clear coat help..

**98maro** · 08-08-2012, 10:29 PM

i need some help guys,, i painted a rear panel i had laying around just for fun, it looks pretty good imo, but i have noticed that after a week the clear coat still fresh..if i touch with the nail or something it gets scratched.. i tried to scratched it with my nail and the clear coat comes of.. so i dont know if i used the wrong stuff or something, its a rustoleum "crystal clear enamel" i noticed they have another one called "gloss protective enamel" im i using the wrong clear? when i went to buy it at the auto parts thats what they gave me!
i sanded everything, primer, painted black, waited 20-30 mins for clear coat 2-3, did i miss any step?
i dont wanna use duplicolor bc lamost everyone on the internet says it turns yellow after few days....

reason i wanna learn is bc i wanna paint my rims gloss black... so i never done this before.. thanks for the help!

**98TransAmWs-6** · 08-09-2012, 07:57 AM

I have used dupli-color acrylic enamel and it works great. It hasn't yellowed at all but I wax the stuff I used it on for extra protection. I painted my vents on my fenders with it plus my interior trim pieces. Do you sand in between coats unless it looks fine? I wait at least an hour in between coats just to be sure.

**98maro** · 08-09-2012, 11:15 AM

Thanks for the replie.
I did the coats every 15-20 min.
Maybe that was the problem. But still it's a week After.
I also did the wet sanding and buff two days later. It looks good but still feels fresh.
Which clear coat you guys recommend for the wheels?

**Firebirdjones** · 08-09-2012, 11:52 AM

Are you using stuff in a rattle can?

I assume you are, that stuff doesn't have the hardeners in it that your better quality mixed paints that you shoot from a gun will.

If you are painting anything that is going to be in the weather at all, harsh elements, sunshine etc....I wouldn't use a rattle can.

To do it right you'll need to hit a paint store, buy the paint and clear along with your hardeners and reducers, mix it and shoot it from a gun. You'll get a better quality finish that will last for years and years.

***SMWS6TA*** · 08-09-2012, 12:10 PM

^^

I have to agree on that.

When I did my FRC's I wish now I went to a painter and have them hit it with the good stuff.

I did a good job via rattle can but it took a week for the clear to harden enough before I could install them on the car again.

**Smittro** · 08-09-2012, 12:50 PM

Rustoleum rattle can paints take forever to dry. Just how they are.

I use the stuff near the engine and automotive paints, (can't remember the name off hand) it's like 8-12 bucks a can.

But it's designed for automotive use, and not a rustoleum product.

I stopped painting anything with crap-o-leum 20+ years ago because I just don't like their products and waiting for their paints to dry.

Also rustoleum paints got the name "rust-o-leum" because it contains rust inhiditors(sp) and generally does'nt like to be mixed with non-rustoleum paints.