58 Impala

[Zippi]

I think your 58 came out great.  Hang in there as we all have issues from time to time like you had.  Don't ask me how I know.  

[Dave Darby]

On 5/22/2020 at 9:00 AM, randyc said:

Yes, unfortunately stuff like that happens.  Welcome to the board.  This one might be a candidate fo the "purple pond" for a stripping and staring over on the body paint.   I have two in the bath now trying to get them back to bare plastic.  And I've been doing this for like 45 years.   Sometimes it just happens.  HPI GUY has a good video on you tube about spray painting with cheap paints.  

 

 

Tip one.  Never use cheap spray paint. Tip 2. Dont mix brands. Tip 3. Test any paint you are going to use on a plastic spoon (you can buy these cheap at WalMart). If there is going to be a problem or a reaction, better to find out on a cheap spoon than an expensive model kit. Tip 4. Pick up a food dehydrator.  They are good for both heating your paint, and quick drying your models. Tip 5. A clear coat followed by Pledge is overkill. You end up with the "dipped in syrup" look. If you have a decent clear coat (or basecoat, for that matter) you won't need Pledge.

This one is Testors Gloss Black enamel, no clear.

[randyc]

16 hours ago, Dave Darby said:

Tip one.  Never use cheap spray paint. Tip 2. Dont mix brands. Tip 3. Test any paint you are going to use on a plastic spoon (you can buy these cheap at WalMart). If there is going to be a problem or a reaction, better to find out on a cheap spoon than an expensive model kit. Tip 4. Pick up a food dehydrator.  They are good for both heating your paint, and quick drying your models. Tip 5. A clear coat followed by Pledge is overkill. You end up with the "dipped in syrup" look. If you have a decent clear coat (or basecoat, for that matter) you won't need Pledge.

This one is Testors Gloss Black enamel, no clear.

Pick up a GOOD dehydrator.   I was gifted a cheap one that runs at 165 degrees and non adjustable.   Way too hot - when I use it, I leave the lid off or adjust the lid to keep the temps down.   And never leave the plastic in there unwatched.   I used to have one that I'd throw the plastic in and let it go unsupervised for days.  I wore it out.   New one, no way.  

Spoons ok, if you trust that the plastic is same enough as kit - good for color testing - I don't trust them for compatibility.  

I've mixed brands and used cheap paint for years.   And yes you are taking a chance there, for sure.  Do so at your own risk.  Also I've bought a new can of something I've used for years and the mfr might change the formulation, which throws your paint job out the window anyway.  

And the kits I referred to in the purple pond?  One did not strip and other took a long dang time to get all the parts clean.  I built the one that paint wouldn't strip as a barn find Morgan and the other I haven't been back around to and it's been well over a year.

Nice finish Dave.

[Dave Darby]

3 hours ago, randyc said:

Pick up a GOOD dehydrator.   I was gifted a cheap one that runs at 165 degrees and non adjustable.   Way too hot - when I use it, I leave the lid off or adjust the lid to keep the temps down.   And never leave the plastic in there unwatched.   I used to have one that I'd throw the plastic in and let it go unsupervised for days.  I wore it out.   New one, no way.  

Spoons ok, if you trust that the plastic is same enough as kit - good for color testing - I don't trust them for compatibility.  

I've mixed brands and used cheap paint for years.   And yes you are taking a chance there, for sure.  Do so at your own risk.  Also I've bought a new can of something I've used for years and the mfr might change the formulation, which throws your paint job out the window anyway.  

And the kits I referred to in the purple pond?  One did not strip and other took a long dang time to get all the parts clean.  I built the one that paint wouldn't strip as a barn find Morgan and the other I haven't been back around to and it's been well over a year.

Nice finish Dave.

Definitely use a quality dehydrator. Mine has an adjustable temperature setting. I run mine as long as needed between 120 and 125. 

Great Value white plastic spoons seem to be pretty close in composition to the kit plastic.  Using them as a test mule also lets you know if your paint finishes are going to react with each other. 

I'm not a fan of Rustoleum on models. It takes too long to dry. I've never figured out how HPI Chris makes that stuff work when it's still soft three days later. 

I won't say I never use cheap stuff, but I always test it on something expendable first.

Edited July 29, 2021 by Dave Darby