Testors spray enamel

[RichCostello]

Does this stuff ever dry? I'm building a 70 HemiCuda, and painted it with spray can sublime green enamel about 10 days ago, and it's still pretty tacky. I usually use lacquer, but Hobby Lobby had enamel in the lacquer spot, and I bought it by mistake. 

The paint job came out really good, but I don't think it's ever going to dry completely! 

Can it be clear coated while it's still a little tacky?

Thanks,Rich

[Ace-Garageguy]

Only thing I still use Testors rattlecan enamel on is small parts that I want glossy, and can't possibly polish...like steel wheels on old-school hot-rods.

I generally give the stuff a week to harden up when the temps are well over 60F, longer if it's colder.

[TarheelRick]

This is the perfect use for a food dehydrator.  Do not use the one you use for food, find a good used one at a yard sale or flea market.  It will still take some time and will need to be done in 30-45 minute segments (controls heat buildup), but it will dry much quicker and a bit harder finish.

[StevenGuthmiller]

I used to use a lot of Testors enamels & I can tell you from experience that yes, it does dry, albeit very slowly, but I would usually put a freshly painted body away & forget about it for about 3 months.

This may be a little extreme, but it insured that the paint was absolutely cured before doing any polishing or the like.

 

Steve

[Fat Brian]

This is one reason I always use clear coat over Testors paint, their clear seems to dry harder and less sticky than the paint. As Rick said a paint dryer does wonders for Testors paint. Getting the temperature up a bit helps the solvents to escape and harden the paint. Not too hot to warp the body, just enough to get the lingering gases out of the paint. I've hung a body from a chandelier with the lights before just to dry it a bit.

[StevenGuthmiller]

2 hours ago, Fat Brian said:

 I've hung a body from a chandelier with the lights before just to dry it a bit.

I used to set parts on the hearth in front of my gas fireplace for this purpose.

Worked pretty well.

 

Steve

[Snake45]

Yeah, the Testor rattlecan enamels can take a good month or more to dry out enough to polish, or even be safely handled. 

I routinely airbrush them, but cut with lacquer thinner. So applied, they're ready to be polished in 48 hours.