Acrylics for car finishes?

[Dave G.]

On 1/31/2019 at 10:08 AM, Intmd8r said:

I am in the process of experimenting with Testors Acrylic paint and sharing the some of the frustration in the post.  What has been you experience with curing time?  I know elements like temperature and humidity are a factor, but I'm looking more of a baseline to start with.

Are you spraying the hardware store variety of craft Testors acrylics or Testors Model Master acryl ? I've had great luck with MM and heat setting it. Doing that it's in pretty good shape the next day for further steps. You need to prime though, MM won't stick to plastic on it's own worth beans ( most acrylics don't except Liquitex soft body, that does pretty well). For me that's fine because I prime with Badger Stynylrez primers anyway regardless of what the color coat will be... I also scuff body parts further increasing bond.

Anyway, MM acryl lays down and flows out real nice in my experience. And it produces a pretty hard finish when fully cured and put down on a good primer. Again in my experience. Others opinions may vary.

[Goodwrench3]

1 hour ago, Dave G. said:

Are you spraying the hardware store variety of craft Testors acrylics or Testors Model Master acryl ? I've had great luck with MM and heat setting it. Doing that it's in pretty good shape the next day for further steps. You need to prime though, MM won't stick to plastic on it's own worth beans ( most acrylics don't except Liquitex soft body, that does pretty well). For me that's fine because I prime with Badger Stynylrez primers anyway regardless of what the color coat will be... I also scuff body parts further increasing bond.

Anyway, MM acryl lays down and flows out real nice in my experience. And it produces a pretty hard finish when fully cured and put down on a good primer. Again in my experience. Others opinions may vary.

 

Re:  "You need to prime though, MM won't stick to plastic on it's own worth beans"

Amen!   Even brushing MM Acryl --  works well if it's on a primered surface -- otherwise it don't bite.

And when brushing MM Acryl you have to work FAST.  It dries like lightening.

 

[Dave G.]

14 hours ago, Goodwrench3 said:

 

Re:  "You need to prime though, MM won't stick to plastic on it's own worth beans"

Amen!   Even brushing MM Acryl --  works well if it's on a primered surface -- otherwise it don't bite.

And when brushing MM Acryl you have to work FAST.  It dries like lightening.

 

Ya it brushes pretty nice except for free hand pin striping. Better off with traditional enamel for that, at least in my experience, using the right kind of brush and some mineral spirits..

Edited February 3, 2019 by Dave G.

[Intmd8r]

On 2/2/2019 at 8:01 PM, Dave G. said:

Are you spraying the hardware store variety of craft Testors acrylics or Testors Model Master acryl ? I've had great luck with MM and heat setting it. Doing that it's in pretty good shape the next day for further steps. You need to prime though, MM won't stick to plastic on it's own worth beans

I laid down Vallejo primer over a prepped body and let it cure for 3 days (roughly).

Bought Testors Aztek Pearl White, since that is the color I was after and it didn't stick to the primer at all.  Peeled right off!

Only had that issue with that color though, the Copper and Silver pearl  laid down over the same primer without issue.

For my initial project, ended up using Vallejo RAL 9001 (white).  While not the preferred color, buy it laid down smooth and polished to perfection with only two light coats.

Edited February 4, 2019 by Intmd8r

[Dave G.]

1 hour ago, Intmd8r said:

I laid down Vallejo primer over a prepped body and let it cure for 3 days (roughly).

Bought Testors Aztek Pearl White, since that is the color I was after and it didn't stick to the primer at all.  Pealed right off!

Only had that issue with that color though, the Copper and Silver pearl  laid down over the same primer without issue.

For my initial project, ended up using Vallejo RAL 9001 (white).  While not the preferred color, it laid down smooth and polished to perfection with only two light coats.

I'd be curious if it would have stuck to Stynylrez primer, that's the only primer I use anymore.

[rsxse240]

On 1/31/2019 at 9:08 AM, Intmd8r said:

I am in the process of experimenting with Testors Acrylic paint and sharing the some of the frustration in the post.  What has been you experience with curing time?  I know elements like temperature and humidity are a factor, but I'm looking more of a baseline to start with.

The Testors gloss clear takes about 10-30 minutes to dry enough to handle, if you spray thin coats and let them set up between coats.  I have wet sanded as early as one hour after spraying...on very hot/arid days.  I have also wet sanded too early, resulting in stripping the paint, two days later on really humid days.  One thing I suggest is painting a spoon or something to test on, before you ruin your paint job.

 

Using a hairdryer to fast cure your paint will help a lot!  Wet sand in 15 minutes if done properly.  Be careful you don't over-heat the plastic and warp it.