Paint not drying ... some thoughts on why?

[Foxer]

There was a recent thread on almost this same problem but I was unable to find it, so please bear with me as I ask.

I painted a body using Krylon Indoor/Outdoor gloss Leather Brown. It went over some Duplicolor Sandable Primer which I always use. I have used this paint combo before as It was a base for a weathering job, so I feel it's not a paing compatibility issue. Both paints were applied from a spray can and were fully shaken before use.

The problem is, it has been almost two weeks and the paint still has a slightly tacky feel to it.

I paint in the basement where the temperature is 65F and the humidity is 20% as I have a dehumidifer.

I know there isn't enough info to know exactly what is going on, but I was just looking for a discussion on what might have gone wrong from those with more painting knowldge than I.

[vintagestang]

First of all it needs to be warmer and make sure you didn't use epoxy paint.

[Foxer]

I really don't know 100% what Krylon Indoor/Outdoor is. I would assume either Lacquer or Enamal, but I know it is not an epoxy. I have searched Krylon's site but they are pretty mum about what their paints are classified as.

I know it would be nice to have 70F or more for temps, it does say on the can that 50F to 80F is what this paint wants. Most all paint is ok at 50F or more, though higher will definatly let it flow better.

Te body has been upstairs in 72F heat for half of it's drying time, about a week now. I should also mention that I painted the chassic/floor pan a day later with the same paint ... over and undercoat. .. and that has dried fine. This has jsut exasperated me.

Thanks for you response, Patrick .. you got me thinking about a few things.

Edited January 16, 2012 by Foxer

[jeffs396]

It's NOT epoxy out of a spray can Mike, two parts make up an epoxy.

I've had a few issues with Krylon not drying as fast as I'd like, but it did dry eventually (two weeks or so!)

[62rebel]

i had the Rustoleum primer issues recently; i don't know why the one job went wobbly and another went a-okay.... the F350 simply would not dry, the primer would actually smear when touched; while the '55 gasser dried hard as glass and now has a beautiful coat of lacquer and clearcoat on it.

there is a one-part epoxy Rustoleum, it is definitely not good for doing models as it is thick and not "hobby friendly"... it creates horrendous overspray and it stinks like hogan's goat.

[935k3]

Krylon changed their formula a few years back. It was a good quality acrylic Laquer. It's now a pretty crappy Enamel. You can still get the old formula at Micheal's Crafts. It only comes in gloss white and gloss black. The label says Krylon Specialty Laquer. The new stuff is garbage compared to the old formula. I was told it was changed for enviromental(big surprise)reasons. If you search the net you can find other colors, It is labeled as Industrial Use.

[vintagestang]

Appliance epoxy is not made of two parts. Get a Workforce light on stands they put out heat and leave it directly on the car.

[Dave Ambrose]

Sounds like it's time for a "bake box." Take a low wattage work light. The fluorescent types work well. put it in a cardboard box with the model and turn it on. Close the box and wait. I find that the paint hardens within a few days.

Hopefully, you'll get the same results I do.

[stulee11]

i have never used that type of paint... but when i am spraying i always use rattle cans and i always use a hairdryer... i warm up the model prior to paint then as soon as i have layed the paint down i hit it with the dryer again just to get it hot enought for the paint to be touch dry... then leave it for a few days and i have never had a problem with that way.

[VW Dave]

I had a similar thing happen a few years ago when painting my VolksRod; Rustoleum satin paint stayed kinda tacky for a few days, and I was afraid to strip it for fear of having to re-do all the body work....a dose of Testors DullCote cleared that drying problem up pretty quick.

[RickRollerLT1]

Sounds like the primer underneath your using is causing some kind of reaction when the Krylon is being applied. I almost allways had this issue when I used the Colorplace primer and even krylons own primer! When I made the switch to sears primer, this problem never happened and the paint, even ontop od the colorplace colors, allways dired rock hard after a day ina half.

Krylon's new fourmula is garbage compared to the old formula.

True to a certian extent, but no were near as horrid as those Testors enamal sprays! Krylon's colors can still be used if using a different brand primer, color coat, and clear with it. If using krylons primer and clear products, then your in for a living hell!

When Testors changed their fourmula in their enamal sprays about 6 yrs ago, the quality drasticly went down. Believe me when I mention I tested out spraying a new (crica 2007) can of Testors Orange on a bare plastic part and a primered one, and comparing the resoluts with another part/s sprayed with an older (crica 1995) can of the same color. (both cans were warmed up) With the new can, it spat out some orange and white stuff, made it bubbly, and gave it a flat orange-peely serface. While the older can gave it a nice serface with mild orange peel. IIRC, my dad paid $2.50 for that back in the day, while the new can I got was $5.99 but "costed" $3.50 with a discount (thank god!)

[Foxer]

Thanks to everyone for their comments. The drying has seemed to have moved along some since it's been upstairs in the heat, but not completly yet. I may just take a few of the suggestions on how to speed it along. At least I'm better educatuted on simular occurances others have had.