Question about spraying acrylic enamel

[bobs409]

I'll be painting the 66 Impala in the very near future and was wondering about the procedure for applying extra coats.

Up until now, I basically sprayed 2-3 coats, then quit, job all done. :D

This time, I would like to add extra paint (at least 4 coats) so I have some extra material to remove later in the sand/buff process.

How long should you wait in between coats? If I spray 1 full wet coat, how long until I can spray the next, and the next and the next?

The reason I ask is I once had a problem with the hood on my 72 Chevelle. I painted the whole car but when I came back around to spray another coat on the hood, it "aligatored". I had to strip the hood and respray it the next day. :doh I can only think that I should have either sprayed that coat sooner or left it dry longer first??? :confused:

I'll be using acrylic enamel with hardner. Pure black.


Thanks for any help,

Bob

[Impalaguru]

Hey Bob,

I was taught by my paint instructor to wait 15 minutes between coats. This time frame corresponds to using the correct temp. reducer. I'm guessing that you should be fine with mid-temp. This should be just enough time to let the paint flash off so you don't get any solvent pop.

I would use full wet coats. It wouldn't be a bad idea to spray the 4th coat if you want to color sand and buff later but I was always told that acrylic enamel takes a looong time to harden up enough to color sand. However, if you are using the catylist, I think that you would be OK after a few days. I would ask the paint store guys on that one. I know you can come back and sand the next day with acrylic urethane.

That 66 is gonna look great in BLACK!!

Ross

[bobs409]

Thanks Ross. I guess you can tell, I'm a bit paranoid about the paint "aligatoring" again. :eek:

I hear you on the color sand, probably best to wait a while. I think I'll let it sit a week or more before I sand and buff.

Can't wait to post the after pics. :D

[Tom Kochtanek]

Bob:

Before sanding I waited at least 7 days after spraying for both the primer and the finish coats. I used single stage enamel with hardener for the final coats, like you. I put on many coats and then hand sanded the entire body down (several times!).

I'm quite the amateur (not an expert), but like a lot of things it comes down to patience and effort. And reading the labels on your paint products. The sheets that come with the various paints really help you make decisions, but there's some experimentation also...

It's really fun hand sanding, and good for your wrists and hands as well :) :) :).



Enjoy the process!

TomK

[bignbad60]

iMPALA GURU HAS IT DEAD ON THE MONEY, 15 TO 20 MIN BETWEEN WET COATS AND IF YOUR GOING TO DO ANY COLOR SANDING AT LEAST 72 HOURS, AND OF COURSE THIS ALL CHANGES WITH CONDITIONS AND BAROMETRIC PRESSURES ETC... BIGGEST THING IS MAKE SURE THERE ISNT ANY RESIDUE FROM SILICON SPRAY OR PENETRATING OIL SPRAYS...THEY CAN MAKE FOR A LONG DAY !!! GOOD LUCK :cheers

[bobs409]

Thanks Tom. I don't mind investing the time, it will be worth it. Can't wait until I'm color sanding. :brow

I've searched and searched the net and could not find one single website that went into detail about spraying paint! :dunno :scratch

If anyone knows of any good sites, I'd love to check them out.

[bobs409]

Thanks bignbad60. That confirms it then, will do just that. :)

[Tom Kochtanek]

Bob:

Try out the CT link for Paint and Bodywork, monitored by Ollie: http://www.chevytalk.org/threads/postlist.php/Cat/0/Board/UBB73

I found numerous docments posted by "MartinSR" to be more helpful when I began my project. Very informative!

Good luck!
TomK