Drying times VS evaporation rates...

[slyhog22056]

Got a question that has been on my mind and need some advise before i paint my datsun. I am shooting single stage acrylic enamel base coat, then 2 coats of pearl and then my clearcoat. I have shot test panels with each seperately the acrylic enamel stays somewhat soft for over 4 days, soft meaning if i sand it it still balls up and clogs 320 wet paper. The clearcoat is completely dry and hard after 2 days and when sanded with 320 wet it sands normal. OK.... If i shoot the clear over the acrylic ename and the clear dries before the topcoat is there going to be a problem with the topcoat popping off the clear???? I am using the same reducer for both topcoat and clear, and using the hardener that came with the acrylic enamel paint. the clear doesnt have a hardner for it.

[Len]

Got a question that has been on my mind and need some advise before i paint my datsun. I am shooting single stage acrylic enamel base coat, then 2 coats of pearl and then my clearcoat. I have shot test panels with each seperately the acrylic enamel stays somewhat soft for over 4 days, soft meaning if i sand it it still balls up and clogs 320 wet paper. The clearcoat is completely dry and hard after 2 days and when sanded with 320 wet it sands normal. OK.... If i shoot the clear over the acrylic ename and the clear dries before the topcoat is there going to be a problem with the topcoat popping off the clear???? I am using the same reducer for both topcoat and clear, and using the hardener that came with the acrylic enamel paint. the clear doesnt have a hardner for it.

Are all the materials you are using made to be used together? It sounds like the single stage enamel is not the recommended base for the products you're using.

[slyhog22056]

The paint can, and tech sheet just says it can be clearcoated, doesnt givve any flash times between base and clear, the tech sheet does say allow 15 minutes to an hour between coats for its application, just worried the clear will evaproate and dry trapping the still partially soft base coat underneath causing problems in the long run.

[Len]

The paint can, and tech sheet just says it can be clearcoated, doesnt givve any flash times between base and clear, the tech sheet does say allow 15 minutes to an hour between coats for its application, just worried the clear will evaproate and dry trapping the still partially soft base coat underneath causing problems in the long run.

Are the products made by the same manufacturer?

Having products that are not made to be used together throws a lot of variables into the work and it can be difficult to determine how to use them together and difficult to predict the outcome.