Rattle can paint job

Started by Submariner2, December 09, 2023, 11:24:54 PM

Submariner2

I've bought some wider "G63" style fender flares that I plan on fitting to my G class.  My bodyshop guy is booked solid until late March so I decided to paint the fenders myself.

It has been a bit of a learning curve. This is the first time I've painted a part on the car that requires a really good looking paint job (I've refinished the oxidized underside of the front skid plate and both running boards before). I managed to smudge the paint, ever so slightly, on one of the fenders even though I let it dry overnight. My garage is around 55 degrees and under 30% humidity but I guess that still wasn't low enough to adequately dry. Another fender became dinged up when it somehow came loose from the hook suspending it in the garage and it hit the floor (really confused as to how that happened).  A third fender has a few small, yet very noticeable paint globs which occurred despite ceaseless cleaning of the nozzle.  One primed and unpainted fender remains.

I'm using the tried and true Rust-o-leum method - a few coats of primer, a few coats of automotive gloss black enamel and then a few coats of automotive gloss clear (the automotive products are formulated to provide greater UV protection). I'd really like to use Eastwood 2k clearcoat but the rust-o-leum fumes are already making their way into the house, and 2k is way, way more toxic. Hopefully the gloss clear will help it to pop a bit more. I'll probably end up brining the fenders to my detailer and see if he can polish them before I perform the install.

Lint remains a stubborn problem - no matter how much I clean, there is always some tiny piece of lint that I find after the gloss black has been applied.  The fender that fell looked great but in a way it is good that it did fall, as I wouldn't have remembered to sand it down before applying another coat.

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2010 G 550
2019 GLS550

Submariner2

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2010 G 550
2019 GLS550

AutobahnSHO

Are you sanding between coats?

From what I can tell, that's a must!
Will

Submariner2

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on December 10, 2023, 01:31:51 PMAre you sanding between coats?

From what I can tell, that's a must!

Yeah.  I actually forgot to do so initially.  I'm glad the first fender fell, otherwise I would not have remembered to do so.
2010 G 550
2019 GLS550

Submariner2

The paint is now applying unevenly.  Some spots look great while others have faint yet noticeable ripples.  The garage is about 55 degrees, 30% humidity, the can was warm, the tip and surface, clean.  Not sure what is going on.
2010 G 550
2019 GLS550

MrH

:wtf:  Just pay a shop man.  It can't be that expensive.
2023 Ford Lightning Lariat ER
2019 Acura RDX SH-AWD
2023 BRZ Limited

Previous: '02 Mazda Protege5, '08 Mazda Miata, '05 Toyota Tacoma, '09 Honda Element, '13 Subaru BRZ, '14 Hyundai Genesis R-Spec 5.0, '15 Toyota 4Runner SR5, '18 Honda Accord EX-L 2.0t, '01 Honda S2000, '20 Subaru Outback XT, '23 Chevy Bolt EUV

CaminoRacer

I've always had issues with spray paint under 65-70 degrees.
1969 El Camino, 2017 Bolt EV, 2021 Tesla Model 3 Performance

Morris Minor

It doesn't dry: it cures. The stinky solvent evaporates fairly quickly and leaves the surface dry to the touch, but the paint needs to have time to cure & harden up all the way through before putting on the next coat. If put on too soon the next coat can soften what's underneath.

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''Simplicity is Complexity Resolved'' - Constantin Brâncuși

Submariner2

That's what I figured, but I gave this four days to dry.  The can says to recoat after 48 hours.  The surface is clean and certainly well past cured and I'm getting this bullshit:

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2010 G 550
2019 GLS550

Submariner2

The crazy thing is the first costs went on without anything like this
2010 G 550
2019 GLS550

FoMoJo

You may need heat lamps to make sure that it's really set.
"Blind belief in authority is the greatest enemy of truth" ~ Albert Einstein
"As the saying goes, when you mix science and politics, you get politics."

Submariner2

Possibly.  What is baffling me is why the first coats went on without problem.
2010 G 550
2019 GLS550

FoMoJo

The first coat goes on pretty thin usually.  The second coat, unless the first is perfectly cured, will melt from whatever thinner they use in the can and you end up with a double coat of runny paint.

I've used these spray cans way, way back on a few of my cars and I would think that they've improved them.  Doesn't seem like it though.  Heat will bake out any moisture in previous coats, and then you can sand it.
"Blind belief in authority is the greatest enemy of truth" ~ Albert Einstein
"As the saying goes, when you mix science and politics, you get politics."

giant_mtb

1000, 1500, 2000.

Those are sandpaper numbers. And machine buffing after 2000.

But when it's crumbly like that...hate to say it, but, start over and try again.

Submariner2

Quote from: giant_mtb on December 14, 2023, 10:45:42 PM1000, 1500, 2000.

Those are sandpaper numbers. And machine buffing after 2000.

But when it's crumbly like that...hate to say it, but, start over and try again.

A local shop will do them for $120 a pop.  I just don't have time with everything that is going on.
2010 G 550
2019 GLS550

MrH

You don't have time to drop them off and pick up, but you have time to try painting them yourself?!
2023 Ford Lightning Lariat ER
2019 Acura RDX SH-AWD
2023 BRZ Limited

Previous: '02 Mazda Protege5, '08 Mazda Miata, '05 Toyota Tacoma, '09 Honda Element, '13 Subaru BRZ, '14 Hyundai Genesis R-Spec 5.0, '15 Toyota 4Runner SR5, '18 Honda Accord EX-L 2.0t, '01 Honda S2000, '20 Subaru Outback XT, '23 Chevy Bolt EUV

Submariner2

I started this project before my wife went into the hospital when I had the time.  Now I don't have the time.
2010 G 550
2019 GLS550

CaminoRacer

Get the kid in the garage already. I'm sure they can hold a flashlight by now, right?
1969 El Camino, 2017 Bolt EV, 2021 Tesla Model 3 Performance

AutobahnSHO

Quote from: CaminoRacer on December 16, 2023, 12:27:35 PMGet the kid in the garage already. I'm sure they can hold a flashlight by now, right?

:lol:
Will

Submariner2

Best way to remove rustoleum enamel from plastic?

I'm going to strip it and have a local shop do the job (should have done that front he start but that's another story).
2010 G 550
2019 GLS550

MrH

Have the shop do that too!  Have you learned nothing from this experience?! :lol:
2023 Ford Lightning Lariat ER
2019 Acura RDX SH-AWD
2023 BRZ Limited

Previous: '02 Mazda Protege5, '08 Mazda Miata, '05 Toyota Tacoma, '09 Honda Element, '13 Subaru BRZ, '14 Hyundai Genesis R-Spec 5.0, '15 Toyota 4Runner SR5, '18 Honda Accord EX-L 2.0t, '01 Honda S2000, '20 Subaru Outback XT, '23 Chevy Bolt EUV

giant_mtb

Quote from: Submariner2 on January 03, 2024, 12:16:36 PMBest way to remove rustoleum enamel from plastic?

I'm going to strip it and have a local shop do the job (should have done that front he start but that's another story).


Palm orbital sander. Can get a cheap one for like $20 at Walmart.

AutobahnSHO

Whatever happened with the fenderz???
Will

Submariner2

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on April 11, 2024, 03:20:34 PMWhatever happened with the fenderz???

Brought them to a shop.  Too much going on to do them myself.
2010 G 550
2019 GLS550