Splash Paints issue

[Dave Toups]

Last weekend I painted a few parts with some paints from Splash Paints. It didn't go well. I primed all the parts with Duplicolor Automotive White sandable primer. It was my first time using this primer and it went on very well with no visible crazing at all. When I tried to spray the paint over it, however, it didn't seem to cover well and showed quite a bit of light crazing when it dried. Any ideas what I might have done wrong? It was my first time using this paint and I've heard good things about it.

[gman]

Compatibility is not always a given when using one primer and a basecoat from another supplier. There are variables, too, like whether the primer coat had fully cured, and whether your basecoat was applied in thin enough coats that were allowed to properly flash off before additional coats, or whether the amount of color laid down was too "hot" for the primer.

Lacquers mechanically bond to undercoats by having the solvent soften underlying layers- if there is too much solvent in your first several coats, it can/will react with the primer. It may take some experimentation to get good results with your chosen paint/primer combo. Try spraying thinner coats of color, and building it up very slowly with ample drying time between layers. Do some spoon tests- try some sprayouts over your Duplicolor primer, and other primers to see which is most compatible. If you lay down too much paint too quickly, most lacquers will react with your primer, or worse, with the underlying plastic as the solvents leach down. One of the biggest benefits of lacquers is how quickly they dry, so making sure your undercoats are dry before recoating is key, keeping those solvents to a minimum.

[Rich Chernosky]

I have recently sprayed several models with no problems.  I don't use primer.  First couple coats are sprayed at hi pressure and low nozzle. Let it dry at least 10min in between coats and once you have a fairly solid color you can lower the pressure and open the nozzle. The final two coats are wet. Splash does not dry to a very hi shine and often it looks like there are imperfections in the paint.   2K clear is the recommended clear coat and any imperfections in the paint disappear once the clear is applied.