My very own paint thread

[Adler]

Here is a shot after 20ish hours of drying. Im not too happy with it so far. The black looks quite grey, hopefully it will improve after more coats.





Here are the runs that need to be sanded. Its still a little tacky, so Ill wait awhile longer before sanding.

[Adler]

I believe it got better with time...

I sanded off the ripples and exposed a little bare metal, is that going to be a serious problem?

[nvr2old]

Just dust the bare metal with a little primer, otherwise the paint will not stick to it.

[MisterCinders]

Just dust the bare metal with a little primer, otherwise the paint will not stick to it.

I'd also sand out the bare metal patches a bit first to feather in the new primer and paint.

If the bare spots are especially visible (like on top), you should weigh spot priming against stripping and re-painting. Spot primed areas never seem to blend back into the rest of the piece.

Ask me how I know . . .

[nvr2old]

I'd also sand out the bare metal patches a bit first to feather in the new primer and paint.

If the bare spots are especially visible (like on top), you should weigh spot priming against stripping and re-painting. Spot primed areas never seem to blend back into the rest of the piece.

Ask me how I know . . .

No offense, but just misting a little primer over the bare metal should be just fine. All you're doing is putting a thin barrier between the metal and new base coats. No need to feather it back farther, or especially strip and re-do it..sheesh. As long as all the materials you're using are compatible together from the start, you shouldn't have any problems.

[MisterCinders]

No offense, but just misting a little primer over the bare metal should be just fine. All you're doing is putting a thin barrier between the metal and new base coats. No need to feather it back farther, or especially strip and re-do it..sheesh. As long as all the materials you're using are compatible together from the start, you shouldn't have any problems.

None taken.

Even with the same materials, the different drying times are my best guess as to why spot primed areas never seem to blend in when I do them (that or it's karma for my unclean lifestyle, crimes against humanity, etc. ).

Also, if the paint "tore" or chipped from the metal leaving a distinct border, you should feather in the area, or you'll just have a divot in the finish that is painted to match the old surface.

With plastics, I would spot prime, etc. Unless you have a lot of bondo work on that tank, stripping the tank is easy. That's why I'd consider it against the risk of a splotchy area, at least on the top of the tank where it will forever mock you.

[Adler]

Just dust the bare metal with a little primer, otherwise the paint will not stick to it.

Uh oh. I MAY have gone ahead and painted without dusting primer already...

There is a lot of orange peel and I think it may be a reaction to the paint thinner that I wiped the tank down with before painting. Also, the "black" looks pretty damn grey in the sun. I'll post pics when I get the chance.

[Adler]

Pitchers, because I know you guys like 'em.


Plenty of orange peel.


This is the worst of the orange peel, you can clearly see that it has some directionality. This leads me to believe it happened along the strokes of my pre-spray cleaning.


Gratuitous over-the-top shot


If I make it a little blurry it looks a little better . (still not very black, though)

[rustybronco]

This is the worst of the orange peel, you can clearly see that it has some directionality. This leads me to believe it happened along the strokes of my pre-spray cleaning.

Your tank has fish-eyes in the paint. I'd strip it, clean it 'properly' and respray it.

[Adler]

Your tank has fish-eyes in the paint. I'd strip it, clean it 'properly' and respray it.

Dangit.

Is it possible to sand that area smooth, clean it "properly" and then respray?

Also, what exactly is "properly". Before spraying I put some paint thinner on a clean paper towel and wiped the tank down. Then I waited about 20 minutes for the thinner to disappear.

Bear with me here, its my first time.

[yoshisakan]

Dangit.

Is it possible to sand that area smooth, clean it "properly" and then respray?

Also, what exactly is "properly". Before spraying I put some paint thinner on a clean paper towel and wiped the tank down. Then I waited about 20 minutes for the thinner to disappear.

Bear with me here, its my first time.

Typically i just wipe the surface down with a rag. I don't use chemicals. Sometimes ill use water on a rag, but you have to make sure to let it dry an hour or so afterward. One other thing. Make sure your spray cans are warm. If they are cold they will cause orange peel every time. Sometimes i keep a bucket of warm water aside and sit the cans in there to warm up. Doing this makes them spray more material at once though, so look out for runs.

[rustybronco]

Is it possible to sand that area smooth, clean it "properly" and then respray?

I guess anythings possible, although I wouldn't bother with trying that.

No, I think it best to completely strip it and use a commercial wax and grease remover by spraying it on the bare metal then wiping it off with a clean cloth, wiped in one direction. The purpose of the wax and grease remover is to float the oils, greases and silicone's above the surface allowing you to wipe them away with the clean cloth. When you spray a paper towel with thinners and wipe the tank all you are doing is moving the contaminants around, not removing them. If you had sprayed lacquer thinners on the surface then wiped it off with a clean cloth, you might have been able to remove the contaminants if they weren't 'stubborn' to remove like silicone's are.

I'd see if you can find the proper cleaners first, before resorting to other methods of cleaning.

[Adler]

Got something done today.

Sanded all the defects off and gave it a cleanin'

It sure looks nice when its wet


Not too bad dry either...


Sprayed one and a half coats...




and then ran out of paint...

[rustybronco]

Alder, At least the one and a half coats you did get put on it sure look nice and smooth!

[MisterCinders]

I also like that rig you have for holding the tank up. Do you paint it there as well?