, then that's more than likely the problem.

Art

[BKcustoms]

Art is right, check the labels on the can. Also, make sure the primer is completely dry, if it isn't, the evaporating solvents from the primer will escape throught the color coats and create the "cracking" effect.

[Art Anderson]

Art is right, check the labels on the can. Also, make sure the primer is completely dry, if it isn't, the evaporating solvents from the primer will escape throught the color coats and create the "cracking" effect.

I just did a search of Duplicolor's website: Duplicolor does make enamel paints (pretty sure they did!) and that line includes an enamel primer! Duplicolor, in their "Application Tips" (part of every section of their paint listings) BTW specifically states: Lacquer can be applied over Lacquer, Enamel can be applied over Lacquer, Enamel can be applied over Enamel. HOWEVER, LACQUERS CANNOT BE SUCCESSFULLY APPLIED OVER ENAMEL It really appears to me that you apparently bought Enamel primer, but Black Lacquer as your finish coat.

Here's the link to Duplicolor: http://www.duplicolor.com/products/

The site has virtually every bit of information you need to know about Duplicolor products. Now, I suspect that a lot of Big Box stores (you know, the -Marts) aren't as careful as they could be about ensuring that different formula's of paints such as Duplicolor don't get mixed up in the racks. My suggestion? I would shop for automotive touchup paints in auto supply stores (such as Carquest, NAPA, Autozone, Nationwide). Those stores will have staff that at least has some knowledge of their merchandise, and I don't think the prices will be THAT much different.

Art

[SFC_Allen]

Guys, thanks for the tips...

Art, thanks for the great info...As i'm slightly retarded when it comes to painting still. I never even knew you couldn't do that. I did but them at auto zone but i'll make sure i ask for help before i purchase the next can

Looks like i'll restart again Thanks again Earle

[JMD904]

Make sure the can is well shook up. I have had this happen a time or two. If the areosol and paint don't mix well, it paints funny. Once ya stripped the body down, clean it in hot water and soap. Prime it, wait for it to dry, and scrub again. The plastics do release a little oil. Not sure if this helps.

[cobraman]

Weather can also do some crazy stuff to paint jobs. Go lacquer from now on. Much better to work with. This is just my opinion however.