Primer/Painting problem

[ProStr33t]

Ok here is the deal.. i am trying to learn how to spray a body.. i am also getting a little frustrated as I continue to fail miserably.. Today I got some primer.. I sanded the car down, cleaned car with warm water and soap.. Then I placethe primer can in a warm pool of water, then I spray light mist coat, wait 10 minutes, spray 2nd mist coat, I go out to spray the 3rd mist coat 10 minutes later and guess what.. Perfect coating? No not for me.. The primer for some reason is crackling.. Why ??????

Pics of the devestation

Edited August 18, 2009 by ProStr33t

[envious8420]

was this a fresh body or a respray?

what primer did you use?

[ProStr33t]

was a respray.. But I sanded down and cleaned with warm water after the sanding.... The primer is Model Master White primer.... Both are enamel.. The blue is a gloss bright blue and was 10+ years old... The primer is brand new, got it today......

Edited August 18, 2009 by ProStr33t

[ProStr33t]

hmmm interesting... How long should I let the first coat of primer dry? It really isn't even a coat, just a light cover mist right?

[935k3]

Was there allot of humidity? I have had Krylon primer do this when it was humid and probably sprayed it on too thick too fast.

[ProStr33t]

humidity is something I will have to learn to deal with, I am in FL lol.. I will just keep trying.. what should I use to strip the primer off?

[ProStr33t]

Soak it in Castrol Super Clean or equivalent. Just pour it into a container big enough to hold a model body and a few parts,then put your model in and let it soak. After it soaks a day or two,take an old toothbrush and brush the loose paint and primer off. Make sure to use rubber gloves or you will seriously regret it. I know from experience. Oven cleaner can also be used.

K, thanks.. I am really getting frustrated with the whole body painting thing now.. I have no motivation anymore and the body looking good is what would help my motivation.. I decided to go with a different body/kit and now the stupid body is the same color as my primer and I have no clue what kind of coverage I am attaining.. if this doesn't work this time I wont know what to do...... My dad made it look soo easy and I am just losing hope...

[MikeMc]

was a respray.. But I sanded down and cleaned with warm water after the sanding.... The primer is Model Master White primer.... Both are enamel.. The blue is a gloss bright blue and was 10+ years old... The primer is brand new, got it today......

I think your problem is ENAMEL PRIMER!!

Since it is a respray don't give it up yet!! If you do not know what paint was on it then your best bet is a quick dip in the purple pond!

So strip it and then wash in cold water and let dry....I blow it off and hang it up. Once dry You need Tamiya primer..white or grey.

a couple of MIST coats and set it down for a day. now sand or polish till smooth and then cover it with your color. Tamiya primer is $$$ but will do the job for you,and as it is a lacquer it will dry fast...yes you can use enamel as your top color coat over it ....but why ?

PS what is your name?? and where in FL are you?

[E St. Kruiser50]

WELCOME TO MODELING

Painting a model car is one of the most frustrating and difficult steps in this entire hobby.

It'll take you the longest to learn, and challange you every step of the way.

EVERYONE THAT POSTS HERE HAS BEEN THROUGH IT - ME TOO.

But once you master it, you'll find it very rewarding and satisfying.

Just settle yourself down and be assured that given some time and patience, you'll be turning out some quality paint jobs you can be proud of.

I always recommend that newcomers start "DOING SAMPLES" of their painting, on white plastic picnic spoons. Made of styrene like your model kits. They're cheap, come in a big package, and don't hurt when you destroy one or throw one in the garbage

This helps you get familiar with different types of primers and paints, and allows you to get a 'RYTHEM" in your painting style before tackling the "Real Thing", and maybe destroying something un-necessarily.

Don't give up.

You have years of learning to enjoy and plenty of people here to help you, and answer any questions you have.

WELCOME TO THE FORUM.

I HOPE YOU STICK AROUND AND BECOME PART OF OUR FAMILY .

Edited August 18, 2009 by Treehugger Dave

[GOTH KUSTOMS]

Don't give up, or get frustrated, it will take practice man, I've been there more then I few times, with even base coats of color, give the body a good soaking, then a good cleaning, and a good rinse, take your time, its not like you have to build it in a day, after a really good rinse, then a good time to dry, then go from there, a Lil sanding, to give the primer something to hold on to, a light coat of primer, let it sit, go have a soda, work on the frame, the engine, suspension, then check it in about 15 min or so, it should look kinda speckled, dang I don't have anything that's not in full primer, or I would show you, hmmmmmm, well then give it another coat, just enough to kinda cover it, go back to your soda, and work on the other stuff, say give it another 15 or so, now at this point I lightly touch like the rear quarter panel, to see if it's dry to the touch, or leave it for a few days, because I do body work on my builds I use allot of primer, but not that much, but enough, all this will take practice man, and YOU will get it down, your dad didn't learn it over night, he learned how to do the paint over time too, thru trial and error, now some people would say my way aint the right way but it does work for me, but I would get yourself a bag of plastic spoons from the dollar store, and some plastic for sale signs, and practice,

When you get frustrated all you do is is get deeper into a mistake, and then you dont want to go any farther, step away from it for a few, and work on another part of the build, like I said my friend, you dont have to build it over night, take your time, relax and enjoy it, you will like the end results better, and remember practice.

PS I myself use Dupli-Color sandable primer from the parts store....

Edited August 18, 2009 by unforgiven

[ProStr33t]

Thanks.. i am currently painting an S 281 saleen and the primer coats went great !! apllying color now.... I am a perfectionist so i tend to get flustered when it doesn't go right hehe..

[Jon Cole]

IMHO, enamel primer is good for only one thing...

Throwing it out!

Lacquer is chemically "hotter" then enamel. It's OK to spray lacquer or enamel OVER lacquer primer...

NEVER put enamel primer down, and try to top coat with anything hot like lacquer.

So invest in some good automotive primers such as Dupli-Color, or Plasti-Kote.

Also, LACQUER primer by Tamiya and Testors are good stuff.

The thing about Testors, I can imagine some getting confused and grapping a can of their enamel primer, instead of their lacquer primer. BEWARE of that!