Thought a hard body would be easier to paint

[Greatscott]

I have my TF2 chassis all put together, and I jump right in on the body. Having done lexan clear bodies for years, I figured a hard body would be a lot simpler, nope. I think I have completely screwed this one up.

My question: How much more sensitive are hard bodies to cold?
It is about 55deg in my shop, warm enough to paint up a backslash lexan body and have it come out fine, but the paint on the hard body is going on lumpy. I am using Tamiya TS paint, which is for plastic. Also, the paint isn't binding worth a damn to the body, it is just wiping of with just a little effort (trying to sand the lumpy paint away with 1000 grit. I washed the body with light dish soap (just like I do lexan) before I painted it, let it dry over night, and put down a primer coat.

Thanks.

[BJoe]

What kind of prep work did you do before hand and did you use a primer that was compatabke with the paint?

[58_Willys]

I like to use Duplicolor...primer and paint. Works well and lots of colors.

[kgb424]

I use a Scotchbrite pad on the primer coats and also on the finish coats so there is good paint adhesion.

I also wipe the entire body down with denatured alcohol after I use the Scotchbrite pad to clean it and remove all of the dust and makes it a little tacky

and it the paint sticks better.

I'm also thinking the room temperature is too cold

I looked at the rattle cans of Rust-Oleum primer and Flat and Gloss paints and they all say

Temperature at 70* Degrees and 50% Humidity

I'm thinking if you warm the room up to a high temperature it will lower the humidity

[photocycler]

Did you also keep warm the can in warm water? Also, spraying distance is huge with these

[kgb424]

He doesn't say if he is using rattle cans or a airbrush, maybe the airbrush is setup is not right and its shooting to much paint.

[nharkey85]

Sounds too cold and too heavy of coats

[The Violator]

http://www.amazon.com/Klean-Strip-BU.../dp/B002GUGH04


Prep, prep, and more prep. Then use this ass a base. This is by far the best product I have ever used when painting plastics. I have painted dozens of quads, dirt bikes, etc with automotive paints. Bulldog first, add a little into the paint, and it never flakes, cracks, etc.

[imthatguy]

I usually leave about a day or two in between in colours too. Let the gases expel from each coat. Super important for adhesion.

[Kylar]

Sounds like its the temp more than anything, especially if the cans were cold as well. Anything below 60ish and the paint will not spray nicely, and will get "lumpy"

Make sure the cans are left inside at room temperature before you paint, and heat the workplace to at least 70 if possible

[Greatscott]

I was using Tamiya plastic rattle can paint (TS). I washed the body really well, and used a good primer. I do think the problem was heat, or lack there of. It was only 55 deg in my shop. I am hoping I can save the body. I figure I'll bring it in the house, let it warm up, and the paint should actually adhere. After that I'll try wet sanding the body with 600 grit, then hit it again with the primer, then back to the base color, all after warming my shop up to 70 or so.

Thanks for the replies!

[Kylar]

Originally Posted by Greatscott

I was using Tamiya plastic rattle can paint (TS). I washed the body really well, and used a good primer. I do think the problem was heat, or lack there of. It was only 55 deg in my shop. I am hoping I can save the body. I figure I'll bring it in the house, let it warm up, and the paint should actually adhere. After that I'll try wet sanding the body with 600 grit, then hit it again with the primer, then back to the base color, all after warming my shop up to 70 or so.

Thanks for the replies!

After the paint dries, which im guessing it is by now, i would just sand it smooth with 400 grit dry, wash the body, then re-primer or maybe even just repaint the base color. Depends how picky you are.

Sounds like you have the right idea, make sure the cans are warm, and shake them really good for a few minutes. Test spray on a box or something to make sure you are getting a good spray pattern, and its not spitting out droplets. I have gotten bad/old paint cans before that just wouldnt spray right no matter what, even after changing the nozzle. if thats the case get some new paint.

Also make sure to post some pictures of the results

[Greatscott]

Thanks for all of the advise, seems like the hard bodies and their paint is a hell of a lot more sensitive to the cold. I brought the body inside for a couple of days, the paint dried and adhered to the body. I sanded, washed and put a couple of coats on this evening, with the paint and body warmed up inside, everything went on nice and smooth and is actually looking the way I want it to.

[Kylar]

Originally Posted by Greatscott

Thanks for all of the advise, seems like the hard bodies and their paint is a hell of a lot more sensitive to the cold. I brought the body inside for a couple of days, the paint dried and adhered to the body. I sanded, washed and put a couple of coats on this evening, with the paint and body warmed up inside, everything went on nice and smooth and is actually looking the way I want it to.

Excellent! now post some pics