What tall can paints are safe?

[fantacmet]

Ok so I'm not looking really to do bodywork here(though I might from time to time), but the old standby's the hardware store stuff, Krylon, homesense, dutchboy, etc. They all just craze the plastic.

Now I have no problems using Testors, or Tamiya paints on the body's, and interiors, but painting that many chassis with model paint is more money than I can afford to fork out.

So what works and is broadly available? I'm in Oregon.

[gtx6970]

the cheap stuff at my local auto parts store ,,,I think its Duplicolor

[DrGlueblob]

Duplicolor, Plasti-Kote are good.

[Snake45]

Now I have no problems using Testors, or Tamiya paints on the body's, and interiors, but painting that many chassis with model paint is more money than I can afford to fork out.

So what works and is broadly available? I'm in Oregon.

I know exactly what you mean. I've been playing with Krylon Satin Black and Gloss Black for chassis. They both craze plastic.

However, shoot them over cheap Walmart Color Place Gray Primer and they're okay. The Satin Black is pretty flat, and the Gloss Black is sort of semigloss black. Both will work for chassis stuff.

[Mike_G]

Plasti-Kote automotive primer will hold up to even R/C car paint.

Are you going to the OSSM show in Clackamas on Saturday?

[Snake45]

Plasti-Kote automotive primer will hold up to even R/C car paint.

It's good stuff except for it comes out pebbly and has to be sanded smooth. Fortunately it sands magnificently with #800 Wetordry, used wet.

[fantacmet]

The walmart stuff might be just what I'm looking for since I'm looking mostly interior and chassis stuff here.

I would love to hit up clackamas, but we are losing 1300 a month in income so I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to grab a can of paint or two, and thank god I have a bit of a stock built up here to be able to build for awhile. Granted everything has been started, but at least it will FORCE me to finish some projects if I want to keep building. I nee a better job. LOL

[Mike_G]

It's good stuff except for it comes out pebbly and has to be sanded smooth. Fortunately it sands magnificently with #800 Wetordry, used wet.

I always sand primer anyway, so that's a non-issue for me.

I would love to hit up clackamas, but we are losing 1300 a month in income so I'm not going anywhere.

Ouch! Hope things turn around for you.

[impcon]

The problem may be that you are laying the paint on too heavily. I use lacquer primer ( automotive from NAPA ) and while lacquer is damaging to plastic when applied too heavily, I mist it on very lightly in dust coats allowing lots of time ( 15 - 20 minutes or even more ) between coats for the thinners to evaporate. Before applying the colour coats, I will give it several days even though the thinners should be gone long before that. Once the surface of the plastic is all gray, then I apply it a bit heavier but still sparingly for the first two coats, making the third one my finish coat. I have used lacquer primer under automotive urethane, acrylic enamel, synthetic enamel and even base/clear. I'd suggest experimenting on a junk body and see what happens. Once the primer is on, the surface colour coats should not harm the plastic. Just an idea....

[impcon]

I always sand primer anyway, so that's a non-issue for me.

Ouch! Hope things turn around for you.

I second those wishes - been where you are several times and I am there again. It hurts to go backwards and live a lifestyle that is less than that which you have worked hard to achieve. I truly wish you better days ahead - real soon! I try to hang on to some beliefs and the words "This too shall pass".