What happened??

crashtech said:
Still smells like solvent after 4 years!? Wow.
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After 4 years and still smells like that, that sounds like improperly mixed catalyst in the clear leading to it never actually curing (drying, but not during).
Improperly cleaned, sanded or sealed would lead to poor adhesion, but those things wouldn't leave the clear smelling like solvent.
 
Looks like trapped solvent caused from rushing one of the steps. Had it happen to me numerous times before I figured it out on my own. Paint reps will never tell you to wait as long between coats or before clear as it takes to get all the solvent out. One company even advertised prime to shine in 20 or 30 minutes. The solvent will come out sooner or later, taking whatever is above it with it.
 
Did you give him the car already sanded? How long between sanding the primer and application of sealer or base?
 
All it is is first coat of base trapped solvents, one of two wasys.
1) using too fast of reducer for the temp at time of painting.
2) or 2nd coat of base was applied to soon and it trapped solvents in first coat.
This time frame tells us solvent trapped in sealer or first coat of base because of time it took to cause a problem.
 
Learn something every day. My breathing paused when i read dark blues.
I based (no primer used on most) my black sapphire caddy & cleared same day, 1/4 of car at a time.
Open garage, south fl heat/humidity.
I base before 2hr lunch/rest break. Can't stay in garage overnight.
 
All I use is slow reducer and activator. When spraying in cooler temps I just wait longer for it to flash. In fact, I am now adding Retarder to the last coat of clear and liking it.
 
'68 Coronet R/T said:
All I use is slow reducer and activator. When spraying in cooler temps I just wait longer for it to flash. In fact, I am now adding Retarder to the last coat of clear and liking it.
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How much Retarder per sprayable qt of UV are you using if you dont mind me asking?
Thanks
 
1-2 ounces per 32 ounces of RTS clear really helps in temps above 75 degrees. I've gone as high as 3 ounces per quart when the temps in the booth are really high (95-100+) That's for all coats not just the last one. If you've never used it better to creep up on the amount you use.
 
Hmm, I never even considered using it on every coat. I thought the idea was for the final coat to melt into the others?
Might give this a try.
 
John Long said:
How far do you guys extend your flash time with the retarter?
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I think it depends a lot on the temperature. On the Cadillac I sprayed, the flow coats got retarder all the way through, 1 oz the first coat, 2oz the second, and 3oz in the third. This was with extra slow hardener. The temperature was around 90, but the humidity was through the roof. I waited 30 minutes between coats and the overspray still didn't want to melt in. Actually left a little dry spray where I ended. I guess I need 2X slow hardener down here:)
 
John for me using it is more about allowing the clearto be functional in very high temps and to spray like it would in "normal" temps. High temps on collision stuff probably only adds a few minutes if that. Collision stuff I wait until I can drag my finger on some tape adjacent to a panel and not have it stick. More normal temps, resto type work, count on doubling your flash time.

I only show this pic because it was 106 degrees in the booth the day I painted this. If I didn't have the retarder it would have been a mess. Euro 2020 3 ounces per 32 0unces RTS
IMG_20160721_191008165.jpg


This one it was right at 100 degrees in the booth the day I shot it. Complete front end and blend into the doors. Euro 2020 around 2.5-3 ounces per 32 ounces RTS. No buffing. Stuff will really save your bacon on a hot day.
IMG_20160726_134315138.jpg
 
Another thing that needs to be taken into consideration is the size of the job. Something more than a couple panels in the summer, retarder REALLY helps. I hide the thermometer in the booth this time of year because I really don't want to know:)
 
Good stuff. Understanding the technoligy and how to deal with the circumstances we run in to is always fascinating to me. I am really missing my time in the shop.

John
 
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